Take Storm Boris in September 2024, for example. After sweeping through Central Europe, insurers faced an estimated €2bn to €3bn in claims, primarily due to extensive flooding and structural damage. In November of that same year, devastating floods in Valencia cost insurers over €3.5bn, based solely on the first 72,000 claims received.

Traditionally, the claims process - heavily dependent on in-person inspections and manual approvals - left homeowners and businesses waiting weeks or even months before repairs could begin. But what if that timeline could be shortened to just a few days? What if claims could be evaluated, approved, and assigned for repair in a fraction of the time?

That’s the gap PortalPRO is looking to close. Originally developed as a platform to help property managers coordinate repairs more efficiently, it quickly proved to be a viable solution for insurers facing property-related claims surges. We realised that our service economy platform offering preventative maintenance and repair management solutions can actually address several issues insurance companies are experiencing during peak times.

From Friction to Flow: Reinventing the Claims Experience

For years, the insurance claims process has been burdened by delays - damage is reported, an adjuster is scheduled for an on-site inspection, paperwork moves between departments, and only then does the payout or repair offer reach policyholders. In the wake of a natural disaster, when thousands of claims pour in simultaneously, this system quickly becomes overloaded. Considering that insured losses from catastrophic events exceeded $135bn for the fifth consecutive year, the industry clearly needs solutions that process claims faster and accelerate real-world recovery.

As a service economy platform, PortalPRO is built for property owners and managers who need a more structured, reliable way to handle repairs. Instead of waiting for an in-person inspection, they can seek help by reporting property damage online by uploading photos through our AI- powered tool. In seconds, the damage is assessed and offers detailing potential resources are generated that prompt the users to request repair provider services.

We soon realised these processes could also benefit insurance companies when we helped manage claims following a major storm in Lithuania last year. We stepped in to assist one of our partner insurers that was experiencing a spike in claims, more than 300 requests at peak demand. We handled claims and cut down on processing time by 80%. Clients were able to proceed with repairs more quickly because what would have typically taken about 50 days was finished much faster.

This experience underscored the potential for PortalPRO to support the insurance industry at scale. The platform evolved beyond a property management tool - this new insurance damage claims self-service solution became a bridge between insurers, property owners, and repair specialists, ensuring that claims weren’t just approved quickly but translated into real action.

The Key to Customer Satisfaction and Cost Reduction

For insurers, streamlining claims means more than just efficiency. It reduces administrative costs, minimises fraud - which makes up about 10% of all insurance claims costs - and helps policyholders navigate one of the most stressful moments of their lives with greater ease. By integrating structured digital workflows, insurers using PortalPRO can cut out unnecessary back- and-forth and ensure claims move seamlessly from reporting to resolution.

For policyholders, the impact is just as important. They get quicker access to funds and repairs when they need them most, a smoother claims experience overall, and more transparency throughout the process. And it matters, Accenture found that 83% of customers who have an easy claims experience are likely to renew their policies. Insurers who don’t embrace the advantages such technology provides aren’t just falling behind in efficiency; they risk losing customers to competitors who move faster.

As extreme weather events become more frequent, insurers are facing mounting pressure to process a rapidly growing number of claims. The challenge isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about maintaining accuracy, fairness, and trust in a system that policyholders rely on during their most vulnerable moments. To keep pace, insurers need structured, data-driven solutions that don’t just speed up the process but also use the expertise of repair specialists. In an industry where reliability matters most, finding ways to remove bottlenecks and improve transparency is no longer optional, it’s essential.

Dalius Šimaits is CEO at PortalPRO

www.linkedin.com/company/portalpro

Despite all the innovation, one factor remains constant: the need for clear, reliable workplace safety standards. This is where structured learning such as an OSHA compliance course continues to offer value, especially for manufacturers, plant operators and site managers responsible for day-to-day operations.

Whether the task is repairing machinery, overseeing multiple production zones or working with hazardous materials, knowing what to do and how to do it safely makes a measurable difference. It's not just about passing inspections or ticking boxes but reducing incidents, protecting teams and helping everyone work with confidence.

