Hoffmann Group Accelerates Digitalization with SCSN
With over a century of experience, Hoffmann Group is a leading supplier of high-quality tools and industrial solutions. From its office in Borne, the company serves customers in the metalworking industry across the Netherlands and Flanders — not only with expert advice and reliable delivery, but increasingly with smart digital solutions. Roland Spanjers, team lead of the e-business department since 2008, and Maurice van Buren, e-business consultant focused on platforms and networks such as SCSN, explain how Hoffmann Group is taking the next step in digitalization through smart integrations such as SCSN.
From Custom Solutions to a Standardized Approach
Hoffmann Group has long worked with digital solutions such as EDI, OCI, and punch-out, primarily for large accounts. The collaboration with SCSN marked a shift. “We first encountered SCSN during an integration project for our tool dispensing systems,” says Roland. “From there, we started working with customers already connected to SCSN. We’ve since expanded and developed our SCSN connections into a structured part of our ERP system.”
According to Maurice, this was a major step forward: “Previously, it could take weeks or even months to digitally connect a customer. Now, it often takes just a few days — and if everything is in place, sometimes even les than an hour.”
Digitalization for Everyone
The biggest gain, they say, is that digitalization is now also accessible to smaller customers. “More and more SMEs are adopting ERP systems. These companies don’t want to enter the same data twice — once in their own system and again in a webshop,” Roland explains. “With SCSN, we can connect them directly to their familiar environment, without extra steps.” That accessibility is also encouraging customers to proactively take the initiative. “We’re increasingly approached by companies that see Hoffmann Group in the SCSN address book,” says Maurice. “They want to know if they can connect too. That used to be very different.”
The growing demand for digitalization is also driven by a shortage of skilled workers, who often spend more time on administative tasks than on their core tasks. As Maurice puts it: “The urgency is clear: if you don’t connect now, you’ll fall behind.”
Internal Impact and Growing Awareness
The shift to standardization also had an internal impact. “Our inside sales team started handling digital orders,” Roland explains. “That required training, but more importantly, a shift in mindset. Small changes in the system can affect everything down to the invoice — and colleagues are now aware of that.”
Where digitalization was once seen as something “for large customers,” it’s now part of day-to-day operations. “You see colleagues who’ve been here for twenty years suddenly discovering new opportunities,” says Maurice. “SCSN is a bridge — it brings the benefits our largest customers already enjoy to SMEs as well. And ultimately, it makes their work easier too.”
Smart Start with Master Data
A key part of successful integration is master data. But according to Maurice, it doesn’t have to be a barrier: “You don’t need everything to be perfect from the start. Begin with the items you order most frequently — that often covers 80% of your needs.” Hoffmann Group actively supports customers in this process: “We can show exactly which items have been ordered in recent years. Based on that, we build customer-specific catalogs tailored to current prices and agreements.”
Ready for the Next Phase
Hoffmann Group currently has 30 customers connected via SCSN, with around 130 more ready to join. That number is expected to grow rapidly. “The flywheel is turning,” says Maurice. “Especially in manufacturing, where machines have long been automated — procurement is the logical next step.”
Digitalization remains a key focus for Hoffmann Group. “We actively promote SCSN at trade shows, in presentations, and on our website,” adds Roland. “We also work closely with our service provider to ensure our sales teams are well-informed about the digital steps our customers can take.”
An Invitation to the Market
For companies unsure whether they’re ready, Maurice has a clear message: “Talk to your supplier. Look at the data you already have. Start small. It brings structure, quality, and room for further digitalization.”
He concludes: “We warmly invite anyone interested in exploring this topic. Want to know what’s possible — or connect directly with Hoffmann Group via SCSN? Get in touch with us.”