Interview with Akos Niederland from ZLT

1.Dear Akos, a few words about ZLT and your Role in the company?

We have been on the Hungarian market for almost 30 years now, offering tailor made solutions for our industrial partners.

I have been with ZLT for over five years now. Initially, I was responsible for strategic procurement, and for more than three years now, I have been leading the entire procurement team. Additionally, for more than two years, I have been a member of the ZLT Board of Directors.

2.If we look at ZLT in detail, what services do you offer your customers?

We operate consignment warehouses and industrial vending machines, supported by our proprietary software solution (SCM), which we provide free of charge. Our services include machine repair and maintenance, access to an online webshop, and static catalogs tailored for our partners. For key clients, we offer free domestic delivery, extended payment terms. Additionally, we specialize in sourcing unique and hard-to-find products, thanks to the expertise of our dedicated procurement team

3.You have been working successfully in the field of industrial services (vending machines, etc.) for years. How do you see the future in this area?

There is a constant demand from our partners, especially in today’s challenging economic environment, to prioritize cost-efficiency in every possible way. Industrial vending machines provide a highly relevant solution for this. In addition to reducing costs, they also decrease resource usage on the partner’s side. With these machines, there’s no need for daily quote requests, procurement processes, or employing warehouse staff for these items. The machines offer 24/7 availability, ensuring access to products even outside regular warehouse hours, which is especially beneficial for operations like three-shift schedules.

At our company, we are continuously innovating to explore and develop new solutions that address emerging needs. Last year, we introduced two new innovations: the rental vending machine, designed for high-value equipment and the scale-based vending machine, ideal for dispensing large quantities of small-sized items like fasteners, drills and bits.

I believe the future of industrial vending machines lies in fully automated warehouses, where the entire process will operate without the need for human intervention.

4.The FORMAT brand is very present in your company. What makes the FORMAT brand so special for you?

The FORMAT brand fits perfectly with our customer promise: a complete product range, high availability with fast delivery and high-quality standards.

5.Which target group do you primarily serve? Which FORMAT portfolio is particularly interesting for you?

Our target group consists of multinational and SME companies within the manufacturing industry.

Based on our experience, this is where our services are most relevant and impactful.

We also place strong emphasis on the automotive industry, utilizing a variety of solutions from FORMAT, particularly in the field of precision tools. FORMAT offers an extensive range of over 15,000 high-quality products, including precision and hand tools, surface treatment solutions, and workshop supplies.

6.You look back on a long history with the FORMAT brand. What was your favorite moment?

One of my favorite moments was witnessing our customers reactions to the quality and reliability of FORMAT products during their first introduction. It was incredibly rewarding to see that trust evolve into a long-term partnership.

7.The FORMAT brand is present with its own website, a dedicated LinkedIn page and a You-Tube channel. The FORMAT brand now has a new home in the Brand Space. Today you were able to immerse yourself in the virtual world live with VR glasses. What is your first Impression?

Impressive! The new digital channels highlight the high-quality standards of the FORMAT brand. I find it fascinating that our customers now have the opportunity to come into contact with the FORMAT brand virtually. Immersing yourself with VR glasses offers a completely new experience. The FORMAT Brandspace is truly a unique tool!

8.What can we expect from ZLT in 2025, what projects are coming up?

We aim to expand the number of services we offer across the country. Our goal is to maintain the 2024 revenue levels during the challenging year of 2025, with the potential for growth of a few percent.

• A new FORMAT catalog will be released! With new innovative solutions!

9.How can interested customers reach you?

Customers can reach us through our website,  or contacting our sales representatives. All contact information is available on our website.

We strongly believe in the power of personal meetings and negotiations, which is why we maintain personal relationships with all our current and future partners.