About AWL

AWL is a machine builder with a social heart, a global player with a local soul. We call our customers collaboration partners. Different cultures, languages and countries are in daily contact with each other at AWL. Learning from each other, working together, living together. We work on solutions that these times demand of us, on issues such as digitization, automation and logistics.

Disciplines and competencies

As a system integrator, AWL delivers added value as a specialist in the design and construction of smart (modular) machines. Our strength lies in three disciplines: joining technologies, (logistics) automation and assembly techniques. Our portfolio includes laser welding, arc welding, resistance welding, glued joints, vision systems, product handling, quality control and traceability. At AWL, we focus on the automotive, metal processing and logistics industries, where high levels of automation and a high degree of flexibility are essential.

With branches in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom, we support our customers all over the world. This guarantees our customers’ global productivity by means of smart and reliable solutions in the field of high-end automation, robotization, machine vision and joining technologies.

AWL is a private company with over 750 employees worldwide.

Experience and research

AWL’s lead in laser welding technology made it the preferred supplier for suppliers to the automotive industry. Every year, AWL machines make parts for ten million cars worldwide. Despite its size, AWL has retained the ability to adapt quickly to continue to meet customer needs.

AWL invests heavily in research and development. The number of employees in the Research & Development department has grown fivefold over the space of six years. This department makes an important contribution to the company’s foresight and thus to ensuring the future, in new technologies and markets. Our customers benefit from this too.

The opportunities and ideas at AWL

As a company, AWL distinguishes itself by being an attractive employer, where ‘being good for others’ forms the core. AWL gives employees room for personal development. This creates a dynamic environment, in which opportunities and ideas are welcome and contribute to the best solutions for our customers.

Over the past 30 years, AWL has acquired the reputation of a company that has the courage to invest in sustainable customer relationships, new developments, technologies, education, employees and in itself.

Explore your opportunities at AWL

Mission & Vision

“It is our mission to ensure that our customers in the automotive and manufacturing industries achieve the highest productivity levels for their worldwide product and logistics processes by supplying smart and reliable solutions in the field of high-end automation, robotization and joining technology.”

“In a quickly shifting market, we are convinced that in the coming years, automation and robotization will shape the world in which we live and work. AWL retains a leading position through innovation and strong partnership.”

History

 

  • 1993

    On June 10, 1993, AWL-Techniek starts from a company takeover of Aarding Weerstandlas BV. This is the beginning of the transition from a manufacturer for construction work to a partner in the automotive and machine industries.

  • 1998

    AWL grows rapidly and moves from Nunspeet to its new location on Nobelstraat in Harderwijk.

  • 2000

    Resistance welding alone is no longer enough for AWL. In response to the rising demand for arc welding processes, AWL creates its first standard arc welding cells.

  • 2002

    From a Dutch machine builder to a European machine builder to a global machine builder. In 2002, AWL sees the first intercontinental sales of its machines. Another new era full of opportunities dawns for AWL.

  • 2003

    The laser welding technique is still little used in machine building, but AWL sees a huge opportunity here. The first laser expert enters employment, and the laser laboratory is set up. AWL is one of the few companies that masters this technique so well. This means an economic and technological advantage for AWL.

  • 2006

    More and more companies in the market settle in Eastern Europe and our customers ask whether we can supply from the Czech Republic. In 2006, AWL opens its second branch: AWL-Techniek CZ s.r.o.

  • 2008

    The year 2008 is marked by professionalism. AWL has grown enormously, and that requires a clear focus. Quality is of paramount importance and the professional knowledge is there: it is time to position AWL in the market more firmly. AWL introduces its slogan; Keeps you ahead in automated welding, and AWL chooses to position itself with the AWL DNA: Smart reliable partner.

  • 2010

    In previous years, we invested heavily in laser welding but the effect is only noticeable in 2010. Despite the crisis in the automotive industry, various orders are still taken, thanks to the specialist knowledge of laser welding.

  • 2011

    AWL experiences an explosive growth. In 2011, AWL passes an important milestone: AWL becomes the market leader in the seating segment of the automotive industry.

  • 2013

    AWL is 20 years old! This year is again marked by investments. AWL follows its customers’ and suppliers’ sales markets and has now, in addition to the Czech Republic, also a branch in China.

  • 2014

    The Czech branch grows rapidly, and it is time for an expansion of AWL CZ. AWL also takes over 90% of MechDes in order to have engineering expertise in-house.

  • 2015

    The world is changing. To maintain a competitive edge in the market, innovation is more important than ever for AWL. Therefore, AWL decides to focus on Research & Development and to expand this department. One of the R&D projects is modularization. This approach ensures that AWL appeals to its customers with greater flexibility, reduced lead times and lower prices.

  • 2016

    To be a global partner and to deliver locally, in 2016 AWL crosses the ocean and opens an office in Mexico. The Czech branch is expanded with an additional production branch, and a new plant is commissioned in China, thus creating double capacity.

  • 2017

    To strengthen the partnership with customers, AWL opens a branch in the United States. The American automobile industry provides new opportunities for AWL. In addition, the Czech branch expands again and AWL buys ICS Robotics and Automation Ltd in the United Kingdom. The 2,500th robot was sold and the first e-battery project is sold, thanks to the increasing demand for electric cars.

  • 2018

    AWL is 25 years old, an anniversary that is celebrated in style! The Czech branch expanded again this year. It is also time for a new corporate identity, in line with our global and professional identity: Ensuring Global Productivity.

  • 2019

    The Dutch king pays a business visit and receives a guided tour. The Dutch branch has grown considerably. In Harderwijk, the new head office and factory are built as an extension to the existing building. The new assembly hall is inaugurated.

  • 2020

    A new market opens up in 2020; we sell the first logistics automation project. Besides the delivery of the machines, AWL now also provides solutions for the logistics process around the loading of the machine and the distribution of the produced parts. Also, the head office in Harderwijk moves from the Nobelstraat to the Keplerstraat.

AWL-Techniek Holding B.V.