Article Parketplein: 'We have a lot to show'

At Overmat Industries, we are at the beginning of a new year filled with ambitious plans and positive energy. Jeroen van Oversteeg looks ahead optimistically to 2024 in an interview with Jos Krijnen (Parketplein). In a recent article on Parketplein.nl, Jeroen shares our plans for new products and the relaunch of the Floorservice Academy. Keep reading to discover what Overmat & Floorservice have to offer in the world of floor finishing and the initiatives we will unfold this year.

‘We have a lot to show’

With the start of the new year, Overmat Industries in Waspik has also developed several new plans. "We look forward to a great 2024," says Jeroen van Oversteeg. "Of course, there is a lot of dynamism in the world again, as now with the increased container prices due to the situation in the Middle East. It's a given that we have to deal with in these unpredictable times. But around us, I see vans coming and going; renovations are definitely taking place. Although new construction is still a concern, I expect that the deferred demand for floors will eventually be caught up."

Overmat has many new initiatives in store for this year. For instance, it will revive its Floorservice Academy. "We recently did an Academy with Obtego products, which are used on natural stone and concrete, and it worked out well for us. That's why we decided to pick up the Floorservice Academy again this year. There is a great need for training and education within the industry. And here in Waspik, we have a lot to show. In addition to our finishing products and sanding machines, we have a lot of expertise. Specialists who can guide industry peers in all aspects of floor finishing. We have a lot to share, not only regarding the products but also in terms of solving problems in practical situations and providing assistance.

Jeroen van Oversteeg: "We are busy with the development of new products, and as mentioned earlier, the establishment of the new Academy will take place throughout the year.

Overmat Industries frequently presents itself at various trade fairs. It will also be participating again at the upcoming Incoda trade fair this autumn in Gorinchem. Van Oversteeg says, "The combination of residential and project flooring installers and customers from the wooden flooring segment that we encounter there suits us." Recently, the Domotex trade fair was held in Hannover. "In terms of the number of visitors, I found it to be somewhat less, but the quality of the visits was surprisingly good. I didn't expect that, actually. The fair was certainly successful for us, with many fruitful conversations and new contacts. On the other hand, the BAU trade fair in 2023 did not impress me. While there are more visitors, the quality, in proportion to the size of the fair, is clearly less because BAU offers such an extensive and diverse range. It is and remains a construction fair."

Overmat at this year's Domotex: "In terms of the number of visitors, I found it to be somewhat less, but the quality of the visits was remarkably good."

Recently, the image campaign of the Stichting Promotie Houten Vloeren (SPHV) was launched. "We are members and wholeheartedly support the foundation and the initiative. Our products benefit from a healthy and well-functioning parquet and wood flooring industry. A wooden floor is a beautiful natural product on which our finishing products thrive." Regarding the finishing of wooden floors, Overmat provides products for both manual and industrial applications. "There is a significant difference between the two. In industrial applications, you have to consider various technical aspects, especially in terms of how the finishing product is applied. It must align well with the application method or the machine used in the factory. Good communication and support are essential and crucial in this regard. A considerable number of suppliers in the Netherlands now use our industrial applications, and we also supply our products to several manufacturers abroad."

Overmat expanded its hard wax oil offerings in the past year in the parquet and wooden flooring segment, actively promoting it. This includes the introduction of a new label at the end of last year, which, according to Van Oversteeg, received many positive responses. "We will continue to highlight and promote this in the coming period. Additionally, we are working on the development of new products and, as mentioned earlier, the establishment of the new Academy later in the year. So, one can expect a lot from us," concludes Van Oversteeg.

 

(Parketplein, February 5th, 2024)