The role of structured safety training

Training is often the first line of defense against workplace accidents. In facilities where heavy machinery, confined equipment layouts or volatile materials are present, even small missteps can lead to downtime or injury. An OSHA compliance course introduces practical knowledge that applies to the reality of industrial floors, it trains on how to handle equipment safely, spot common hazards and respond effectively when something goes wrong.

The structure of these courses also matters. Instead of relying on on-the-job assumptions or patchwork instruction, they provide consistent guidelines that apply across job roles. When everyone on site receives the same training, communication improves and the margin for error shrinks. It becomes easier to assign responsibilities, identify risks and carry out planned maintenance with minimal disruption.

Online options make training more accessible

For many industrial sites, taking workers off the floor for extended training is not easy. Deadlines, shift cycles and rotating contractors make scheduling difficult. That is why many facilities now turn to OSHA certification online. Providers such as FMTC offer practical, accredited options that cover essential training without interrupting daily operations. These programs deliver foundational learning in a format that can be completed remotely, on breaks or during low-activity hours.

Online certification is not a shortcut. It covers the same standards and expectations as in-person sessions, including workplace hazard recognition, PPE use, emergency action planning, and more. For operations that rely on both permanent and temporary staff, this format also ensures everyone is trained to the same baseline, regardless of how or when they joined the team.

For supervisors, online options allow tracking and accountability without having to manage every training session directly. They can focus on application rather than delivery, confident that their team has the right knowledge in place.

Building safety into the culture, not just the checklist

Compliance should not be something addressed only when auditors show up. When workers know the standards and understand why they exist, safety becomes part of the work rather than an afterthought. A team that has gone through an OSHA compliance course is not only prepared to follow instructions but are more likely to take ownership, identify problems early, and communicate issues that could otherwise be missed.

Online certification reinforces this by making safety accessible and practical. It becomes easier to refresh knowledge when procedures change or when new regulations come into play. It gives every team member, from technicians to maintenance staff, a way to stay engaged with best practices without stepping away from their responsibilities for too long.

Conclusion

The tools and systems in today’s industrial workplaces may have evolved, but the importance of safe working practices has not changed. Completing an OSHA compliance course is a proactive way for teams to reduce risk, improve efficiency and build a shared standard that supports everyone. With the added flexibility of OSHA certification online, industrial sites can keep their training consistent and their teams confident, no matter the schedule, shift or challenge ahead.

Robert Peters launched KC Machine Movers in 2021 with his business partner Kevin Hill. The specialist machinery installation and equipment relocation service provider offers cutting edge solutions for the end-to-end installation of machinery.  

The company also have a team of highly skilled mechanical and pipe fitters and electrical engineers who can carry out installation, fitting and testing where required.  

Originally starting with three members of staff, in the four years since its inception, the company has grown to a team of 40. It provides a range of services across a diverse client list working on complex projects, including Formula 1 teams, industrial plants, aerospace companies and defence contractors across the UK and Europe.  

It expects to achieve turnover of £5m in the coming financial year, all with the aid of eCapital.  

Invoice finance 

The secret behind its growth story is invoice finance, a cashflow solution that allows organisations to release cash from outstanding invoices. It not only provides fast access to immediate cash but also an ongoing source of funding which grows as a business grows – a key requirement for startups and scaling businesses keen to make their mark. 

How it works is simple: invoice finance uses receivables (invoices) as the principal asset against which money can be raised. The invoice financer pays the client an agreed percentage of the invoice value (typically 85% of the invoice value) as soon as it is submitted. As a result, businesses can build a revolving line of credit and gain quick access to cash while waiting for customers to pay their invoices.  

Working across complex clients, and industries, Peters understood the need for a cashflow solution that allowed him to build relationships and trust with key prospects and clients: "eCapital have been supporting the growth journey of KC Machine Movers from pretty much the beginning. Ours is a traditional industry with weekly pay, but some of the projects we work on are 60-, or 90-day invoicing, so we needed certainty and the ability to access cash immediately. The projects we work on can be complex, so we need cash available to us.  

