Strategic Land Acquisition & Warehouse Construction
In 2021, Vogten Staal made a pivotal move by purchasing a 57,000m² plot in Maastricht. This acquisition was part of a long-term strategic plan to expand the company’s processing capacity & logistical strength. On this expansive terrain, the company built a mammoth 38,000m² warehouse—purposefully designed to accommodate next-generation steel processing lines, increase storage capabilities & streamline internal operations.
The layout of the new warehouse is tailored for heavy-duty industrial activities, offering ample space for machinery, storage, and efficient product flow. The remaining 19,000m² of the plot provides space for vehicle movement, raw material stocking, and future capacity expansion, reflecting forward-thinking industrial planning.
Slitting Lines from Italy's Novastilmec: Precision & Productivity
A major highlight of the new facility is the installation of two cutting-edge slitting lines sourced from Novastilmec, an Italian firm celebrated for its expertise in strip cutting machinery. These lines are designed to process hot rolled coils ranging from 1.5mm to 12mm thickness, enabling high-speed, high-precision slicing tailored to various industrial needs.
These lines are equipped with modern automation, edge-trimming, and coil handling technology. The inclusion of such systems means minimal downtime, improved safety, and excellent edge quality—critical for clients in automotive, shipbuilding, and engineering sectors. Full commissioning of these lines is expected by the end of 2025, with trial runs already showing high efficiency.
Pickling Line: Surface Perfection for Thick Steel
Further fortifying its machinery arsenal, Vogten Staal is installing a pickling line specifically engineered for steel strips up to 20mm thick. Pickling is the chemical removal of oxides and mill scale from the surface of hot rolled steel, making it smoother, cleaner & better for downstream processes like welding, painting, or coating.
This pickling line is a push-pull type, offering flexibility in coil handling & faster turnaround. With it, the company not only enhances product quality but also reduces its dependence on external suppliers for surface-treated steel—adding vertical integration to its operations.
Comprehensive Machinery Suite for Massive Throughput
Upon completion of all upgrades, Vogten Staal’s dual-facility infrastructure will be capable of processing well over 1 million metric tons of steel per year. This throughput figure places it in the upper echelon of European steel service centres. The machine ensemble will include:
• Three cut-to-length lines (handling steel from 1.85mm to 26mm thick) for high-accuracy sheet production
• Two push-pull pickling lines (1.85mm–20mm) for premium surface finishing
• One slitting line (1.5mm–12mm) for narrow strip processing
• Four shears (cutting up to 15mm thick steel) for custom sheet sizes & industrial applications
Each line is connected to a central warehouse logistics system, integrating storage, material flow, and dispatching to reduce lag time between processing stages.
Multi-Shift Operation & Historical Output Growth
Between 2018 and 2024, Vogten Staal successfully increased output at its original warehouse by 60%. This milestone was not achieved through technology alone, but also by revamping human resource allocation. The company introduced a three-shift system for both cutting & pickling lines, while operating the slitting line with an extended shift.
This model of continuous production has proven effective, boosting output while keeping quality standards high. It also enabled the company to remain agile in serving customer needs amid fluctuating demand patterns in the European steel market.
Specialisation in Hot Rolled Coil & Thick Gauge Excellence
A defining characteristic of Vogten Staal’s business model is its focus on hot rolled coil, especially in high-thickness ranges up to 20mm. This is a technically demanding segment, requiring robust machinery, skilled handling, and sophisticated surface treatment. By centring its operation on this niche, Vogten Staal has built a reputation for reliability and strength in supplying industries that require heavy-duty steel—such as infrastructure, transport, defence & energy.
This high-gauge specialisation is rare among steel service centres, and the latest investments are aligned with reinforcing this competitive edge. Unlike thinner-gauge markets that face saturation, thick coil applications are growing in tandem with European infrastructure projects.
Sustainable Practices & Future Readiness
Vogten Staal’s expansion is not just about volume—it’s also about sustainability. By bringing pickling in-house, it reduces logistics emissions & improves traceability of its steel. Automation across slitting & shearing ensures material efficiency, minimises waste, and improves energy consumption.
With ample space remaining on its Maastricht plot, the company has left room for future tech installations, such as AI-driven quality inspection or carbon-footprint-tracking systems. These innovations will help Vogten Staal meet tightening EU environmental regulations while continuing to expand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Vogten Staal expanded by acquiring a 57,000m² site in Maastricht in 2021.
• Built a 38,000m² state-of-the-art steel processing warehouse on-site.
• Installed two new slitting lines from Italian manufacturer Novastilmec.
• Slitting lines support hot rolled coil from 1.5mm to 12mm thickness.
• A new pickling line is being installed for steel strips up to 20mm thick.
• Final capacity expected to surpass 1 million metric tons annually.
• Total machine suite includes:
o 3 cut-to-length lines (1.85–26mm)
o 2 push-pull pickling lines (1.85–20mm)
o 1 slitting line (1.5–12mm)
o 4 shears (up to 15mm)
• Original warehouse increased output by 60% from 2018–2024 via three-shift operations.
• Company specialises in thick hot rolled coil (up to 20mm), a challenging niche.
• Focused on sustainability, vertical integration, & future technology-readiness.
• Reinforces Vogten Staal’s stature as a premier European steel service provider.
