We were invited to attend the grand opening of Dymax’s expanded European facility in Wiesbaden, Germany. For me, the visit had an added layer of meaning. This year marks 35 years since Intertronics was first appointed as a Dymax distributor in the UK. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects a relationship that has adapted over time, as technologies, products, and markets have evolved.
This is a picture of me with Dymax’s Chairman and Director, my friend Greg Bachmann. My relationship with the Bachmann family goes back to Greg’s parents, Andy and Clai, who were so very supportive of me and the Intertronics business in those early days, and who I considered as mentors. It is pleasing to see this relationship pass on through the generations, with Intertronics Joint Managing Director, Ben Swanson, joining me on the trip.
There’s something grounding about stepping inside a supplier’s operation and seeing how things actually get made, shipped, and supported. It cuts through the marketing and tells you what kind of partner they really are. The scale of the investment in Wiesbaden is immediately clear. What started as a Dymax sales office in 2011 has become a fully integrated hub, bringing together production, logistics, application engineering, and technical support under one roof. The new production areas are designed for higher throughput and tighter process control. The expanded warehouse and logistics footprint is about something more strategic: resilience. Shorter supply chains, less dependence on intercontinental shipments, and faster response to demand across Europe and the wider EMEA region. As the leading Dymax distributor in the UK, this assures us that we are best placed to support Dymax customers in our region.
That matters more than it used to. If the last few years have shown anything, it’s that supply certainty is not a given. For manufacturers working in electronics, medical devices, aerospace, and energy, delays and variability carry real cost and risk. What Dymax is doing in Wiesbaden is a direct response to that. It is not just about capacity. It is about risk management.
It is also a useful reminder of what we actually sell. Not just UV curing adhesives, and not just UV curing equipment, but the confidence that comes from a process that works reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. When a supplier invests in production, logistics, and technical capability like this, it feeds directly into that confidence.
A few takeaways worth calling out:
- Regional manufacturing is back on the agenda
Not as a political slogan, but as a practical way to reduce risk and improve responsiveness. - Integration matters more than specialisation alone
Having production, application engineering, and logistics aligned in one place shortens the gap between problem and solution. - Supply chain resilience is now a competitive advantage
Customers are not just buying performance. They are buying certainty. - Long-term partnerships still have real value
Especially when both sides continue to invest and evolve.
There is a tendency in our industry to focus on product specifications and incremental gains. Those things matter. But visits like this are a reminder that some of the most important changes happen behind the scenes, in infrastructure, capability, and intent. For me, after 35 years with Dymax, it was encouraging to see that this is a partner still investing for the future.