"eCapital are adaptable to our needs, allowing us to flex up, and flex down what we need from them. In the nearly four years we’ve been with them, they’ve not baulked at anything that we’ve asked. eCapital has really taken the time to understand us as a business. We speak most days and also have the ear of the senior team which we can lean on if we need it," he stated 

Growth and expansion 

The relocation and machine moving service has been able to grow and expand into new territories, all because of the bespoke financing solution that eCapital provides. "A recent job saw us dismantling and moving a manufacturing line from Germany to the UK as part of a complete factory closure project," Peters explained, "This eighteen-month project included full-scale dismantling rigging and lifting of machinery, equipment and transport, as well as shipping some machinery across to the USA. This project was only possible because of the financing from eCapital." 

The machine moving company have been on a steady upward trajectory since its launch, and the partnership with eCapital has grown.  

The next stage for KC Machine Movers is its own site. "We are now firmly established within the industry and the next stage of our growth is our own premises, which we’re on track for within the next 12-18 months, because of the finance solution that eCapital offers us. With their support we have expanded from our initial Doncaster base to two 10,000 ft warehouses in Sheffield," Peters continued. 

Eileen Creely, regional MD North of England is committed to maintaining the excellent relationship with KC Machine Movers: "As a dedicated funding partner, we've had the privilege of witnessing KC Machine Movers' tremendous evolution firsthand. Throughout our relationship, we've taken pride in providing tailored financial support and strategic guidance that has contributed to their success. Looking ahead, we remain steadfastly committed to standing by KC Machine Movers' side as they pursue ambitious expansion plans. Our team is ready with the bespoke, flexible solutions needed to help them achieve their vision and continue their remarkable upward trajectory," she affirmed.

ecapital.com

Sigma is a member of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC), which organised the visit. The company makes pipe and tube assemblies, ducts, manifolds, fabrications ad sub-assemblies, sheet and machined details, and specialist fasteners. 

It supplies products and services to the civil and military aerospace sectors, including to global companies. "I was delighted to be invited to visit Sigma by the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium and to have the opportunity to find out more about one of the many incredible and highly technical industries based in Farnborough," said Baker. 

"It was a fascinating visit and another example of not only great careers on our doorstep but also a local business making a global impact. 

"Boosting economic growth is at the heart of this government’s mission for the country, and we are committed to supporting businesses such as Sigma."

Richard Bower, Sigma CEO, said: "We were delighted to host Alex Baker MP at our Farnborough facility to demonstrate how the local area supports a global aerospace supply chain.  

"It’s always good to raise awareness of what we are capable of and we look forward to hearing what can be done to foster further growth in the area."

Alan Fisher, CEO of FAC, said: "Sigma are long-standing members of ours and Alex Baker was extremely supportive. She has a background in the private sector and showed an understanding of what businesses want and require.

"Sigma gave her a presentation and then a tour of the facility."

www.fac.org.uk

The impending skills ‘emergency’ may mean that UK industry fails to meet current demand and fail to generate the growth and productivity that government yearns

Responding to prime minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that skilled migration was going to be curbed for those that don’t have a degree, Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, formerly known as sector skills council Semta, said, that a sudden reduction in visas for workers needed desperately by UK industry could prove disastrous if business does not react immediately.

"A massive uplift in UK skills training is now an urgent necessity, not just a laudable ambition," she stated. "This is fast becoming an emergency rather than just an acute problem.

"Industry is at a pivotal moment, if it is to maintain output, let alone grow as the Government is rightly fixated upon."

Enginuity, known as the ‘sector connector’ will act as a catalyst between thousands of small and medium sized businesses and government, to determine next steps.

"It seems that business will be expected to roll-up its sleeves and make radical changes to skill people themselves. We will help them introduce best practice to their training regimes, and gear up throughput to try and ensure that this happens as quickly as possible," Watson continued.

