News

After the successful exhibition in 2011, we will again exhibit Satino Black at the Facilities trade fair, which runs from 18 to 20 January 2012 inclusive in the Brabanthallen in 's Hertogenbosch. “An excellent opportunity to meet our target group”, explains Albert Mey, our Washroom concept manager.

Since the introduction of Satino Black in May 2010, the media has visited our company with increasing frequency. At the beginning, it was mainly the daily newspapers and the trade press that devoted generous amounts of copy to the most sustainable hygienic paper in the world, but this year we have been visited by a conspicuously large number of foreign and national TV crews.

“As office manager, I am expected to respect CSR principles in the office as well”, says Marleen Gommans. “If we want to lead in terms of CSR with Satino Black - a position we have in fact achieved - it's only logical that we should also apply the same environmental principles within our company.

Just recently, the province of Friesland and Theater de Maaspoort in Venlo decided in favour of purchasing Satino Black. The province of Friesland and Van Houtum have also entered into an additional closed-loop recycling agreement. We take back recovered paper from the province and turn it into Satino Black, which is subsequently purchased by the province of Friesland again.

The Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run) will be held in Nijmegen, Holland, for the 28th occasion on Sunday 20 November. This run, which holds a prominent place on the competition calendar, is considered to be the most sustainable running event in Europe. Last year, the European Athletics Federation awarded the organisers the Innovation Prize for sustainability.

The new head office of Rabobank Roermond - Echt, opposite Roermond-Zuid and situated directly next to the A73 motorway, has been fully fitted out with Satino Black and 20 Satino Multi Mirrors. The building is 7 storeys high and will house 200 employees from the date of the opening on Monday 19 December 2011. Rabobank Director Johan Verhagen: “Van Houtum's CSR policy is very appealing.....

Our achievement in winning the silver Pentawards 2011, which we received during the award ceremony in Times Square in New York at the end of September has led to a storm of reactions and congratulations. Both customers and colleagues have reacted enthusiastically. “Wow. Congratulations on your prize. What an honour! What a fine performance!” The good news has already generated all kinds of publicity.

“We fully condone Van Houtum's philosophy on ecology. The way in which the company has adopted Corporate Social Responsibility as the linchpin of its business philosophy is an example for all to follow.” We are talking to Erwin Allary, the managing director of Belgian company JuKoMa (All Top Clean Products), the wholesaler in Peer that recently became our Satino Partner for the Belgian province of Limburg.

Recently – at the beginning of July – we became members of B.A.U.M in Germany. B.A.U.M. stands for Bundesdeutscher Arbeitskreis für umweltbewusstes Management and consists of a large information network for environmental management and sustainable development with over 500 members. Peter Grau, account manager for Germany: “BAUM gives us the opportunity to introduce Satino Black to a large group of like-minded companies in Germany."

From 22 to 24 June, Toin van der Velden and Rob Stevens took part in the Hansa Green Tour to Hamburg. With 20 companies, they visited four cities during the tour - Aurich, Bremen, Bremerhaven and Hamburg - to exchange German and Dutch CSR experiences with each other. Toin van der Velden, general sales manager: “Germany leads the way with regard to green energy."

Jordie Brouwer joined us as of 1 July as our new account manager for Industry & Institutions. He will concentrate on the institutional and industrial wholesale trade and has almost completed his introductory weeks. “I first became acquainted with the market and our existing customers. In the coming months, we will develop a plan to acquire new customers.”

In the North of the Netherlands we have recently started working with the young business EPRON in order to place the theme of Corporate Social Responsibility more firmly on the map in business. EPRON primarily advises businesses in the SME sector in order to achieve their sustainable development targets.

“Hospital hygiene is extremely important for the patient. And good hygiene starts with hand hygiene. If there's a company that knows about hand hygiene, it's us.” Therefore it is no surprise, says Director Henk van Houtum, that we want to work with a number of parties on innovation in the medical sector. “Particularly at the bedside, because there are possibilities for lightening the workload there.”

Widespread recognition of our outstanding market position in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, as evidenced by the prizes and certificates we have been awarded, has led to a new shareholder investing in Van Houtum. Private equity firm Friesland Bank Investments (FBI) has purchased a majority shareholding in Van Houtum, effective retroactively from 1 January 2011. The other shares remain in the hands of the management.

