Esma is a true family business. For father Emmanuël Spronck and his wife Margriet, the firm remains a hobby. The day-to-day running is in the hands of son John Spronck and his wife Sonja. Together with about ten employees, they strive for permanent product development and continuous innovation.

A number of employees were asked what it's like to work at Esma; this is what they said:

At ESMA NV, I mainly handle welding and product assembly, primarily the balancing elements that are manufactured in-house.

In addition, I also weld other products for ESMA NV. Because I am always making different products, I have a very varied job. No day is the same. I chose a profession in the metal sector because I enjoy making products. I can create a product out of metal. An iron plate becomes something! It gives satisfaction to see a product come to life.

Because I have a job with a lot of variety, I can really express my creativity. We also make many special things at ESMA NV. I remember making a stage that completely disappeared into the wall thanks to the use of the right balancing elements. This stage has been installed in a sports hall/event venue, and it looks very impressive. The beauty of my work is that I can contribute to a piece of technology.

What I have also noticed lately is that we are making more design products such as bathroom furniture, handrails, and the like. Stainless steel is becoming increasingly popular in homes. What people used to see only in industry, they are now increasingly viewing as design. As a result, my work is changing. I used to make only industrial products, but nowadays we are also making more and more furniture and the like. The market is shifting.

When I am in the truck or walking through the city, I might occasionally see a truck or a container with an ESMA balancing system, and every time I feel a little proud: I really did make that!

You see what the products you make are used for, and that gives a good feeling.

My role within the company primarily involves setting up and converting machines for the manufacture of various products. Additionally, I operate the machines, repair them, and perform the necessary maintenance work. I chose a job in the metal sector because I have an affinity for iron and have always been interested in the technology behind the machines used. The nice thing about working in the metal sector, I think, is that you can be creative in the method of making products and solving potential problems.

There are products we have made that have stuck with me, such as the screws placed in someone's back after back surgery. These had to be made of "surgical" stainless steel. It is great to be able to contribute to such products.

We also make many products that you wouldn't expect when working as a lathe operator/miller. An example of this is jewelry made of titanium and stainless steel. We have made rings and bracelets for jewelers. That is quite different from a shaft or a balance wheel.

Making molds is also something different. A die is a mold used to cast plastic products, for example. Creating a good mold is complex. It is also very important that perfect products can be removed from the mold afterwards. For instance, we have made molds for aluminum pans and casseroles. It is a challenge to always work with great precision.

These are just a few examples; it is almost impossible to describe how many special products we make. A memory that will always stay with me is the first shaft I turned when I had just started working at ESMA NV.