"Much of our sector is already being strangled by a lack of skills in the pipeline and this might just finish them off. Many of the disciplines that are in most demand don’t need a degree level entrant - hence they won’t qualify for a visa.

"Even if we had people queuing up to enter vocational pathways to work, which often isn't the case, it would take years to get them to the sufficient level to hold their own in the workplace. 

"Government is examining the possibility of reducing the duration and quality of apprenticeships, but it’s not the answer to a long-term problem. We need to create our own sustainable, proficient, skilled workforce, before we cut off the current supply.

"Hundreds of thousands of skilled workers are due to retire in the next five years which will only exacerbate the situation." In Scotland alone, more than a million additional workers will be required in the next 10 years.

www.enginuity.org

Made in Britain is a trade organisation representing more than 2,160 UK manufacturers. Members, who must demonstrate their commitment to UK manufacturing and a series of sustainability and ethical standards, display the Made in Britain trademark on their products and wider branding as a mark of distinction. Last month, the organisation reported a surge in businesses applying to be members of Made in Britain since America’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcements, with applications increasing by 20% in April.

Now, polling has revealed the extent to which the official Made in Britain campaign has gained traction with British consumers, with 50% of UK adults recognising its trademark.

The survey also found that 44% of Britons would be encouraged to buy British if domestically-manufactured goods carried clear Made in Britain branding. This is only slightly fewer than those who said price relative to non-UK products (46%) and availability (45%) were the main factors.

Last month, the Liberal Democrats were among those calling for a national ‘buy British’ campaign, including the use of clear ‘Made in Britain’ labelling. Made in Britain has backed this suggestion and has written to Sir Kier Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey to underline its established, industry-led, not-for-profit, independent and widely recognised efforts to support UK manufacturing in the UK and around the world.

The broad recognition of the Made in Britain trademark is a major milestone for the not-for-profit trade organisation, which was established in 2015 to champion British manufacturing and help businesses to sell more of their UK-made goods. Its trademark appears on tens of thousands of UK-made goods, from construction materials to luxury clothing, as a mark of provenance and distinction.

"The Made in Britain trademark only appears on products that are verified as being manufactured in the UK and member organisations must also demonstrate their commitment to our social and ethical standards. As a result, shoppers, consumers and businesses throughout supply chains know that products carrying the trademark really live up to what it means to be Made in Britain," said Made in Britain CEO John Pearce. 

"Businesses and government are reorienting supply chains and shoring up new trade deals to support British manufacturing, meanwhile consumers are looking for more British-made goods as a result of the recent turbulence. We’re growing every day as businesses realise the value of celebrating their Britishness, and we’ve seen a huge surge in interest, with membership enquiries doubling in the month since the introduction of tariffs on goods exported to America.

"The recent tariffs and economic turbulence have rightly drawn attention to the value of British-made goods, so we’re pleased to be helping businesses to proudly fly the flag and stand apart from their global competitors.

"Today, we have over 2,160 manufacturers in our membership, with tens of thousands of products bearing our trademark. 50% of all UK adults recognise our logo which they’ll have seen on products ranging from vans and wheelie bins to medical gowns and coffee makers."

www.madeinbritain.org 

The Starrag Bumotec 191 will be delivered to Smithstown Light Engineering immediately after the show. Smithstown opened its doors for business 50 years ago with just four toolmakers; now, it has three manufacturing sites and over 285 employees. With two sites in Shannon and another in Rzeszow, Poland, the company is on an aggressive growth trajectory, a fact underpinned by the Rzeszow division recently moving into a new 50,000 ft² factory. Working with the world's leading medical device and orthopaedic companies, Smithstown has invested in the Bumotec 191 to streamline its throughput and maximise efficiency.

Shannon-based Smithstown transitioned to medical manufacturing in 1990, and it continually invests in the very latest technology. This sees the company work with renowned clients such as Stryker, Boston Scientific, Zimmer Biomet, and Cook Medical, to name a few. With over 14 million components manufactured annually, the Irish manufacturer adopts stringent quality measures that are a necessity for ultra-precision medical device parts used in life-saving surgery. It is here that the Bumotec 191^neo will create an impact.

