Versa Line UN.O. – the new production heart of Augustinus

With the installation of the new Versa Line CC UN.O., Augustinus Prefab Wapeningsstaal takes a strategic step toward production independence by choosing Schnell as its partner. Schnell is a company specialized in the design of versatile plants for the production of welded mesh and software solutions for the integrated management of production processes.

The goal was not simply to increase capacity but to strengthen control over the supply chain, reduce dependence on external suppliers, and equip the company with a production plant capable of rapidly adapting to market demands, reinforcing its leadership in the Dutch reinforcing steel market.

From construction company to reinforcement logistics hub

Augustinus Prefab Wapeningsstaal was founded by Teo Augustinus in 1994 as a concrete construction company, with a strong focus on residential and commercial building in the Netherlands. In 1998, the entry of Niek Augustinus marked a phase of expansion and consolidation. The initial activities included complete concrete projects such as housing complexes, industrial buildings, basements, and floors, mainly in the central region of the country.

From direct experience on construction sites, a structural need gradually emerged: ensuring a reliable supply of reinforcing steel. What initially began as an internal supply gradually developed into an independent business unit. After the 2008 financial crisis, which strongly affected the construction sector and led several market players to exit the industry, the company identified new opportunities as a flexible, project‑oriented supplier.

The strategy has been based on targeted investments in machinery capable of efficiently managing small, customized orders. Today, Augustinus supplies approximately 165,000 tonnes of steel per year, with an estimated market share of 28-29% in the Netherlands. Every day, up to 100 orders are processed and delivered to as many addresses, thanks to the company’s own transport fleet.

The operating model is based on a continuous flow of small, recurring orders with a low average order size. This constant flow of repeat orders ensures the company’s stability. As Jan Keuken, Operational Manager, explains: “Our model is based on many recurring orders. This is how we build stability.”

Speed, reliability, and integrated management make the company a true reinforcement logistics hub, capable of receiving raw material, processing it internally, and delivering it as a complete package within two or three working days.

The need for a technological leap

The decision to invest in a new machine for welded mesh production was driven by precise strategic needs. The growing demand for mesh up to 12 meters long and intermediate diameters such as 7 and 9 mm, combined with the saturation of internal production capacity and the instability of delivery times and prices from external suppliers, made a structural investment necessary.

The goals were clear: reduce dependence on external suppliers for a large series of special mesh, overcome instability in delivery times and prices, address saturated internal production capacity, meet the growing demand for longer mesh, and maintain flexibility for small batches. However, the choice could not be based on speed alone.

“We were not looking for the fastest machine on the market,” explains Keuken. “We were looking for a solution capable of adapting to our orders, with reduced changeover times and operational continuity. It had to be a plant that would work with us, not one that imposed rigidity.”

The strategic choice: why Schnell

After evaluating three suppliers, Augustinus selected Schnell for a combination of technical and strategic factors. “The difference was the overall system,” says Keuken. “It is not just the welding. It is the mesh package management, the integration with the software, traceability, bundling and labelling. It is a complete system.”

The balance between performance and power connection requirements was also decisive, particularly in the presence of high peak loads during welding.

The presence of integrated bundling and labelling functions, together with the possibility of integrating the system with the company’s management software, further strengthened the decision. The goal was not simply to purchase a machine, but to integrate a production plant capable of growing together with the company.

Versa Line: evolution of welded mesh production

The plant installed at Augustinus is a Versa Line CC UN.O., a technological evolution in welded mesh production designed to ensure versatility, productivity and consistent quality.

Designed to guarantee maximum flexibility, it combines advanced straightening technologies, flexible pitch configurations, and automation solutions that allow rapid switching from one mesh type to another without long set‑up times. In a production environment characterized by many medium-small orders, this capability represents a decisive competitive advantage.

Mesh package management is integrated directly from the technical office, ensuring continuity between design and production. The Top & Bottom welding capability increases design freedom and contributes to maintaining constant product quality.

Every detail of the plant has been designed to optimize energy consumption, process flow, and layout. The compact configuration makes it possible to maximize the available space and integrate the plant into the existing production hall without compromising operational efficiency.

Energy integration and layout optimization

The introduction of the Versa Line CC UN.O. required a revision of the energy infrastructure. During welding, significant power peaks occur. To manage them, Augustinus implemented approximately 6 megawatts of battery storage capacity, of which 2.5 megawatts are dedicated specifically to the new line. The batteries, also charged using solar energy, absorb peak loads and guarantee stable operation.

From a logistical point of view, the installation was designed in an extremely compact way. The machine, which in a linear configuration can extend for dozens of meters, was integrated using every available square meter. Transformers, air tanks and cooling systems were positioned in elevated areas to free up floor space. Output, bundling and labelling stations are partially located outside in a dedicated area.

Experience also highlighted an important aspect for future projects: ventilation and dust extraction systems should be included from the start, as high‑speed straightening and wire processing generate more dust than expected.

Results: autonomy, capacity and control

The investment produced tangible benefits both from a production and a commercial perspective. With the introduction of the Versa Line CC UN.O., Augustinus has fully internalized the production of a large series of mesh up to 12 meters.

The company now has greater control over delivery times, pricing, and planning, reducing dependence on external suppliers and freeing up capacity on existing lines.

“The real difference is control,” emphasizes Keuken. “We can plan more precisely and react faster. That makes us stronger in the market.” The flexibility of the Versa Line CC UN.O. allows the company to maintain high responsiveness even with highly variable orders.

A shared long‑term vision

The investment in the Versa Line is part of a broader strategy based on digitalization, automation, and sustainability. Schnell, with its experience both in production plants and management software solutions, fits into this vision as a technological partner aligned with the industrial path of Augustinus.

With the introduction of the Versa Line, Augustinus Prefab Wapeningsstaal has transformed a production need into a strategic competitive advantage and further strengthened its leadership in the Dutch reinforcing steel market.

When asked whether he would recommend Schnell, Jan Keuken concludes with a big smile: “Yes, to everyone. Except our Dutch competitors.”