A trajectory that began 25 years ago: Concrete vault manufacturer continues to grow strongly thanks to digitization and automation

Fingo, with its headquarters in Malle, has grown in nearly 80 years to become a major player in the production of prestressed and reinforced vaults. 25 years ago, it partnered with i-Theses in Lokeren to automate its processes. A wise decision, in retrospect. With the current manager Gert Van Cauwenbergh, the third generation is at the helm at Fingo and the company already has four branches in Belgium as well as a sales office in the Netherlands and Germany.

Van Cauwenbergh: "It started quite modestly with an i-Theses drawing program for drawing up our laying plans. Systemmatically, the automation was further expanded and currently all production-related processes are controlled with i-Theses software modules. Only purchasing and accounting are not included. Each further development was initiated from a concrete question from our side. Whenever a problem or bottleneck arose in the administration of our production process, we asked Rony Verlee of i-Theses whether a software solution could be devised. This close, practical and solution-oriented cooperation has undeniably given our company a significant competitive advantage."

All stages of production at Fingo are linked together by software, which means that data only needs to be entered once, lead times are becoming shorter and shorter, and the 100% paperless office is becoming more and more established. It also reduces the risk of errors and production losses. Rony Verlee, manager of i-Theses: "Fingo works with both AutoFloor and PlanDesk modules that ensure a smooth and controllable production flow. Specifically, these are PreCastOffice with ProjectManager for project management and follow-up, CapacityPlanner for reservation, production planning and quality control and a logistics module for chartering, delivery and stock management. The combination of these ensures perfect automation at the level of management, design and production and guarantees the exchange of vital data with production machines."

A large number of PlanDesk applications are already ready for web-based use, allowing work to be done from any device, any place and any time, he says. "The collaboration with Fingo is an ongoing process based on constant feedback, ensuring that we are always on the ball. For accounting, Fingo works with a separate program that is fed with export files generated by our software."

Fingo found in i-Theses an experienced and reliable partner for its automation and digitization. For more than 25 years, i-Theses has been developing PreCastOffice, the leading software program for the design of precast elements in reinforced and prestressed concrete and for the automation of related business processes. Its BIM, CAD and Planning solutions are used in more than 20 countries, by leading precast concrete manufacturers.

Fingo is not only concerned with automation and digitization. The company is also fully committed to sustainability, through its own windmill, among other things. In this context, it also obtained the Silver CSC certificate for sustainability and responsible origin of concrete, zero-loss status, BREEAM recognition and the ISO 14001 certificate. The focus, growth and working methodology earned Gert Van Cauwenbergh the title of "Antwerp Young Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2021.