Alluding to why the company has purchased the Bumotec 191, Smithstown Light Engineering CEO Gerard Henn said: "We have been interested in the Starrag machines for several years, and it was a case of finding the right opportunity for our business. The Bumotec 191 is perfect for small intricate mill/turn parts, and we have bought this machine for a number of reasons. Primarily, it will support our NPI (New Product Introduction) team that supports our customers from RFQ through product development and iterations into production. Over any 2 to 3-month period, our NPI team will be working on 10 to 15 development projects that will range from prototypes to small batch runs.

"This development work will eventually dovetail into production. We see the Bumotec 191 as both a highly flexible machine that will support the NPI team and as an extremely productive machine for high-volume manufacturing. So, we expect the Bumotec 191 to be the first of many to arrive at Smithstown, as it works perfectly with orthopaedic and medical device components from development through to production," he added.

The Starrag stand will undoubtedly boast the most dynamic machine at the event with the Bumotec 191^neo, but the company is equally renowned for its more extensive and more robust machine tools for the general manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, offshore and power generation sectors. To this end, Starrag experts attending the show will be keen to discuss the merits of the Heckert H Compact Series, the impressive STC series of horizontal machining centres, the new Droop+Rein FOGS HD, a 6-axis overhead gantry-type machining centre and much more. So, regardless of what your manufacturing requirements are, the Starrag stand at Manufacturing Solutions Ireland will have the solution for you.

Stand: T7

www.starrag.com

The embroidery element of Town and Country Covers’ business has become a popular add on for many of their customers. Being able to personalise seat covers with a company’s logo creates a professional flare and gives the business a professional and polished appearance, as the embroidery can be images as well as text, giving businesses a variety of options for their branding needs.

There are multiple benefits to having seat covers branded, one is that it enhances brand consistency, especially if the external of a company vehicle is done too. This full vehicle branding increases customer touch points and improve customer buy in and trust in the business.

The embroidery service is done by Town and Country Covers expert partners who pride themselves in the detail of the embroidery, ensuring it’s of premium quality.

As well as its embroidery service being of the highest quality, so is its seat cover range. The seat cover range comprises more than 250 references and the warehouse holds, on average, four months’ worth of stock. It’s all manufactured from its signature heavy-duty 600-denier polyester with a waterproof polyurethane backing, ensuring it’s of excellent quality, waterproof and hard-wearing, so able to cope with the tough environments that many users will have to deal with.

Town and Country Covers carries out independent tests on its products that check the durability of its covers through tests, such as tear strength by falling pendulum apparatus, seam strength and abrasion resistance, amongst others.

"If you’re looking for a way to add a personal touch to your vehicle, our custom embroidery service is perfect. All that’s needed is for the customer to send us a file with the logo or text they would like on their seat. Our embroidery is of the highest quality and will last for years to come. So, if you’re looking for a way to make your vehicle truly unique, our custom embroidery service is the way to go," said James Newman, director at Town and Country Covers.

"We are able to do low minimum quantity orders, but we do require the order to contain at least eight embroidery elements, but this can be eight covers with one embroidered logo for instance, or four double seat covers that have embroidery on both headrests."

Yet it’s not just embroidery Town and Country Covers offers, there is also a white label package available if required.

"As well as having our own products in our warehouse, we also have white label packages that we offer to a variety of vehicle manufacturers and distribution partners, which, as well as designing the product including embroidery, incorporates the storage and shipment of the product, if they require it," added Newman

The company’s 6,200 sqft warehouse distributes stock not only to the UK but into Europe, which allows Town and Country Covers to provide an excellent service to its customers, not just in terms of its premium quality products, but with its customer service and availability.

www.townandcountrycovers.com

The surveyor at regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), King oversees aircraft engineering organisations and licensed personnel. He also serves with the CAA’s Shadow Board, is a Governor with a local primary school and a mentor with the Social Mobility Foundation.  

