How Sportverlichting is growing with digital signatures
On any given weekday evening, thousands of lights illuminate sports fields across the Netherlands. This light, so essential for sport, is the domain of Sportverlichting BV. Since its founding in 2017, Martin Bolderman's company has provided high-quality LED lighting solutions for sports fields. Thanks to the use of ValidSign, the process for quotes and contracts is now much smoother. Martin shares how this digital solution is contributing to Sportverlichting's success.
A tailored approach
From local amateur clubs to stadiums that must meet stringent UEFA requirements, the Sportverlichting team always visits sites to assess the situation. This is because no two fields, needs, or clubs are the same. This personal, customised approach is the company's strength. While growth initially seemed limitless, Martin notes that the Dutch market is slowly reaching a point of saturation.
"We were one of the first, but the market is now largely saturated, and the competition has tripled," Martin explains. "LED lighting is a sustainable solution that will last clubs for years. At clubs where lighting still needs to be replaced, we're competing with numerous other providers. In such a competitive market, speed is of the essence."
Waiting for an official agreement
A large portion of Sportverlichting's clients are local sports clubs, which are organisations that run on the tireless efforts of volunteers. This is a great thing, but it can sometimes be a challenge for the business process. "Our contacts are often board members, not infrequently over 65, who meet once a month to make decisions and sign documents," Martin explains.
As a result, the contract process was agonisingly slow. A deal was agreed upon and the quote was approved, but then the waiting began. The paper contract had to be printed, sent by post, and then signed by two or three board members. "Then a board member would be on holiday, the meeting would be rescheduled, or the contract would simply get lost at the bottom of a pile. Sometimes, after weeks of waiting, we would get a few photos of the signed pages emailed back." On average, it took two months for a signed contract to be returned. This meant two months of uncertainty, delayed cash flow, and a project that couldn't be scheduled. "We couldn't drive across the country for every contract either. It was simply not working."
The digital acceleration
Martin knew things had to change. To stay ahead of the competition and achieve his growth ambitions, the process from quote to order had to be drastically sped up. His search for a solution led him to his own city. "ValidSign was a well-known name in Deventer. I started googling, and it turned out to be exactly what I had in mind."
The switch to digital signing was a complete gamechanger for Sportverlichting. The results speak for themselves. The average signing time plummeted from two months to just three days. "That's fantastic," Martin says enthusiastically. "It gives a huge boost to your cash flow. You're on top of things and can start the implementation much faster."
But the benefit was two-fold. In addition to the immense speed gain, it also gave Martin, as a business owner, much more control. "I am always one of the signatories myself. By setting the signing order, the sales team can proceed as they like. I see every contract come in for the final check and signature. This gives me a perfect feel for what's happening in the company without being a bottleneck." Even when he is not in the office, he signs contracts via the app on his phone. "You see a notification, open the app, and it's done in a spare minute. It works perfectly."
Pushing boundaries
With a well-oiled and efficient organisation in the Netherlands, Sportverlichting took the next step: international expansion. The German market, which was still far behind in LED lighting, offered huge opportunities. A German branch was established, and the proven approach was rolled out there as well.
"In Germany, people are a bit more conservative, and they sometimes think digital signing is a little strange," Martin notes. "But it works. Thanks to the European eIDAS regulation, it's fully legally valid, so we can carry over our efficient process one-to-one." The foundation laid in the Netherlands with a fast and reliable workflow proved to be the perfect springboard for international growth.
For Martin, the conclusion is clear. "Every company should switch to ValidSign. The speed you gain is unprecedented. And the overview you get as a business owner of all the contracts going out is just great." It allows Sportverlichting to continue to grow, stay ahead of the competition, and provide sports fields in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and even beyond, with the best possible light.
