As the number one pipe and tube distributor and specialist in the world it is our aim to focus on creating better value for our customers with our strategic agenda "Van Leeuwen 4.0". We do this on the basis of our broad offer of pipes and pipe and tube products: a broad product portfolio and service delivery package focused on customer wishes and on developments and innovations in our various markets. We offer all of this from our worldwide interconnected network of companies. The breadth and diversity of our offer of products and services, combined with our spread across 70 locations, form the basis of the success of our company; especially over the past three years during a pandemic and exceptional market and geopolitical conditions.
Through the acquisition of Benteler Distribution at the end of 2019, we doubled the company's size and network. By effectively exploiting the synergies between the various organizations, we are able to operate more competitively, and on the basis of our global footprint, we are able to share more knowledge and skills with each other. We will continue to look for opportunities to enlarge and strengthen our company as a means for us to continue to realize our leading role as the number one pipe and tube specialist in the world.
Through means of the knowledge of our professionals, we fulfil our promise of offering ‘more than tubes’. We are constantly looking for solutions that address customer issues: in the area of logistics planning, stock management and treatments, as well as innovative concepts that enable our customers to optimally and efficiently produce their products. Our key account managers play a key role in supporting our large, often internationally established customers in finding the right solutions for what are often complex issues.
Our strong European distribution organization and our global footprint are great strengths. To ensure the optimal operation of this international distribution network, it is important for us to constantly improve our business processes. Our ERP systems are supportive in this respect. We are increasingly focusing on using digital means to integrate our processes with those of our customers and suppliers. We also invest in advanced processing machines and in robotizing the production process.