"I am delighted to welcome Alex to the Trustee Board of EngineeringUK. He brings refreshing perspectives on the experiences of young people considering STEM careers, on risk governance and public accountability as well as expertise in engineering," said EngineeringUK chair, Iain Conn. 

"I and the Board look forward to working with him to support EngineeringUK as we deliver on our mission to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue engineering and technology careers." 

King said, "I’m honoured to join EngineeringUK as a Trustee. Their commitment to inspiring the next generation of young people into engineering and technology careers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, aligns closely with my own values. I look forward to supporting the Board and contributing to their important mission." 

www.engineeringuk.com 

IN AN increasingly competitive industrial market, businesses face the daunting challenge of effectively showcasing products that are too large, too complex, or too bespoke to present through traditional marketing methods. Historically, industrial manufacturers have relied on physical demonstrations or printed documentation to communicate product specifications and benefits. However, these traditional methods, like paper brochures, static PDFs, or even professionally produced videos, often fall drastically short when trying to capture the sheer scale, complexity, or customisation potential of industrial machinery and equipment.

The rise of virtual showrooms and interactive 3D environments is transforming this significant marketing obstacle into a powerful, competitive advantage for the brands that embrace the technology. By creating photorealistic 3D digital twins of machinery and equipment, businesses can now offer an immersive experience, enabling customers to explore, interact with, and visualise products in hyper-realistic virtual settings. This shift from static to dynamic and interactive marketing profoundly enhances customer engagement and significantly streamlines the sales process.

The benefits of virtual showrooms

One of the core advantages of virtual showrooms lies in their unparalleled ability to simplify complex product presentations. Technical complexity is a fundamental characteristic of industrial manufacturing, making it inherently challenging for customers to fully grasp the nuances of machinery through conventional materials. In contrast, virtual 3D environments allow prospective buyers to interact directly with the products, explore components externally and internally, grasp the operational mechanics and explore customisation. 

Neil Potter, head of marketing at Warehouse Safety Solutions, and an early adopter of the MARTECH3D platform, offered his approach. "The idea was to create a virtual experience centre for our customers to enter, and be fully immersed in to the environment of everything that we offer from products through to solutions." Expanding from an initial showroom to then include a warehouse, external expo areas, and a training academy. "This solution has helped us enormously to highlight all of our information in a very clear and simple way," he added.

Instant customisation

Interactive exploration significantly enhances comprehension in any sector, and in large, complex machinery, it helps build buyer confidence through direct, hands-on interaction. This is particularly true of bespoke customer configurations specific to an industry or process. Such immediate feedback dramatically accelerates decision-making, shortens sales cycles and reduces customer and vendor costs.

For sensitive sectors, virtual presentations can also circumvent security and regulatory concerns commonly associated with sensitive or restricted operational environments such as defence, biotech and pharma. The ability to virtually adapt and configure prospective machinery in real time to meet these specific and/or NDA requirements reduces the back-and-forth, minimises the time between meetings and ensures tighter IP security.

In open or prospecting environments, such as trade shows, websites and digital marketing, the virtual showroom is sure to start the conversation. Being able to demonstrate complex machinery, showroomed in a curated virtual environment in real-time, perhaps even without sales assistance, offers a similar uplift in engagement to that of video over a static presentation - up to 1200%. Virtual showrooms also provide a greater sense of realism and authenticity, leading to improved trust metrics of up to 75% higher than traditional B2B presentations and reduced decision time for significant B2B sales. 

Given that over 70% of industrial buyers watch product videos during their research phase, and 90% of them say video is instrumental in their purchase decisions - how much more would a virtual showroom push that dial?

Expansions

Cloud-based virtual showroom systems with real-time access offer a unique selling proposition, but their greatest asset (particularly if your competitor is using a similar system) is their flexibility. From product updates to complete showroom makeover is relatively straightforward, enabling ‘nice to have’ touches such as branding virtual products or areas of the showroom for specific customer presentations. This can be extended after the sale to staff training sessions and onboarding.

