You operate an external electroplating laboratory. How did you come up with the idea of setting up such a laboratory and how much was the investment?
The idea for the laboratory actually came more from a desire to be able to work practically again. My life as a chemist and electroplater had led me to the desk, and I wanted to work with liquids again. I couldn't have foreseen at the beginning that we would be so successful.
Last year, we invested around half a million euros and have been in new premises since the beginning of this year. The team currently consists of five people.
Which companies use your services?
We have two core target groups: Firstly, small and medium-sized electroplating companies that have their electrolyte control carried out by us. Our special service, e.g. the fact that the results are reliably available within a maximum of two working days, speaks in our favor. We have also developed a reusable system for safe and sustainable sample shipment, which is currently being tested. This has also been well received. Secondly, we provide our services to the customers of electroplating companies. This usually involves cases of damage and sometimes also mediation procedures. We mediate between the surface manufacturer and the user and try to work together to improve the process.
Which service is particularly in demand?
We are currently mainly involved in damage analysis. This goes so far that we are recreating cases of damage in our technical center on behalf of customers. Electrolyte testing in particular is currently developing very strongly. I think the market development of the specialist companies is playing into our hands here. More and more customers feel let down by their chemical suppliers and are looking for new options for control analysis. Smaller specialist companies without their own laboratory are also making enquiries.
Our laboratory is located in Sundern in the Sauerland region. Why is that?
It's very simple: I'm very attached to my home region. In addition, the centers of our work, such as Solingen, are not far away.
You also train metal companies that have dealings with electroplating companies or their suppliers. What kind of response do you get there?
These events are great. I used the coronavirus period to produce a 3-hour webinar on electroplating in general. I present the 14 chapters on site or online and am available for questions and discussions between the chapters. In the afternoon, I let the participants deposit with a Hull cell themselves to create more awareness for our topic. This works very well. In my experience, the subject of surfaces is given far too little attention, especially in engineering training. Young people in particular are very interested and highly motivated.
About the person
Oliver Brenscheidt is a 4th generation electroplater, studied chemistry and trained as an electroplater at TBK Solingen. He worked for many years in the family business Otto Brenscheidt and runs the online shop Met@Lab for hull cell materials in addition to the laboratory.
