How VDL Translift Streamlines Fastener Inventory with Fabory Logic

After visiting Fabory’s central warehouse in Tilburg, VDL Translift decided to introduce a similar inventory setup in its own production environment. In 2024, the company implemented Fabory Logic, combining one-bin and two-bin inventory management to support fastener availability across its operations.

Today, 19 VDL locations use the system. Fabory specialists visit weekly to monitor and replenish stock, helping VDL employees spend less time managing inventory and searching for fasteners and more time on their core assembly work.

Results at a glance

The challenge: keeping fasteners available for production

VDL Translift develops and manufactures side loaders, screw compactors and underground waste collection systems. With its own engineering department, the company manages the complete process from design through to the finished product.

These vehicles and systems require bolts, nuts and other fasteners throughout assembly. Having the correct components available when they are needed is therefore important for keeping production moving efficiently.

During busy periods, employees previously had to search for missing bolts or wait for urgent deliveries. VDL wanted a more structured approach that would reduce the time employees spent managing fastener inventory and searching for parts.

Fabory Logic across 19 locations

After seeing Fabory’s inventory setup during a visit to the central warehouse in Tilburg, VDL Translift decided to introduce the concept within its own production environment.

The implementation began in 2024. VDL invested in new racking, while Fabory specialists began visiting weekly to monitor and replenish stock. The solution has since expanded to 19 VDL locations.

Rather than using a single replenishment method for every fastener, VDL combines one-bin and two-bin systems depending on the requirements of the item.

One-bin replenishment for regular items

For regular replenishment, each article is stored in a single bin. The stock is checked and replenished at regular intervals by Fabory.

During the weekly visit, the Fabory merchandiser scans the bins and ensures that empty bins are replenished with the next delivery.

This reduces the inventory-management workload for VDL employees and gives Fabory responsibility for the regular monitoring and replenishment process.

Two-bin management for critical fasteners

For critical items, VDL uses a two-bin system. Each article has two bins, allowing the second to provide a stock buffer while the first is being replenished.

1 Use the first bin Production uses fasteners from the first of two bins allocated to the article.

2 Replenishment signal When the first bin is empty, it acts as the signal to automatically trigger a new order.

3 Switch to the second bin Employees continue working from the second bin, which provides a buffer while replenishment is arranged.

4 Stock is replenished New stock replenishes the empty bin while the second bin helps maintain availability during the replenishment cycle.

Less time spent searching for fasteners

With fasteners organised in Fabory racking and replenishment managed proactively, VDL employees spend less time managing inventory and searching for parts.

This allows employees to focus more of their time on their core assembly activities and helps support smoother production processes across the participating locations.

Reducing assembly steps with Lubrinox

As part of the implementation, VDL also added Lubrinox fasteners to its assortment.

Lubrinox provides lubrication as part of the fastener solution, removing the need to apply lubricant manually during assembly. For VDL, this reduces additional handling steps and supports a more efficient assembly process.

“The deciding factor for us was that Fabory offers a wide range of logistic solutions, an extensive assortment with many items in stock or with short lead times, and that they include Lubrinox in their program. This saves us additional steps during assembly. The entire project went smoothly, and we can truly call it a success. We now look forward to what the future will bring.”

Michel Dingemans
Plant Manager, VDL Translift

The result: structured fastener replenishment across 19 locations

VDL Translift now combines one-bin and two-bin inventory management across 19 locations, supported by weekly visits from Fabory specialists.

Regular items can be managed through scheduled one-bin replenishment, while the two-bin approach provides an additional stock buffer for critical fasteners. Together, these systems help minimise the risk of stockouts and reduce the time VDL employees spend managing inventory or searching for parts.

The addition of Lubrinox also helps reduce manual lubrication steps during assembly, extending the efficiency benefits beyond inventory management and into the production process itself.

Smarter fastener replenishment Could Fabory Logic simplify your fastener inventory? Fabory Logic combines structured inventory management, regular replenishment and solutions tailored to the importance and consumption of individual fasteners and C-parts. Talk to a Fabory specialist