In conversation with Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm
When you think of Vitotherm, you think of industrial burners. But behind that technical product is an organization where preparation, flexibility, and craftsmanship take center stage. Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm and responsible for the operational realization of all projects, explains how the company distinguishes itself in a constantly evolving market.
For Van Weert, one thing is crystal clear: a burner only has value when it functions perfectly within the larger system. “Everything that is sold must ultimately work. That’s what I’m responsible for,” he begins.
Together with a team that largely falls under his leadership, he focuses on production, planning, procurement, and day-to-day operations. According to him, that responsibility goes far beyond simply delivering a product.
“Our customers don’t need a machine in a box,” says Van Weert. “They need heat, often in enormous quantities. Think of millions of liters of water for horticulture, steam for industrial processes, or heat for asphalt production. Our burner is always part of a larger system. That system has to run. Always.”
Vitotherm develops and manufactures gas and oil burners for industrial applications. At a time when fossil fuels are under pressure, this sometimes raises questions among customers and partners. Yet the reality is often more complex, Van Weert observes.
“Many industries simply cannot do without reliable heat sources,” he explains. “Electrification is not always feasible or affordable. Investments are sometimes postponed, but the demand for energy remains.”
According to him, this is precisely where Vitotherm’s strength lies: efficient and clean combustion combined with flexibility.
“Our burners are robust,” says Van Weert. “Once they are running, they do what they’re supposed to do. In addition, we can configure solutions based on earlier designs. That results in a product that sits between almost-fitting standard solutions and often expensive custom work. We operate exactly in the middle.”
A key differentiator lies in commissioning. According to Van Weert, Vitotherm aims not to get it “almost right,” but to get it right the first time. “We want to do it right in one go: first time right,” he emphasizes. “And that doesn’t start on site, but in the preparation.”
Where a service engineer used to be scheduled as soon as the phone rang, Vitotherm now invests heavily in alignment beforehand. “We discuss in detail what needs to be ready, when we arrive, and exactly what we will do,” Van Weert explains. “We are flexible in our planning so that we only start when we can actually work. That prevents delays, frustration, and unnecessary costs for the customer.”
Internally, installations are also thoroughly tested before they leave the factory. “We already know it works before it’s delivered,” he says. “Whenever possible, we also prepare components in advance, so installers have less complex work to do on site. In practice, this means that on the day of delivery we arrive with a machine that essentially only needs to be switched on.”
Vitotherm’s strength lies not only in technology, but also in its people. Many employees in production have worked in the field themselves. They know the reality of installation work. “Our technicians immediately feel the consequences if something isn’t right,” says Van Weert. “That level of involvement ensures that quality is widely shared throughout the organization. If something can be improved, we redo it, even if that takes extra time.”
This culture of responsibility makes Vitotherm a reliable partner for installers. Whether it involves horticulture projects in the Netherlands or industrial applications across Europe and beyond, installers know they can rely on support, speed, and technical depth.
Despite market challenges, Van Weert also sees opportunities. Especially in the use of alternative and residual gases. “Industries are looking for ways to utilize waste gases or biogases,” he explains. “We can safely and efficiently integrate fluctuating and irregular gas flows into the combustion process.”
He also sees potential in future fuels such as hydrogen. “The supply will likely be variable,” says Van Weert. “Our systems can flexibly handle that variation within certain bandwidths. That requires knowledge of combustion, but also of the entire installation.”
So what defines Vitotherm, according to Van Weert? “We don’t just think in terms of products. We think in terms of complete solutions,” he concludes. “We understand the installation, the chain, and the practical reality. And in the end, it all comes down to one thing: that it works. That’s what energizes us.”
So what defines Vitotherm, according to Van Weert? “We don’t just think in terms of products. We think in terms of complete solutions,” he concludes. “We understand the installation, the chain, and the practical reality. And in the end, it all comes down to one thing: that it works. That’s what energizes us.”
This combination of technical expertise, thorough preparation, and committed installers positions Vitotherm as an authority in industrial combustion. Today and tomorrow.
In conversation with Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm
When you think of Vitotherm, you think of industrial burners. But behind that technical product is an organization where preparation, flexibility, and craftsmanship take center stage. Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm and responsible for the operational realization of all projects, explains how the company distinguishes itself in a constantly evolving market.
In recent weeks, we’ve experienced snow, persistent cold, and now the thaw. For many systems, this was the first real test of the winter.
SCIOS has drawn up clear guidelines for inspections.
Installations with a gas connection (standard fuels):
