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Behind the scenes5 min read

From Engineer to Founder: How Onepush Transforms Shipbuilding Workflows

Thomas Brandwijk shares how Onepush started from frustration and evolved into a platform that automates work preparation and connects pre-production and production in shipbuilding.

Blog thomas
Geschreven door
Thomas Brandwijk
Gepubliceerd op
31 mrt 2026

Behind the Scenes at Onepush: From Frustration to Product Innovation in Shipbuilding

I’m Thomas Brandwijk, one of the founders of Onepush, and mainly responsible for product.

Onepush didn’t start as a business idea.

It started as frustration.


From Engineer to Problem Solver

Before founding Onepush, I worked as an engineer. And like many engineers in shipbuilding, a large part of my time wasn’t spent solving complex problems.

It was spent on repetition.

Preparing the same outputs.

Rechecking information.

Manually translating 3D models into production-ready data.

It was time-consuming, and it didn’t add real value.

That frustration is where Onepush started.

I began looking for ways to automate the work preparation process, not just to save time, but to remove repetitive work and improve efficiency.

That’s where the foundation of Onepush was created.


The First Insight: Automating Work Preparation

As we explored automation further, one thing became clear:

If we could create a platform where users generate their own building packages, we could fundamentally change shipbuilding workflows.

Instead of manual preparation, engineers could:

  • define what they need

  • generate outputs automatically

  • stay in control without repetitive work

That idea shaped the early direction of Onepush.

But to build something that works in practice, we needed to go deeper.


Learning from Shipyards

We didn’t want to build software in isolation.

Firstly, we went to shipyards. We spoke with engineers, production teams, and planners. We observed how work preparation and production actually happen.

Something important stood out. We saw that many teams were marking steel plates manually, because it was critical for production. But it was repetitive, time-consuming, and completely disconnected from the digital workflow.

That’s when it became clear:

The problem is not the people.

It’s the process.


From Observation to Product: Automated Weld Markings

That insight led directly to one of our solutions: automated weld markings.

Instead of manual marking, this information is now:

  • generated directly from the 3D model

  • embedded in the building package

  • ready for production without interpretation

What used to require time, coordination, and manual work is now automated.

And that is exactly what we aim to do across the entire shipbuilding process.


Building a Shipbuilding Platform by Listening

From that point on, our approach has been consistent:

We ask.

We listen.

We observe.

And then we build.

Every feature and product decision is based on real workflows in shipbuilding.

The goal is always the same:

  • reduce repetitive work

  • improve quality and consistency

  • make processes more predictable

As product lead, my role is to translate real-world challenges into solutions that work in practice.


From Industry Expertise to Digital Shipbuilding Platform

We came from the industry.

We understood shipbuilding, workflows, and where inefficiencies occur.

What we had to learn was how to build software, and how to build software that people actually use.

That meant:

  • translating real processes into digital workflows

  • building scalable and reliable systems

  • delivering tools that support daily operations

At the same time, we brought in strong software expertise.

That combination allowed us to build a platform tailored specifically to shipbuilding, not generic software.


Onepush 4.0: Connecting Pre-Production and Production

With Onepush 4.0, we are taking the next step.

We are strengthening the connection between:

  • pre-production

  • work preparation

  • production on the shop floor

The goal remains the same: Remove unnecessary work. Increase clarity. Deliver better results.

But now, at scale.


Why This Still Drives Me

What I enjoy most is simple:

Taking real problems and turning them into solutions that improve daily work.

Not in theory.

But in practice.

Because innovation in shipbuilding is not about adding more tools.

It is about removing friction.


The Future of Digital Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding is evolving.

Automation, digital workflows, and integrated production processes are becoming essential.

At Onepush, we will continue to:

  • listen to the industry

  • build based on real needs

  • improve work preparation and production workflows

This is just the beginning.


Stay connected to read more about how shipbuilding workflows are evolving.

Lead change. Push forward.


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