November Member spotlight – Orlaco
What is your business industry category or specialty?
We design and manufacture durable, certified camera and monitor solutions (Vision Systems) that effectively eliminate the blind spots around vehicles, machinery and vessels. As an automotive certified manufacture of vision systems we deliver direct to the OEM’s of 16 industrial markets in 74 countries. We design, engineer and manufacture our products completely in house. We are personally committed to make the best camera and monitor solutions possible, to create safer and more secure workplaces around the world. Our products not only improve safety but also efficiency all while enhancing the ergonomics and comfort of the operators.
How do you describe your job to people outside the industry?
As president / CBDO of Orlaco Inc. I work together with my team here in the USA as well with the colleagues in our other offices around the world to serve our customers, to make certain that we meet and exceed our customer’s expectations by delivering a superior product and providing the best service. Together we make the world a little safer!
Who are your main competitors and what differentiates you from the competition?
What makes you unique?
Which competitors? We are unique in the market. All our products are certified products. Of course there are other companies that supply cameras, but what makes us unique is that we only develop and manufacture camera cables and monitors. We are not a subdivision of a company or industry, producing multitude of other products. We focus solely on our core competency, Vision Systems! That’s why we are the world’s specialist.
How was the business started?
Almost 30 years ago, there was an accident with a refuse truck and two children on a bike. This fatal accident was the start of developing our first vision system. The founder believes strongly that with today’s technology those accidents should belong to the past.
How many employees does the business have?
Worldwide we have 170 FTE. Here in Georgia we will grow to 55-65 employees in the coming years.
How did you end up in Atlanta?
We ended up in Atlanta because of the active recruitment of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and because the South is a thriving new automotive industrial area. Also the very good logistic services, Georgia Tech and the nice climate made us decide to move to Georgia.
What is your number one business goal over the next year?
Our number one goal is to deliver the Mirror Replacement program at all major truck OEM’s.
What is the best advice you have received regarding doing business with the Dutch?
The best advice I have received is: Stay yourself!
Any other personal information you would like to share, e.g. hobbies, special interests, family etc…
I live with my family in the Georgia mountains. I enjoy nature, the black bears especially. I also enjoy hiking, so North Georgia is the perfect place to reside. Businesswise I travel a lot, but also privately. We love to discover new places.
Contact Details:
Kurt (Koen) Dekker | President / CBDO
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Orlaco Inc.
33 confederate Avenue, Jasper, 30143, GA | USA
Cell: +1 706 301 9227
eMail: k.dekker@orlaco.com
Website: www.orlaco.com (will be completely renewed in December)
Office Locations: Jasper GA, USA
EchoBay OT, Canada
Barneveld, The Netherlands
Munchen, Germany
Kobe, Japan
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