Two decades of growth and precision: What 20 years taught Piping Logistics about quality
Iain Hoey
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Jeroen De Smedt, CEO of Piping Logistics talks expansion, innovation and the next chapter in fire protection manufacturing
Could you introduce Piping Logistics and outline how the company has grown over the past 20 years?
Piping Logistics was founded in Belgium in 2005 as a specialist in piping systems for fire protection, HVAC and industrial applications.
What began as a small family business has grown into an international operation serving more than 60 countries.
The company has invested in people, facilities and technology, which has enabled it to move from distributing components to designing and assembling complete systems.
A major step in this journey is the new production facility in Romania, which expands manufacturing capacity and supports customers across Europe and beyond.
Despite this growth, the company’s focus remains delivering high-quality components with rapid and reliable service.
How would you describe the main stages of your development in products, people and market reach?
Our development has moved through several clear phases.
We began in 2005 as a distributor linked to AquaSecurity, supplying quality piping components to local installers.
That experience shaped our customer-focused approach and helped us understand the needs of contractors.
The second phase was the shift to manufacturing.
We established in-house R&D, hired engineers and quality specialists, and launched our Profit brand so we could design products that met European standards.
This investment in expertise was essential for our transition.
The third stage was broadening our offer.
We moved from supplying couplings and fittings to providing a full package for sprinkler and HVAC installations, including valves, switches, flexible hoses and later prefabricated sprinkler pipes.
As the range expanded, so did our workforce to maintain high service levels.
Our fourth stage was international expansion.
From serving Belgium and the Benelux region, we grew across Europe, the Middle East and other regions through distribution partners and a strengthened logistics network.
Gaining certifications such as FM, UL, VdS and CE enabled us to compete globally.
The most recent stage is marked by our 20-year milestone and the opening of our Romanian facility.
This site increases capacity, brings new colleagues into the company and positions us closer to key markets.
What does the new Romanian production facility mean for your capacity and customer service?
The Romanian facility significantly increases our capacity, particularly for prefabricated sprinkler pipes.
Producing these assemblies in Romania allows us to meet higher demand and deliver project-specific pipe sections quickly without overloading our Belgian operations.
Being closer to many European customers reduces lead times and adds resilience to our supply chain.
Clients in Central and Eastern Europe benefit from shortened transport distances, and we have greater flexibility to adjust production for urgent project needs.
The site also aligns with our sustainability goals.
Manufacturing within the EU limits transport emissions, supports compliance with environmental regulations and prepares us for future measures such as CO₂ import taxes.
The facility uses energy-efficient equipment and modern processes to reduce waste.
How has your approach to quality control, logistics and assembly evolved with this growth?
Our quality control has become more rigorous as we expanded.
We operate an ISO 9001:2015 certified system and run extensive in-house testing in our Belgian laboratory, covering pressure, dimensional and performance checks.
External certifications such as FM, UL and VdS reinforce this approach and ensure consistent standards.
Our logistics operations have grown to match our international reach.
We manage a 6,000 m² warehouse in Belgium, which holds one of Europe’s largest stocks of components and allows next-day delivery for many customers.
Advanced logistics software and an in-house team coordinate everything from container imports to local distribution, supported by regional centres and partners.
Our assembly work has also developed.
We now supply prefabricated sprinkler pipes produced with dedicated welding equipment and trained technicians, improving accuracy and reducing site work.
We offer kitting and packaging for specific project phases to simplify installation.
Across all these areas, our technical teams remain available to support customers, including the ability to be on site within 24 hours for critical issues.
What trends or client demands are shaping the piping and component supply market today?
One major trend is prefabrication.
Installers face tight schedules, so there is strong demand for components that reduce site work.
Prefabricated sprinkler pipes are now widely adopted for this reason, and clients increasingly prefer integrated solutions from a single supplier.
Digitalisation is another driver.
Customers use BIM and digital procurement tools and expect suppliers to offer compatible data.
We provide Revit BIM files, digital catalogues, order tracking and online communication channels to match these expectations.
Sustainability is shaping purchasing decisions.
Clients in Europe and the Middle East are focusing on the carbon footprint of their supply chains and favour suppliers that manufacture close to the point of use.
Our Romanian facility and wider sustainability strategy respond directly to this demand, supported by durable products that reduce replacement needs.
Higher certification requirements are also influencing the market.
Many projects insist on UL, FM, VdS and CE approvals for reliability.
This is especially true for large developments in the Middle East where UL-listed components are often mandatory.
Finally, immediate availability is increasingly important.
Customers want large inventories, short lead times and strong technical support throughout the project lifecycle.
This has led us to expand stock levels and streamline logistics to meet next-day or same-day requirements whenever possible.
Looking back, what moments stand out as defining milestones in your 20-year journey?
Key milestones include our founding in 2005 by André Saelens and the decision to move from distribution to manufacturing.
Launching our Profit brand and producing the first self-designed coupling were important steps in building our own product identity.
Expanding our portfolio in the 2010s with valves, alarm valves, flexible hoses and supervisory switches widened our capabilities.
Achieving FM, VdS and UL certifications was a major validation and opened access to international projects, including our first large contract in the Middle East.
Operational milestones include establishing our 6,000 m² warehouse in Belgium, which enabled broad next-day delivery, and formalising our 24-hour on-site support.
The opening of our Romanian factory in 2024 marked our first manufacturing site outside Belgium and a significant increase in capacity.
Reaching our 20th anniversary has given us the chance to reflect on these turning points and how they have shaped the company.
What are your priorities around partnerships for the next decade?
Partnerships are central to our strategy.
We want to work more closely with installers and engineering firms from the design stage, especially on prefabrication planning.
In the Middle East we aim to strengthen ties with local distributors and may establish regional service centres or training hubs to support clients.
We will continue collaborating with AquaSecurity and maintain an active role in industry associations.
Developing strong supply-chain relationships and attracting new engineering talent will also be vital.
Our goal for the coming decade is to grow in capability and responsibility while supporting customers with high-quality products and services.