Twenty-two kids from grades 7 and 8 of the Lambertus primary school in Swalmen recently visited us to find out more about our environmentally friendly production processes. Their visit was part of the so-called Environmental Meetings Programme (EMP) in which various schools in Middle Limburg participated. QHSE coordinator Jos Manders: “In line with our CSR guidelines, we are happy to invest time and energy in the young people around us. These kinds of visits are intended to teach them something useful for the future.”

The release of the new Satino Black product catalogue in digital form makes it even easier to explore the world of Satino Black. Nick op den Buijsch, concept manager for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): “All our innovations in the area of sanitary facilities have been collected in this catalogue.”

“In view of our shared past, it's only logical that we have become a Satino Partner,” says director Jos Kaarsemaker of Swisher Nederland. “During our start-up phase, 12 years ago, Van Houtum was instrumental in helping us grow the business. At the time, we had very few clients, but Van Houtum was ready and willing to help us. The result was a solid and long-lasting relationship based on mutual trust and loyalty.”

Spain is going through a period of uncertainty and experiencing extremely high levels of unemployment, in particular among young people. The economic crisis is impacting many people. Rob Didden, export sales manager: “Nevertheless, our Spanish distributor, EurodelHarpas, has successfully worked together with us to recruit a significant number of new end users of Satino Black. In view of the pessimism that presently permeates Spain, that is really an excellent result.”

An SGA (Small Group Activity) team led by Karel van Mullekom has succeeded in significantly reducing the number of transports needed to move parent reels of paper between our various sites in Swalmen. Sandra de Laat, customer service manager and member of this SGA team: “It's too early to make a final assessment, but it's already clear that we will be realizing significant savings on renting material and hiring personnel as well as transport costs. Of course the environment will also benefit as a result.”

Van Houtum will participate in the Samenloop voor Hoop (walking together for hope) walk in sports park De Wijher in Roermond on Saturday 28 and 29 May with no less than 5 teams of 20 entrants, including 1 children's team. The proceeds will be donated to KWF Kankerbestrijding, a Dutch organisation that fights cancer. Helma Coolen, who works in the accounts department at Van Houtum: “The level of enthusiasm for participating in the walk among the staff at Van Houtum and their family and friends is huge.

The first Dare to be Black event for Satino resellers in the Netherlands and Belgium will be held in the Hilvaria Studios in Hilvarenbeek on Thursday 9 June. “This day is intended to strengthen and deepen the relationship with our Satino resellers”, says Nick op den Buijsch, Van Houtum's CSR concept manager. “At the same time, we want to help them market the Satino Black concept successfully.”

ABN AMRO Lease in Utrecht is the first end-user to install the complete Satino Black concept in its toilet areas, which have been in use in the new form since 1 April. By complete concept, we mean paper, all the dispensers and the foam soap. Dorothee Kuin, Facility Services manager at ABN AMRO Lease: “Everybody reacts enthusiastically and finds the toilet areas to be very user-friendly."

Folded paper hand towels are available in all shapes and sizes, but Satino Black Z-fold hand towels are unique in that they make a real contribution to reducing the quantity of hygienic paper in sanitary areas. They also prevent waste, as the intelligent Z-fold system minimises folded depth and ensures full use of the towel.

Heineken Netherlands recently started to use Satino Black toilet paper and paper hand towels. Rutger Kleinmann, contract manager at Heineken Netherlands. “In an independent survey that we commissioned, Satino Black scored extremely highly in terms of sustainability and hygiene. The hygiene score in particular led to a positive decision.”

Weska in Rotterdam recently joined the group of Satino Partners. Weska is the wholesaler for cleaning professionals. Managing Director Johan Willems: “We are very pleased with this agreement. We have worked together now very agreeably for nearly 10 years. So this partnership is a logical development.”

Operator Mohan Ramachandra: “We don't need to blow this up out of proportion. You keep things tidy at home, don't you. Well, I clean up our car park once a week and it takes about 2 hours. It's a fast, easy job and gives our customers a good first impression when they visit the company.”

