Evert & Annagriet - Packaging Business Manager & HRM BP, Empatec
Evert: “In this learning and work company, in the role of Packaging Production Manager, you can feel like a kid in a candy store. You have a lot of freedom in this important role where you manage two packaging locations. If you make use of that space, you can achieve a lot.”
Evert & Annagriet - Packaging Business Manager & HRM BP
At Empatec, there is no tough culture of holding people accountable with strict KPIs, but managing a social development company is not much different from the regular business world. “We believe in work happiness and at the same time deliver value to the business world.”
It is the middle of summer, but at Empatec in Sneek, everything revolves around advent calendars, Christmas hampers, and ginger nuts. This packaging work not only brings joy to the employees of the social vocational company but also provides great value to the business world. “So much value that customers are sometimes left speechless during a tour. We often hear: ‘Never knew you could do this’,” says Evert Visser, business manager of the packaging division of the social development company with 1100 employees, 100 of whom are in the staff.
What else does Empatec do besides packaging?
Annagriet Hoekstra, HRM Business Partner: “Through the five vocational companies in Sneek, Franeker, and Wier, we provide services such as cleaning, painting, bridge operation, and processing and assembling metal and wood products. In Wier, we have our own growth garden. Here in Sneek, Empatec Packaging serves the food market, while in Franeker, Packaging serves the non-food market. The work brings color and structure to the lives of our employees with disabilities. I find it rewarding to be able to play a role in supporting, guiding, and directing employees, with the ultimate goal of promoting their work happiness and sometimes transitioning to regular employment.”
Does a modern social development company also have a commercial aspect?
Evert: “At Packaging, we use market-standard prices. We work for commercial parties, including top brands like King mints and Tony Chocolonely, who demand quality, punctuality, and flawless work. We must perform like a full-fledged company. Our processes are entirely professional, just like in any other company. Quotes on the back of a matchbox? We don't do that. This is serious business.”
You also need to secure orders, of course.
Evert: “Indeed. We can't sit back and wait for the work to come to us, but we do have a certain degree of goodwill. If we perform well in terms of price and quality, more orders will follow. This way, our growth can partially be autonomous, and we have great customers like Cloetta, UCC, Rentex, Makro, and European Aerosols. What sets us apart in business development is how we communicate and collaborate with our customers.”
How do you do that, then?
Evert: “We always think in solutions. Even if we're not sure if we can deliver on a request right away, we brainstorm within the team and develop ideas. There is a strong drive at all levels to secure the deal. Sometimes we need to invest in new machines, which involves significant amounts, but we aim to do more machine work. If a project is long-term and has a good earning potential, we invest and train our employees. This shows our customers that we are fully committed.”
Empatec clearly has a social mission. What is the biggest difference compared to a commercial enterprise?
Annagriet: “We don't have a tough culture of holding people accountable and KPIs that must be met, but we do have a budget goal to achieve. We make forecasts and monthly reports that we adjust monthly if needed. So, managing is not much different from the regular business world.”
What are the main objectives of the company?
Annagriet: "As management, we have identified two themes: positive leadership and safety. Safety doesn't just mean working safely, like placing cords in the right places, but also social safety; how we interact with each other in a pleasant way. Additionally, we have our production objectives. The hundred thousand advent calendars from Tony Chocolonely need to be packed within a certain timeframe. We closely monitor this. Every morning, we have a meeting to discuss our progress and determine if we need to scale up or down."
You mentioned positive leadership. How does that work in practice?
Annagriet: "You can reprimand someone and say: you're late or you didn't do it right again. But you can also ask: why aren't you following our agreements? We go quite far in that, sometimes involving family and guidance, because we want to understand the reasons behind."
Another example: for hygiene reasons, everyone wears protective clothing. If someone is not wearing a hairnet, we don't scold them immediately. Instead, we praise the other thirty employees who are wearing their hairnets. We appreciate the positive. Of course, we are strict when something is absolutely necessary, as food safety is our top priority."
What current issues are you dealing with?
Annagriet: "We are currently transitioning to a learning company. It's wonderful to teach our employees Dutch, strengthen their social skills, or offer them a forklift license so they can be more empowered in life. Development-oriented work requires effort from all colleagues. How do we structure the department? How do we influence employee behavior and what does the core team need for this? For this change, we are looking for a Department Manager who can think outside the box, dare to dream, and is not afraid to try new things."
Evert: "What I want to implement in the company is further efficiency. By making processes smarter and better, we can attract more work and keep it enjoyable for our employees."
Change can be challenging. Is it an extra challenge for employees with an indication?
Evert: "Our employees are not against change, but it always needs to be communicated well. It's important to announce that something will happen. If you act too impulsively, some people may be caught off guard. That's why we have a planning board where the work schedule is clearly visible, and it's fully accepted."
Is the atmosphere in the core team here more social than in a driven commercial company?
Annagriet: "Not necessarily more social, but I think the people working here are more aware of it. By nature, we understand the whole picture. Sometimes things just need to be put on the table in order to move forward in your work."
Evert: "If you come here with the idea that you're going to change the world or that it's very laid-back, you'll be disappointed. It's good to have affinity and sensitivity towards people, but you also need to stand your ground. Sometimes it's tough, sometimes gentle."
Why should someone with a great job in the corporate world apply to a social development company like Empatec?
Annagriet: "It is possible to utilize and improve your entire management skillset. Initiative is also valued within the Management Team, and we look forward to your strong input."
Ready to take that next step? Get in touch with us.
Photographer: Jelly Mellema
[Published: July 2024]
