Moekotte. Fifteen years of partnership, three funding schemes further.

The collaboration between Ignite Group and Moekotte shows how companies with the right funding expertise can deliver innovation projects successfully. By making strategic use of funding schemes, Ignite Group has been supporting Moekotte for years in technological development, automation and sustainability. For more than sixty years, Moekotte has been making sure that complex industrial processes run reliably and efficiently.

With three locations in the Netherlands, the company delivers smart solutions in electrical engineering and industrial automation, with which it raises output at major clients, lowers costs and guarantees quality.

A good example of their expertise is their own software standard AkvoNova, developed specifically for Dutch regional water authorities to automate water treatment plants. Because the software is validated, both client and developer know exactly what they are getting, which makes for an efficient and reliably working system.

But in this technically complex sector, innovation often goes hand in hand with funding. And that is where the right partner can make the difference, say Arent de Groot, Innovation Director, and Richard Dalhoeven, Manager Engineering at Moekotte.

The partnership between Ignite Group and Moekotte goes back more than 15 years. ‘’We have completed many projects successfully with Ignite Group,’’ says Richard. ‘’Such as applying for the WBSO (the Dutch R&D tax credit). We used this scheme to innovate our production process. That included developing the ‘handling’ and software innovation around a wire assembly machine we had bought, so that wires are made automatically and to size and can be fitted without an electrical engineering background.’’

Arent adds: ‘’We have drawn up a broad, strategic plan for sustainability and employability with eight components. Think of a strategic vitality policy and a personal wellbeing programme. We consider it important to invest in our people. With that in mind we applied for the MDIEU scheme, a subsidy that helps us realise our strategic plans for sustainable employability. Ignite Group looked at our budget critically and made clear which costs were eligible. We followed that advice, with a handsome awarded amount as the result. It underlines that Ignite Group keeps adding value, even after years of working together.’’

Alongside the WBSO and MDIEU schemes, Moekotte used the SPRILA subsidy for making its vehicle fleet more sustainable. Thanks to Ignite Group, the subsidy was successfully applied as an incentive for the investment in charging points. This allowed Moekotte to contribute concretely to the intended climate targets while the financial threshold of the investment was lowered. ‘’The strength of Ignite Group lies in putting the technical matter into words and in the fact that, after years of working together, they know our entire internal process inside out. So our long partnership pays off even with smaller applications like these,’’ says Arent.

Looking ahead means going all in on innovation for Moekotte. Arent: ‘’AI is going to play a major role, both for our internal processes and for solutions we implement at customers. We make extensive use of available data to make processes smarter and more efficient.’’ Richard adds: ‘’On top of that we want to use the latest techniques and materials that will help us in the energy transition. Think of energy management systems in industry. Ignite Group can certainly play a big role in that.’’

‘’Anyone who wants to make use of funding would do well to choose a partner who speaks the same language as you do,’’ Arent and Richard emphasise. ‘’For us that is Ignite Group. They know our organisation inside out and help us through the whole process, even when something unexpected happens. That gives calm and confidence, and it means we keep building progress with them.’’