More and more European governments strive to achieve sustainability. Frans Jacobs, our account manager for Belgium and Luxembourg: “An example; if you read the memorandum called Experience by Inspiration (Ervaring door Inspiratie) written by the Flemish Minister of Habitat, Nature and Culture (Leefmilieu, Natuur en Cultuur), Joke Schauvliege, you will find many similarities with the messages we put on the Satino Black toilet tile.”

“We can look back on a highly successful exhibition. Several large companies and government bodies showed interest in our Satino Black Line and filled out contact forms. The additions to our Satino Black range were also received with enthusiasm.” Albert Mey, our Washrooms concept manager, sums up the results of three days at the Facilitair exhibition in the Brabanthallen complex in 's-Hertogenbosch.

We have won the Arbo Trophy (award for excellent occupational health and safety conditions) from the Royal Dutch Association of Paper and Cardboard Manufacturers (VNP) for the 3rd time in 4 years. HSEQ coordinator Jos Manders: “It has almost become a habit in our company, but obviously you have to work on safety all the time. It requires significant effort and continual attention and that's something we do very well here.”

Vital people radiate energy. They seem more alive, get things done seemingly effortlessly and are sociable. Your vitality is wonderful both for you and for your environment. That is why Van Houtum attaches a lot of importance to vitality management. However the employees themselves are also enthusiastically playing their part.

Our Satino Black product range is generating a growing number of enthusiastic end users. This is due, on the one hand, to a successful and still ongoing promotional campaign, and, on the other, to the combined efforts of our account managers and Satino partners that are now bearing fruit.

The webportal for our Dutch-speaking Satino partners has been online since December. This means that 24 hours a day and seven days a week they have access to the essential product and background information from Satino.

This year we are thinking big at the Facilities Trade Fair. Satino will make its mark with several innovative washroom products. From our ultra-environment friendly Satino Black label to the major relaunch of our Smart Line dispensers.

Tax inspector Jos Linssen: “If you asked me who manages their tax commitments perfectly, I'd have to say Van Houtum. Tax audits in the past have never resulted in corrections of any substance.” Consequently, we were able to enter into a Horizontal Supervision agreement with the tax authorities in Roermond on 8 November. This means that the traditional on-site tax audits are a thing of the past. “We assume that the figures in the tax returns are correct”.

We are running an exciting and very lucrative Satino Black autumn promotion in November and December. This is the first time ever that such a unique product has been made available on such favourable terms. Call us or email us today to start reaping the benefits as soon as possible.

An autumn classic, the Seven Hills Run (Zevenheuvelenloop), is planned to take place again this year on Sunday 21 November. This course takes the runners on a 15-kilometre route from Nijmegen to Groesbeek. The foundation that organises the Zevenheuvelenloop as part of its efforts to promote sustainability has found a fervent sponsor in Satino Black.

KH Packaging is proud of its status as one of the two official Satino Partners in England. The company's goal is to increase the sales of sustainable products in Great Britain. The strong message behind Satino, including all the expertise and experience in the Dutch market, will help this distributor in achieving that.

In October, we invited approximately 250 business guests to join us when we organised a grand festive event in celebration of our company's 75th anniversary. After the lunch, University lecturer and former astronaut, Wubbo Ockels gave a talk on sustainable technology and Cradle to Cradle founder, Michael Braungart, inspired his audience with a fascinating speech in support of his innovative philosophy.

Van Houtum was one of the finalists for the Limburg Export Award on Tuesday 2 November. During the festive award winners' ceremony at the site of Van Aarsen International, last year's winner, we competed with two other nominees for this exclusive honour. The award ultimately went to Scelta Mushrooms in Venlo.

At the 1st of October Michael Braungart and our Managing Director Henk van Houtum signed the “Cradle to Cradle Organization” Charter. ‘This is a confirmation of the road we’re on,’ explains Henk. ‘We want to be a company with a positive agenda.’

The jury of one of the most prestigious international design competitions has awarded the Satino Black packaging with a Red Dot award: Communication Design. With this award Satino Black gets recognition for the high design quality. The Satino Black packaging is designed by VanBerlo Communications from Eindhoven.

