VDL TBP Electronics, the Dutch-based EMS provider, builds products where failure simply isn’t an option. Specializing in low-to-medium volume, high-complexity production across sectors like Semicon & Analytics, Lighting, Science & Health, Energy & Industry, Vision, Security & Space.
Every board they assemble could end up in a satellite, a radar, or a life-saving medical device – and their customers expect nothing less than excellence. And it’s for that reason that they needed to get on top of their test data, and precisely why they came to WATS.
Centralizing insight
For Steven Van Hout, Manager of Test Engineering at VDL TBP Electronics, achieving that excellence starts even before a single board is designed. His team is deeply involved in early supplier service, helping customers refine designs for both manufacturability and testability. That proactive approach is backed by powerful infrastructure, including WATS, the test data management platform they’ve relied on for over a decade.
”At VDL TBP, we don’t just assemble - we are a one-stop-shop partner. Our early involvement services in product design helps customers reduce test iterations, accelerate time to market, and ensure compliance from day one. Getting it right the first time is in our DNA
Steven Van HoutManager Test Engineering at VDL TBP Electronics
Before WATS, test data at VDL TBP was often a challenge to access in its entirety. Each test system stored results locally. Extracting full traceability on a single board meant digging through multiple machines, manually tracking serial numbers, and often taking hours to compile the full story.
WATS changed all that. By standardizing how test data is captured, stored, and accessed, VDL TBP suddenly had a unified view of production performance. Today, everything from test yields to detailed failure data is instantly accessible, making it far easier to track issues, validate systems, and deliver high-quality outcomes for customers.
”If you took WATS away from us now, we’d have a serious problem. We rely on it every day – for insight, for quality, for customer satisfaction. It’s a core part of how we operate.
Steven Van HoutManager Test Engineering at VDL TBP Electronics
Bridging distance, ensuring quality
One of the challenges VDL TBP faces is geography. The test engineering department and manufacturing team are placed 140 kilometers apart between two sites in the Netherlands, so staying aligned means relying on systems that provide real-time visibility and efficient communication.
That’s where the integrated Tickets System in WATS has made a big impact. If the production floor encounters a problem, they log a ticket directly in WATS. The test team is notified immediately and can route the issue to the right engineer for resolution. It’s a clear, auditable workflow that means nothing gets missed and problems are solved faster.
Even more value lies in WATS’ reporting capabilities. With consistent, shareable test reports, VDL TBP can provide customers with comprehensive documentation on every product. In some cases, those reports have enabled remote approval of test systems, removing the need for time-consuming site visits.
What’s next?
For a company that produces mission-critical systems, customer trust is everything, and WATS has become a powerful tool for VDL TBP to build that trust.
”When we talk to new customers, we always explain that we use WATS and that means we can provide full transparency into test performance. You can immediately see the confidence it gives them.
Steven Van HoutManager Test Engineering at VDL TBP Electronics
The plan now is to take that transparency even further. Soon, VDL TBP hopes to offer customers direct access to their own test data through WATS, enabling them to download reports as needed and maintain full oversight of their product quality.
While WATS is already deeply embedded in VDL TBP’s processes, the team is actively working to bring the repair module back into daily use, creating data flows to automate defect tracking, log any potential repair actions, and build a richer dataset for continuous further improvement.
Other enhancements are also in the pipeline, from integrating older test setups via the Asset Management module to exploring features like heat maps for visualizing failure points. For VDL TBP, the tools are all there – it’s just a matter of implementation.
For more information on VDL TBP Electronics visit their website
