Portrait of Tobias Vogt with ASCO Dry Ice Pelletizer P28i
Mr. Vogt, you are the Managing Director of “VT-Strahltechnik”. Please introduce yourself briefly. How long have you been with the company and what motivates you?
My name is Tobias Vogt. I am 32 years old and live in rural Gnutz - Schleswig-Holstein. I am allied and have a 9-month-old son.
“VT-Strahltechnik” has existed since March 2015 and I have been running the company completely independently since the beginning of 2022. It was already clear to me during my apprenticeship that I wanted to set up and run my own company. The decision to go into this field was finally made when I restored my Golf 1; I was so enthusiastic about sandblasting and dry ice blasting that I wanted to make it my profession.
Give us an overview of your company. What is the main business of “VT-Strahltechnik” and what sets you apart from the competition?
Our main business is currently sandblasting and dry ice blasting. Dry ice production was added in July 2024. We want to use it to build up another mainstay.
What sets us apart is that we don't turn any customers away. We fulfill all wishes, regardless of the size of the blasting object. The customer is definitely king with us.
You have rented an ASCO Dry Ice Pelletizer P28i from us. Why did you choose the “ASCO Carefree” rental model for dry ice production and how satisfied are you with it?
We opted for it because the competition was unable to make us a comparable offer. We feel that we receive very competent advice and are in good hands with ASCO. We work together as equals, which makes the collaboration extremely pleasant and congenial.
We made a conscious decision to rent rather than buy a pelletizer, as technology often develops rapidly and you can switch to a newer model or perhaps even a larger model after the rental period.
What advantages do you see in in-house dry ice production?
Flexibility is without question the top priority. Thanks to the always fresh dry ice, nothing stands in the way of efficient work. In the event of bottlenecks in day-to-day business, we can react quickly and produce fresh dry ice within a few hours. We can also deliver to customers if required.
Who are your main customers?
We as a company and other dry ice blasting customers, as well as various companies for shipping refrigeration, fresh food storage, etc.
How would you rate ASCO's support in the planning and ongoing management of your dry ice production?
The support provided by our contact at ASCO is outstanding. We receive comprehensive input and support on every issue. ASCO offers a solution for every problem and is characterized by uncomplicated and very helpful employees. It is simply a pleasure to work with this company.
What opportunities do you see to expand business with ASCO?
In the near future, we would like to put another pelletizer into operation and also purchase dry ice blasting equipment from ASCO. It is important to us to get everything from a single source.
Finally, can you share a special customer experience or memory related to dry ice that has stuck in your mind?
One formative experience was the two-year bureaucratic process with the building authorities to obtain permission for our dry ice production. The first time we pressed our own dry ice after receiving the green light was like winning the lottery and will always remain in my memory.