As firm believers in CSR, we as a company feel that we have a duty to ensure that our children and grandchildren will enjoy at least the same opportunities as we have. That certainly includes having a safe and pleasant area to play. That was why we donated a Zoneparc to local primary school De Octopus.

The Energietransitie Papierketen is an industry-wide innovation initiative. The goal is to achieve an energy saving of 50 percent throughout the supply chain by 2020. Van Houtum is a participant in a project that focuses on reducing dryer energy consumption. The results are promising: the new dryer hood reduces gas consumption substantially.

As of September 2010, Satino Black will be offered for sale by the Natuurwinkel and other natural food and health food shops in the Netherlands and Belgium. This initiative is a response to strongly increasing consumer demand for Cradle to Cradle toilet paper.

He knows all about the theory explaining why certain target groups choose sustainable toilet paper. He uses that knowledge in his daily work to put CSR-minded customers in contact with our Satino Partners. We are talking of course about a new colleague: marketing and business development executive Rob Stevens.

Total Cleaning Products was set up as an official Satino Partner in February. This wholesaler in Naarden aims to achieve a growth of 15 percent per annum in the next few years. In order to do so, the company wishes to continue to work together with Van Houtum. The Satino Partnership will contribute to this.

The preparations are complete, and after the summer holidays, a new truck will be shuttling back and forth between our two production sites. The truck will be very eco-friendly without any concessions being made in terms of performance, durability and reliability.

We opened our doors to all of the inhabitants of Swalmen on 3 July as part of our anniversary year activities. More than 1100 people took the opportunity of viewing our production process and the results of the recent structural alterations. Various extras and activities made it a memorable day out for everybody who participated.

Managing director Henk Van Houtum has been nominated for the Entrepreneur Of The Year award. The contest is organized by Ernst & Young Tax Consultants and is being held this year for the 15th time. On 7 September, the finalists will be chosen who will continue on to the gala final, and on 9 October, the professional jury will announce the winner.

Our product catalogue has gone through a significant makeover. In addition to an overview of our products and quality assortment, this reference work now also provides logically structured information about environmental quality marks, services and guarantees, making it an ideal tool!

Focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability can be profitable, but only if the player concerned is completely transparent about what takes place throughout the entire production chain. Van Houtum emphasizes this time and again.

Van Houtum is the first company in the Netherlands to have passed the certification process for the NEN-EN 16001 energy standard. This confirms once again that our energy management system complies with the strictest European standards and that we systematically save on energy and related costs.

For the third year in succession, Van Houtum B.V. has once again been voted one of the 45 best managed companies in the Netherlands. This is the result of the Best Managed Companies programme that Deloitte organises in collaboration with TiasNimbas Business School, the Chamber of Commerce, employers' federation VNO-NCW and business magazine Management Team. The competition tracks down the best managed businesses in the Netherlands in the large and medium-sized category.

Van Houtum is the first company in the Netherlands to have been awarded the NEN-EN 16001 energy management system standard certification. The certificate was recently handed over to Managing Director Henk van Houtum and Energy Coordinator Ronald Kok by Wim Post of Lloyd’s Register Nederland and Bert Dijkstra, a consultant at NEN Energy Resources.

We presented our inspiring new ‘look & feel' during the ISSA Interclean exhibition in Amsterdam RAI. This was where we launched the restyled logo for Satino and our audacious ‘Dare to be Black’ campaign. The many visitors to our stand were pleasantly surprised.

What do pale blue toilet paper, lower postage costs, Limburg tart and Doctors without Borders have in common? A Facility Service Desk Coordinator called Patrick Souren. He won the Province of Limburg Innovation Prize with an idea that was inspired by Van Houtum.

Sustainable development is a choice we have made based on our principles. Consequently, we also want to make responsible financial choices. So our collaboration with Triodos Bank, which is committed to sustainable development, is no more than logical.

Strong wholesale partners are of essential importance for our distribution. Consequently, we continue to expand our network of Satino Partners. At the end of 2009, Boso in Sneek was officially nominated as a Satino Partner.

What an exciting start to the year! Our 75th anniversary, the new Corporate Identity, the metamorphosis of Satino - we want everybody to join in with the celebrations. On 3 July we will hold an Open Day when everybody can visit us. However, we felt that our contemporaries in Swalmen deserved preferential attention. They were given a treat at the beginning of April.