Adding Augmented Reality (AR) integration within virtual showrooms further expands their potential. AR empowers potential customers to seamlessly blend digital product models with real-world operational environments. An engineer or factory manager can virtually position a new piece of equipment within their facility using only their smartphone or tablet. This real-world visualisation capability can reduce uncertainty regarding space constraints, fit, and operational compatibility far beyond the capabilities of CAD drawings.

An interactive and engaging system

Another company that has successfully implemented many of these functions into its B2B industrial sales process is Powder Systems Limited (PSL). PSL used MARTECH3D to create a comprehensive 3D Virtual Showroom for its full suite of products, complete with a 3D AR Product Viewer. Phase 1 launched in July 2024 at the ACHEEMA pharmaceutical manufacturing event, and late last year, the company further expanded the system to deliver virtual sales presentations for the business development team.

Sylvain Querol, head of business development at PSL, commented, "Our products, particularly for the pharmaceutical industry, can be huge, and we needed a more interactive and engaging system than a simple brochure. Full 3D environments with our product ranges and subcategories were the core of the design. We also created some virtual clean room environments where we can discover the client’s needs and adapt solutions we could offer to them. We also added the QR code AR modelling to drive further engagement."

"We have seen exactly what we wanted across the platform: people interacting with products in the environment, often on their own with no PSL staff involved, making their own journey and finding the information they are after. It’s been a massive help for our business development team, and we are rolling the systems out onto our website and planning to use it as a training and learning tool for our agents and distributor network worldwide."

Versatility in addition to ROI

The versatility of virtual showrooms also extends their applicability across multiple aspects of a manufacturer’s marketing strategy. At trade shows, interactive touch screens can showcase digital twins of equipment, enabling visitors to engage deeply without requiring expensive physical samples. 

AIRSYS manufacture innovative, high-efficiency precision control thermal solutions for critical environments - components that are historically difficult to show. Matthew Thompson, MD Europe, explains "Working with MARTECH3D has allowed us to engage with more customers. Potential customers get a good idea of what we offer without us having to bring very big pieces of equipment to the trade show. Customers that would sometimes walk past the stand are intrigued. They see the screen, they want to engage with the screen, and they are then starting to learn about the product. They start to ask more questions and it builds the initial relationship."

Online, virtual environments embedded within company websites provide global accessibility to highly detailed product exploration, democratising the sales process and effortlessly reaching international audiences.

Boosting your marketing strategy

This has an invaluable impact on the ROI of your marketing strategy, particularly if factoring in the cost of traditional product logistics and multiple face-to-face meetings for real product demonstrations. Historically, transporting large-scale machinery to trade shows or customer facilities incurred enormous logistical expenses and potential risks associated with product damage during transportation.

Madelyn Haycock, marketing manager at AIRSYS adds: "The virtual showroom has been really important for us because our units are huge - one of them weighs over 900 kilos - so for a standard client meeting we can’t just take that around with us. We need something in our pocket so we can showcase all of our products in one go." 

In contrast, once developed, virtual environments can be reused indefinitely and updated at minimal incremental cost. Cloud-based virtual environments with continuously updated core software ensure these systems will remain at the cutting edge of the virtual environment and AR technology without putting an enormous, centralised strain on your IT systems. 

Industrial process

Leading adopters within the industrial process sector are already reporting tangible benefits from implementing interactive 3D marketing tools. Metrics consistently indicate shorter sales cycles, accelerated decision-making processes, and significantly higher conversion rates. Early users of this technology often experience double-digit growth in conversions, reinforcing the substantial commercial advantages of virtual marketing methods. 

Ultimately, adopting virtual showroom technology is more than a simple upgrade; it represents a transformative strategy with profound implications for the entire industrial manufacturing sector. From overcoming the historical limitations associated with showcasing complex industrial products to significantly enhancing product understanding, customer confidence, and fast-tracking buying decisions, moving decisively into virtual showroom technology represents a significant strategic advantage. 

Mark Worger is CEO at MARTECH3D

For more information:

www.martech3d.com

Tel: 020 3146 6823