Open Day theme: Old versus NewWe 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.
Karel van Mullekom, the company's training coordinator, was a member of the organising committee. “The objective of the open day was to encourage as many people as possible to come and take a look at Van Houtum. We certainly succeeded in achieving that objective! Our visitors were welcomed with pie and drinks. Groups were taken on a tour of our sites every quarter of an hour. All of the production areas were operational. At least 60% of our production staff was present. They operated the machines, explained the process and made sure that safety regulations were respected. Our office staff was responsible for welcoming our visitors and the catering.”
Various extra activities were organised in addition to the tours:
• A demonstration of old-fashioned papermaking techniques;
• A small exhibition of items from the “Terug in de tijd” (back in time) collection;
• Unusual means of transportation between the sites: old-fashioned horse-drawn trams on the journey to the sites and an ultramodern, environmentally friendly bus for the return trip;
• An ice-cream vending stall with fresh ice-cream;
• ‘
Special guests’: two camels for an unusual photograph or an unforgettable ride.
Piet Pansters, Processing Project Manager, sounds just as enthusiastic. He was closely involved in the structural alterations to the office entrance hall. “The face-lift was an ideal opportunity for showing visitors to our offices what we do with regard to CSR. We chose to use sustainable materials like bamboo, C2C tiles (
Mosa) and MDF without melamine. What I really like is the fact that our corporate identity is echoed in the interior colours: black, orangey red and blue.”
The toilet areas on the ground floor have been refurbished. They have been equipped with the very latest in sustainable washroom applications: the Satino
Multi Mirror, waterless urinals and electronic taps that keep water consumption to a minimum.
Piet also points out that a lot of thought went into creating good working conditions for the receptionists. “Enough space to work, the position of the screens, lighting, preventing draughts and so on. The reception desk is a model of efficient and ergonomic design. The receptionists have an ideal vantage point and can work efficiently and healthily!”
Our wall of fame is the finishing touch. This is a display of all the awards that we have won in recent years. An effective way of emphasising our CSR strengths.