The information on a product's packaging is not always completely accurate. So an accredited quality label that guarantees you value for money is a welcome development. In the UK market, we chose to apply for the CHSA's Soft Tissue Standard.

It was a hard-fought conquest. After all, who doesn't want to supply the RAI? We and our Satino Partner, Piecom, pulled out all the stops in order to win a contract renewal. And our efforts have been rewarded, we have retained the RAI's business…

The town hall in Boskoop will showcase a number of FSC-certified wood and paper products from 19 February onwards. Our Satino Nature products are among the eye-catchers. Quite a surprise for people who couldn't imagine that such a thing as FSC-certified tissue paper existed…

Full of inspiration for the future. That is our message in our anniversary year. We sent you information on our ‘make-over' in February. A seahorse now features prominently in our company logo...

The first business card of De Groene Zaak was symbolically handed out by Dutch Secretary of State Heemskerk of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The members of this business association collaborate with each other - and with the government - in accelerating the creation of a sustainable economy.

Sponsorship of a latrine project in Burkina Faso
We regularly sponsor sustainable micro-projects that are related to our business activities. For example, as a result of our support, the Stichting Kinderhulp Burkina Faso (a foundation for child aid in Burkina Faso) will now be able to build twenty latrines. Monique Wolters, the initiator of this project, is very grateful for our help.

Van Houtum Papier was one of the three finalists for the award for De Roermondse Ondernemer van het Jaar 2010 (The Best Entrepreneur in Roermond in 2010). 18th January, City Alderman Jos van Rey handed the award to Poulissen Audio Video Center. The third nominee was Houben Mediatechniek. 

2010 will be an exciting year! Van Houtum has set up a schedule full of special activities in order to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary. For example, the new corporate style will be introduced in February and the stand at Interclean will be more surprising than ever before…

Van Houtum Papier has won the paper industry ARBO Trofee 2009 (trophy for working conditions). That's the second time in three years. A unique performance!  The safety and health commission accepted the award from the Dutch Association of Paper and Board Manufacturers (Koninklijke Vereniging van de Nederlandse Papier- en kartonfabrieken or VNP) on 11 January 2010.

A Top 5 list of Daily Eco Crimes has been drawn up following the climate summit in Copenhagen. Did you know that soft, non-recycled toilet paper comes in second? A strong argument for making an immediate switch to our 100% pure Satino Nature. Because Satino Nature is both fully recycled and Cradle to Cradle!

When Customer Service plans a meeting outside the company, who stands in for the department? Their colleagues in Sales of course! On 17 December, the Sales department showed us that their hearts are in the right place. That too is Corporate Social Responsibility.

As of 1 January 2010, Van Houtum Papier has been appointed Gom Schoonhouden's preferred supplier for paper towels and toilet paper. The activities of the two companies are a perfect fit and the new alliance will create new opportunities.

Van Houtum Papier and the Swalm river have been neighbours for almost 75 years, and the river plays an essential role in the production of hygienic paper. Because we would like to do something in return we are creating a green corridor between the Swalm and the factory, in which birds, butterflies and other insects will feel right at home.

On Thursday, 19 November, we opened our company to a seminar by FSC Belgium. The participants were impressed with the way in which we have developed hygienic paper in accordance with the Cradle to Cradle principle. Therefore, neither the paper nor the production process leaves behind harmful traces in the environment.

Optimizing the energy of employees and the organization. There is a nice term for this: vitality management. Training coordinator Hans van Houts interpreted this in sportsmanlike fashion by entering a company team in the Seven Hills Race in Nijmegen. His initiative also included a sustainable element. 

Leros Chemie in Oss was founded half a century ago, and we have been working with them for over thirty years. We could call this a sustainable relationship. Over the years, the wholesaler has grown from a small importer into a professional Satino Partner.

“Attention for people, planet and profit is an essential part of our daily thoughts and actions. The Toyota Prius is therefore a logical choice for a leased company car. It is 85 percent recyclable and, with an average fuel consumption of 4.3 L/100 km, it scores better than any other petrol-fuelled family car.”

