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Family business Omtzigt Bouwmaterialen has been a household name as a supplier of building materials for 150 years. Dieter Filippo is managing director and has worked with Xolv for many years for credit information, credit insurance and factoring. Recently, the company asked Xolv also to guide the switch to another bank.

Dieter: "Our business no longer fitted the customer profile of our previous bank. We have been doing business with Xolv for a long time when it comes to business information and credit insurance and they therefore know our business well. So it was logical to involve Xolv in choosing a new bank as well. After all, they speak the language of banks more."

From construction company to self-employed worker
From its head office in Rijnsburg and a branch in Nieuwegein, which also acts as a logistics hub, Omtzigt supplies a wide range of customers, from large contractors and construction companies to self-employed workers. Think of finishing companies, plasterers, floor layers, metal stud builders, external wall and concrete repair companies.

Increased risks
Asked whether the high prices of construction materials and faltering supply lines are creating additional credit risks, Dieter replied in the affirmative. "Since the Covid-19 crisis, credit risks have increased. The threats are certainly there. Such as the continuous price increases of construction materials that our customers may or may not be able to pass on. The supply problems and longer delivery times that make you wait longer for your money. So you understand that it is all the more important to work with Xolv to keep our credit insurance in good order."

Creditworthiness
Assessing the creditworthiness of large contractors and individual ZZP'er differs. Dieter: "ZZP'ers we can assess with our 'self-assessment limit' based on a company profile. In addition, we usually already know a ZZP'er well, so that helps. With larger customers, we can occasionally use a Top-Up credit if their limit is not sufficient for what they take out."

 'Self-employed people also come to us for good advice'

At Omtzigt Bouwmaterialen, service orientation and a personal approach are not empty marketing slogans. Dieter: "We are committed to our customers. We connect people. And don't just supply goods but also advice. Take self-employed people. They often started their own business after working for a contractor for a number of years. With that contractor, they were mainly good at one thing, such as tiling, whereas as a self-employed person, they need to be all-round. For that, they often lack the knowledge and experience, so we help them. That advisory function is an important added value."

Neutral position
Over the years, Omtzigt Bouwmaterialen has increasingly made use of Xolv's expertise. "The moment a customer wants to buy more than the limit allows, or when a credit insurer gives too low a limit in our eyes, Xolv steps in. They find out the reason and contact our customer directly, so we remain neutral in this. Much better and more pleasant than if we were to knock on our customers' doors for business information ourselves," Dieter said.