History

AWL has been in existence for nearly 50 years. The activities started back in the ‘60’s with construction work and special projects using resistance welding techniques. In 1993 AWL became an independent company. Thereafter the company grew to eventually become a partner in the automotive and metal working industries, specialising in the supply of automated welding machines for resistance, arc and laser welding and the associated cold jointing. 


1993 AWL-Techniek BV management buyout from Aarding Weerstandslas BV. Company started with 48 employees.

1994 Supply of the first automated arc welding equipment. Further developments of the engineering activities and setting up our own drawing office, with sister company Mechdess Engineering. From this time projects for the automotive industry became a substantial part of the total operations.

1997 Appreciable growth from arc welding projects: 40% resistance welding and 60% arc welding.

1998 AWL- Techniek BV moved to their newly built, premises in Harderwijk.

2000 Substantial growth in turnover through the introduction of modular construction. Considerable savings on engineering costs per project through implementing standardized solutions. This process occurred simultaneously with the explosive growth of robotics.

2002 Participation in the start-up of Rolan Robotics, supplier of robot systems for welding applications, machine loading and other applications.

2003 First steps into the world of laser welding. AWL-Techniek constructed their first laser welding machines in 2004. At the same time the focus was put on machine construction and specialisation in a wide range of welding equipment.

2004 Participation in the start-up of Vosteq innovations, a partner in the development and realisation of process innovation and production automation in the industrial manufacturing industry.

2005 As well as the intensive marketing exercises being implemented in the German, Dutch and UK markets, AWL also started business with the French and Spanish markets.

2006 Complete focus on the so-called head & tail organisation, with the emphasis on supplying automated welding machines. The production activities focus on specials, alterations and servicing. Strong development regarding guidance and robot software competencies. The software part of both the machine guidance and the robots is produced in-house. Peaks were achieved in cooperation with partners. Established an AWL branch in the Czech Republic. Aim: Supporting growing activities in Central Europe. A strong outsourcing network has been established. Following intensive marketing activities, a sales operation was opened in Spain.

2007 Participation in AFTP Advanced Filament Placement Technology, which specialises in welding reinforced thermoplastics. After market research going back over the previous years, the focus now lies on the Russian market. Delivery of the first machine in 2008. Furthermore a strengthening of the supply to small customers by expanding the product range with low entry-level, low-cost welding machines.

2008 Transformation from a product driven to market driven business philosophy. Selecting market segments, targeting and then asserting the market position. AWL - Keeps you ahead in Automated Welding.

2009 Since 2002, AWL is actively involved in the development of various laser welding machines. This resulted in 2009 in the development of the AWL Beam Switch Concept. With this concept a laser source is being shared by 2 robots. It now is possible to weld faster and more efficient.

2010 A strategic Partnership is formed with Nu-tech Engineering from Canada to create a Trans-Atlantic partner platform. We also use the 750th robot in a AWL-Techniek project. Possibilities for entering the Chinese market are being explored so that we are able to offer our customers world wide service coverage.