It is an ingenious yet simple idea: the 'Oud Papier Binder (OPB)' (Waste Paper Binder) by entrepreneur Irmgard Kreuze. Because we warmly support this sustainable initiative, we sponsored the first practical trial in Roermond.

Sales Manager Export Rob Didden was awarded the title of Export Manager of the Year on Tuesday, 6 October. During a dazzling ceremony at the ING House in Amsterdam, he left the three other nominees behind. 

Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme visited our head office in Swalmen on 29 September. As a member of the board of MVO Nederland (CSR Netherlands), his focus is on corporate social responsibility (CSR) frontrunners and international CSR themes. He can also do a lot for our customers in terms of networking.

“In effect, the Satino Multi Mirror programme was there for the taking,” asserts Geert Ridderbos, Head of Internal Services & Computerisation for the Municipality of Veere. “We want to be a sustainable community, which for us means being proud of what you have. This already played an important role during the reorganisation of municipal boundaries in 1997: making sure that we preserve the assets of our village centres. Specifically that means nature and tranquility. That's what draws the tourists here.

Albert Mey joined our team on 7 September. The new Concept Manager Washroom starts off with a challenging assignment: finding product and service solutions that will contribute to an improved washroom experience. 

Satino Nature, our Cradle to Cradle toilet paper, was one of ten initiatives nominated for Sustainable Tuesday. Five out of the 378 products submitted received an incentive award. Princess Irene of the Netherlands was also presented with a Sustainable Award.

We welcomed a large number of Satino partners on Sustainability Day, Wednesday 9 September. In an interactive workshop, they were presented with Ten Golden Tips to implement CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in their own company.

Wholesalers selling cleaning and hygienic products are benefiting from the threat of the influenza pandemic. Demand for paper towels, soap and 'alcohol disinfectant cleaners' has grown exponentially in recent months. This development represents an additional stimulus for our C2C tissue paper, which was introduced in July.

‘The manner in which Van Houtum Papier expresses corporate social responsibility serves as a role model for other companies,’ enthused Jacqueline Cramer, the Dutch Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, while complimenting CEO Henk van Houtum during a meeting at the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment in The Hague. Henk van Houtum presented the Minister with the first roll of fully biodegradable toilet paper at the gathering.

An organisation without paper documents is a long way off for many people. We struggle to manage the many of data generated, sent and received every day. Our Customer Service department has therefore set up an offensive: ‘No paper to waste’.

The lawn mowers that keep the green strip around our mill at Reubenberg in check, no longer purr, they bleat. For the last few weeks four sheep have been happily munching on the grass and weeds. This is to the great amusement of the operators who, as well as toilet rolls, now regularly see sheep passing by.

Nick op den Buijsch has been among our rank and file since May. As Concept Manager Corporate Social Responsibility (MVO in Dutch) it is his duty to listen to all interested parties, gather ideas and translate these ideas into clear concepts. In this way he is going to lay down a bridge between our company and the market.

The cleaning systems wholesaler Saturnus Reinigingssystemen came knocking at our company's door. There was a good reason for this. More and more of their clients were asking for sustainable quality products at a fair price. Hence: a Satino Partner was born.

Paper was first made about a hundred years ago. Paper is always made from trees. If you use recycled paper as a raw material, you just stick on a layer of new paper and then you have your toilet roll. These were a few of the most notable assumptions of pupils from groups 7 and 8 who recently visited our organisation.

Van Houtum Papier is the first company in the world to produce completely biologically degradable toilet paper. In recognition of this we have received the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certificate by the American organisation MBDC, the company of the C2C founders, Braungart and McDonough. The hygienic paper, which is made from 100 percent recycled paper, already had the FSC-r label and the European Ecolabel.

Managing Director Henk van Houtum and Director of Operations Bas Gehlen are extremely proud to present the world's first environmentally friendly Cradle to Cradle toilet paper. In the background is the innovation cheque for small and medium enterprises received by Van Houtum Papier for this innovative product.

Van Houtum Papier is the most environmentally friendly tissue producer in the world. This is the conclusion of a benchmark exercise with SCA Tissue, who awarded themselves this title. Our figures - verified by the renowned Lloyd's Register Group - are considerably better. Once again we have been able to prove that caring for the environment is the spearhead of our business operations.

