2018.02.15 
General Lantek, world leader in digital transformation and Advanced Manufacturing for the sheet metal industry, consolidates its position as an international benchmark after recording an increase in its turnover of over 11% and reaching a milestone in its number of customers. In 2017, turnover reached 17.6 million euros and the customer base grew by more than 2,000 new customers, exceeding the level of 20,000 active customers in more than 100 countries on five continents.
The company presented its results during the 2018 International Meeting, an annual meeting where all the employees meet to make an assessment of the year, as well as growth forecasts for the new year.
These results highlight the strength of the company’s international business, which accounts for 86% of total revenue. In this regard, the progress recorded in markets with high potential such as China (+67%) is significant, where Lantek is already the leader for laser manufacturers, and the US (+47%), where companies have been pushing for digitalization for some time now.
In Europe it is worth mentioning countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Poland, where companies are taking advantage of the grants that governments have made available to businesses that opt for digitalization.
“This has been a very positive year. We have reached most of the objectives we set, which demonstrates the trust that our customers have placed in Lantek. Our commitment is to work ever closer with them to help them on the road to their digital transformation,” says Alberto Martínez, CEO of Lantek.
Digital Transformation
By business areas, growth was mainly driven by the projects undertaken in Digital Transformation, with an increase in sales of 25% compared to 2016. This shows that Lantek’s commitment in recent years to the development of solutions for the sheet metal and fabrication sector oriented to Industry 4.0 is bearing fruit. As a result, Lantek is about to offer a new advanced manufacturing service using MES+ software and Lantek Analytics, which will enable better performance of factories through data analysis.
“We have committed ourselves to developing advanced manufacturing solutions that connect machines, processes and factories to facilitate the digital transformation process, which is so necessary for our customers today. All these developments are aimed at turning factories into Smart Factories, improving the technological and competitive positioning of our customers in their sector,” remarked Lantek’s CEO.
This firm commitment to technology associated with Industry 4.0 has made Lantek a pioneer in the digitization of companies in the sheet metal sector. In line with this, in Spain, the company has achieved 14% growth in its Digital Transformation business, and expects it to reach 26% in 2018. In the case of countries such as Germany, Lantek expects a significant growth of 78% in digitization projects in 2018, given that it is a prepared market and has government support for business initiatives linked to Industry 4.0.
Regarding investments, during the past year the company allocated 1.8 million euros to R&D, implementation teams and project development. Worthy of note is the opening in Bilbao of a new technological center with the incorporation of 10 engineers.
During 2017, Lantek hired about 30 professionals in all its departments, which has increased the staff to over 200 people, spread over 20 offices all over the world.
The sectors in which Lantek has consolidated its global presence are industrial machinery, shipyards, automotive industry, duct parts, metal constructions, iron and steel industry, elevators, air conditioning, metallic furniture and distribution.
Forecast for 2018
Lantek faces 2018 with forecasted growth higher than that recorded last year, after a significant increase in the order book, especially for orders related to digital transformation projects, which will boost turnover towards a new milestone, reaching 20 million euros in invoicing.
"This year we plan to launch several products focusing on advanced manufacturing that will consolidate our strategy as a driving force in the digital transformation of our sector and that will help the sheet metal and fabrication market adapt to the new changes required by Industry 4.0", concludes Alberto Martínez.
About Lantek
Lantek is a multinational company which is leading the digital transformation of companies in the industrial sector of sheet metal and fabrication. It offers its own software solutions in business manufacturing intelligence, which enable connecting the plants thereby converting them into smart factories. It rounds off its range with the development of CAD/CAM/MES/ERP solutions for companies that manufacture metal parts from sheet metal, tubes and profiles, with any cutting technology:laser, plasma, oxycut, waterjet, shearing,and punching.
Founded in 1986 in the Basque Country and with its headquarters in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Álava), Lantek enables the integration of cutting and punching technologies in the plant using the most demanding advanced manufacturing management software. The company is currently the outstanding leader in its sector thanks to its capacity for innovation and commitment to internationalization. With more than 20,000 clients in over 100 countries and its 20 own offices in 14 countries, it has an extensive network of distributors with a worldwide presence. In 2017, its international business contributed to 86% of its revenue.
For more information visit: www.lantek.com