On 6 October 2026, our Commercial Director Bart van Kempen will speak at the Industry Navigator 2026 Conference in Vienna. His presentation challenges a common assumption in the transformer industry: are so-called secondary suppliers really secondary?
Industry Navigator brings together experts from across the transmission and distribution sector to discuss topics such as supply chain resilience, production scalability and the future of the energy industry. During his session, Bart will share why operational suppliers often have a far greater impact on project success than their classification suggests.
The suppliers you only notice when something goes wrong
In the transformer industry, suppliers are often divided into two groups: those whose components become part of the final product and those who support the processes around it. The first group is generally considered strategic, while the second is often viewed as operational.
That distinction seems logical, until an operational supplier determines whether a transformer can be moved, installed or delivered on time. At that moment, strategic classification no longer reflects operational dependency.
Internal transport, spare parts, floor conditions and handling systems may not be visible in the finished transformer, but when they fail, the impact is immediate. Delays, escalation, unexpected costs and pressure on delivery schedules quickly affect everyone involved.
In complex projects, reliability is measured by one simple outcome: nothing gets disrupted. That is why the most valuable partners are often the least visible, because everything simply works as it should.
Join the session in Vienna
Bart’s presentation, “You only miss us when we’re gone. The uncomfortable truth about secondary suppliers,” takes place on Tuesday, 6 October, from 14:40 to 15:00.
He will discuss why operational dependencies deserve more attention, how overlooked suppliers influence project outcomes, and why collaboration, continuity planning and total cost awareness are becoming increasingly important across the transformer industry.
If you are attending Industry Navigator 2026, we look forward to meeting you in Vienna and continuing the conversation after the session. You can find the full conference agenda and more information about the event on the Industry Navigator 2026 website.