A closed loop in which waste becomes raw material. We apply this C2C principle in partnership with Smurfit Kappa Roermond Papier. The de-inking residue that we previously had to send to landfill or incinerate is now reused in cardboard.

Our family business is run with a natural and deep-felt respect for people and the environment. The benefits of this extend beyond our own doors. Our social awareness rubs off on our environment, on our clients and on their clients.

DaxTrio has officially become a Satino Partner. This wholesaler of medical products therefore takes its place among our preferred suppliers, all of whom believe in and strive for quality and sustainability.

Van Houtum Papier is one of the 50 best managed companies in the Netherlands. This is the verdict of the Best Managed Companies programme organised by Deloitte in cooperation with the Nyenrode Business University, the Chamber of Commerce, VNO-NCW and Management Team. The competition seeks out the 50 best managed, large to medium sized, companies in the Netherlands. Our company is also winner of the sector prize for Risk Management.

We have decided to purchase guaranteed sustainable electricity. This costs slightly more than standard electricity, but it provides us with added value in terms of achieving our goal with respect to MVO (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Van Houtum Papier has signed the Sakura Manifesto. The signatories of this Manifesto - the Province of Limburg and ten businesses from Limburg - have accepted the role of ambassador; to defend the importance of spreading and keeping alive the ideas behind the Cradle to Cradle concept.

On 13 February 2009 the Provincial Council of Limburg laid down its policy framework “Sustainable Development and Cradle to Cradle 2008-2011”. This framework is aimed at helping citizens, local governments, institutions and companies actively involved in sustainable development or C2C. Provincial Councillor Bert Kersten is convinced of the economic opportunities and lauds the example shown by companies such as Van Houtum Papier.

Van Houtum Papier has officially become a Friend of Floriade 2012. Managing Director Henk van Houtum recently received the certificate from Customer Relations Manager Juliette Pijpers.

On 5 March 2009 SBLplus officially became a Satino Partner. A step which this service provider/wholesaler from Landgraaf supports as part of its goal to achieve corporate social responsibility. Another important reason for the partnership is the exchange of innovation.

Proof again: paper hand towels perform significantly better than hot air dryers. They dry hands much more quickly and substantially reduce the number of bacteria on hands. Furthermore, the chance of cross infection in the washroom is minimal. These are the findings of recent research carried out by the University of Westminster in England.

A good image gains on all fronts for an employer: low staff turnover, a pleasant working climate, high motivation, proud employees and a large appeal to job seekers. Emphasising the P in People is in our genes. That is why we offer extra leave for extra special activities. For example voluntary work during the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) football week.

On 13 February 2009 the Provincial Council of Limburg laid down its policy framework “Sustainable Development and Cradle to Cradle 2008-2011”. This framework is aimed at helping citizens, local governments, institutions and companies actively involved in sustainable development or C2C. Provincial Councillor Bert Kersten is convinced of the economic opportunities and lauds the example shown by companies such as Van Houtum Papier.

Satino Partner Day 2008 was organised by Van Houtum Papier on Friday 21 November. Guest distributors were welcomed in the beautiful Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt in Beesd. It was an informative and inspiring day during which special attention was given to future market developments and plenty of opportunities were provided for networking with counterparts.

Van Houtum Papier presents its new concepts the Satino Towelex and the MultiMirror in an impressive looking stand during Vakbeurs Facilitair 2009 (Facilities Management Trade Exhibition). This trade event is to take place from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 January at the Brabanthallen in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch). The Satino stand will be located in the Baroniehal (hall 6), with the stand number 6.098.

The classic C-folded paper hand towels are gradually making way for Z-folded towels. According to Rob Didden, Sales Manager Export at Van Houtum Papier, this so-called interfold system guarantees optimum dispensing’. The major advantages of this system include improved hygiene, greater convenience of use and much less wastage. Satino therefore has five interfold varieties in its range.

Ap Keizer Reinigingstechnieken is a typical example of a wholesaler who has made a conscious decision to stock Satino products. By doing so the Groningen based company underlines its own policy for sustainable development. More than ten years after the flourishing partnership began, Ap Keizer was officially announced as a preferred supplier of Van Houtum Papier last November.

