Webshop in concrete reinforcement

Quick and easy rebar and accessories ordering is now possible through the website Betonstaal.nl, a unique online platform especially for custom products. Due to the short delivery times, the articles are quickly at their destination. Super easy for the business market, but also for individuals.

"We are the only ones in the world who work like this," says co-founder and owner Arie van Wijngaarden proudly. Together with his brother, he founded the company five years ago. "And it runs like a train! You enter your products on our site, a price/quote comes up immediately. After placing them in the shopping basket, you complete the order and a few days later you receive everything at the indicated location in the Netherlands or Belgium. Very accessible, couldn't be simpler! Everything from rebar and building steel mats to concrete reinforcement. Whether the customer orders reinforcement baskets and cutting racks or single, composite or welded products, it's all possible."

Betonstaal.nl - stainless steel reinforcing steel is also part of the product range. (Image: Suzanne Heikoop | SHe Photography)

The items come from different manufacturers and are also transported by multiple parties. Van Wijngaarden: "Because we are not dependent on one production location and transporter, we function as a sales channel that can serve customers very quickly. For example, if someone needs something at extremely short notice, they approach our customer service department. We then see which parties we can best use for this. Unburdening the customer is what it's all about!"

Transparent
Customers, predominantly small to medium-sized contractors, as well as interior designers and even artists, can order products and accessories for floors and walls primarily for residential construction, and for barns and basements. Soon articles for commercial construction will also be offered through the site. "In doing so, we are very transparent, what you see is what you get! The great thing is that beyond the standard mats, everything is customized and of a constant level. Because we use different software packages and links, we can work out the reinforcement digitally. We do this for all types of construction projects, from simple to complex. Production is controlled directly by various data export programs such as BVBS or  PXML. The result is faster and error-free order processing," Van Wijngaarden said.

New developments
And developments are rapidly following. The company increasingly receives requests from contractors for engineering help. "They send us their 2D drawings. Using our software, we quickly convert these into 3D drawings and the assembly plan for the various parties involved. Then the contractor can immediately order the supplies through our site. For simple foundations, contractors will soon only need to enter data on our website, such as thickness, height and so on. With those parameters, both standard solutions and customizations will be calculated automatically. Fast and customer-friendly."

Also, Betonstaal.nl is increasingly becoming a knowledge platform, which is also the company's ambition. Because of the conservative nature of the concrete reinforcement industry, the knowledge about it is in danger of disappearing. By digitizing all that information, the company aims to become an authority in this regard as well.

Yet the most important thing of all is still in the making: real-time visualization. Van Wijngaarden: "So that you immediately see how everything is going to be. So we are working on many innovative developments. All with the aim of being able to offer customized solutions, with a clear ordering process, optimal production and fast logistics. But despite this Bol.com way of working, we are and remain that trusted 'steel shop around the corner' for everything!" 

Text | Irene Teunissen   Image | Concretesteel.com
Featured image: Betonstaal.nl - 3D rendering of reinforcement. (Image: Suzanne Heikoop | SHe Photography)