Companies of the future will need to anticipate the changing landscape and make sustainability a spearhead in their policy. This is the advice of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and consultancy company A.T. Kearney in their report ‘Ecoflation’. Companies that don't follow this advice can expect to see their earnings reduced by half by 2018.

Why would an account manager from the financial world prefer to work for Van Houtum? Because this successful medium- sized organisation is synonymous with innovation and daring. And also because this Limburg family business offers good working relationships, both internally and externally... We are delighted to introduce to you Paul van der Sande, Van Houtum’s new account manager for the segment Industrie & Instellingen (Industry & Institutions).

On the 1st of October the Limburg Export Award 2008 was announced. Van Houtum Papier in Swalmen was awarded third prize, and with it received a cheque to be spent on a business acquisition trip abroad. Rob Didden, Sales Manager Export, considered it a great honour to finish in the last three and is extremely satisfied. In an interview he also mentioned that he has made the Top 10 for the national award of Export Manager 2008.

The FSC label for paper guarantees that the product is manufactured from recycled fibres. Since 25 April 2008 Van Houtum Papier is an official holder of the FSC CoC-certificate (Chain of Custody). In practice this means that the paper mill is able to place the FSC Recycled label on various Satino tissue products. The introduction of certified hygienic paper in Belgium quickly drew the attention of FSC België (FSC Belgium).

“How waste becomes food”, was the main theme of Nutec, the first international exhibition concerning the subjects Cradle to Cradle-products and services. In response to an initiative by Van Houtum Papier, the Kamer van Koophandel Limburg (the Chamber of Commerce of Limburg) coordinated the participation of a number of Dutch companies in this trend setting exhibition. This led to the formation of a joint stand, with businesses from the south of the Netherlands presenting their province as ‘a Cradle to Cradle Valley’.

MVO Nederland (Dutch organization regarding Corporate Social Responsibility) organised a meeting on the 28th of October on the topic of sustainable purchasing by the government. This meeting included, in particular, an exhaustive presentation of the opportunities available to businesses able to supply goods in accordance with future legislation.

Did you know that Van Houtum Papier has an account manager specifically dedicated to new concepts? Edwin Niessen is constantly on the look for solutions to create a better washroom environment. Consider, for example, problems such as impractical toilet areas, hygiene issues and overflowing waste bins. Solving these every day irritations is where the MultiMirror and the Satino Towelex, two sophisticated product lines soon to be launched by Van Houtum, will come into their own.

The Zeeland-based company Weststrate and Limburg-based company Van Houtum Papier first started working together back in the nineteen fifties. A business alliance that is still flourishing today. The two companies can relate to each other through their businesslike attitude towards hard work, their approach to providing customer orientated solutions and their advocacy of corporate social responsibility.

The Dutch government wishes to work together with local government bodies to stimulate the market for sustainable products by itself setting a good example and implementing sustainable purchasing practices. Under the overall guidance of the Ministry for Housing, Regional Development and the Environment (Dutch acronym: VROM), clear targets have been set out: by 2010, the national government aims to purchase only 100% sustainable products.

Van Houtum Papier has already come a long way when it comes to producing along the lines of the ‘cradle-to-cradle’ concept. By 2009, products should be rolling off the conveyor belt - including toilet paper, paper towels, and wiping paper - which are 100% biodegradable.

On Wednesday 3 September, Prime Minister Balkenende paid a working visit to our company, focusing on the ‘cradle-to-cradle’ principle that we have adopted so energetically. The Prime Minister was clearly impressed: “I consider Van Houtum a fantastic example of how a company can benefit from the new reality and focus on the future.”

Member of the Provincial Executive Herman Vrehen, and director of LIOF Jer?me Verhagen have presented Van Houtum Papier Swalmen with an innovation cheque for ? 197,548. Van Houtum is to use this subsidy for the development of a production process for completely 'green' hygienic paper. This subsidy comes from 'het Operationeel Programma Zuid-Nederland' (Operational Programme South Netherlands), a new subsidy fund for innovative projects conducted by small to medium enterprises in Limburg.