Jan van Lokven - Commercial Director Consumer Products, Koninklijke Euroma
No one holds you back at Euroma if you think things could be done better in a different way. Because this food producer's development power has taken them far. 'You can make a big impact here and at the same time work closely with major players in the food industry.'
Jan van Lokven - Commercial Director Consumer Products
Whenever possible, Commercial Director Consumer Products Jan van Lokven takes visitors on a tour of the Euroma factory. A deliberate choice, as he knows they will be impressed when they see the new state-of-the-art factory in Zwolle. 'It's new and looks impressive. More importantly, in terms of production technology, food safety, and growth opportunities, we can move forward for decades with this factory.'
This hits the nail on the head, as being at the forefront of developing and producing flavorful food solutions based on herbs and spices is Euroma's goal. They do this with a wide range of product categories including soups, meal mixes, satay sauce, salad dressings, and meal kit dressings. All based on herbs and spices. Jan is responsible for all products with a barcode, namely the Euroma brand, private label products for retailers, and co-manufacturing of A-brands for manufacturers.
A lot has happened in recent years. In 2018, Euroma acquired Intertaste and opened the new location in Zwolle in 2019.
'That's right, we haven't been idle. With 3 locations and 540 employees, we are number 3 in Europe. When I started in 2018, I was pleasantly surprised by Euroma's development power. In the past, the customer would come up with a new product and tell us how they wanted it, but now our R&D and marketing professionals come up with new concepts, develop them, and ultimately produce them for our customers. So, we help the customer succeed in the market with innovation.'
You've managed that nicely. What are the current trends?
'Healthy eating is a major trend. Where sugar and salt reduction is an important theme. That's why we develop new recipes for customers with less sugar and salt, and ensure that dishes remain flavorful with the right herbs and spices. Because ultimately, taste is very important to consumers when it comes to food. In addition, new consumption moments and the growth of small households are important developments. We cater to these with new packaging and concepts that fit perfectly into the new in-between moments. That position is incredibly cool.'
How does this translate internally?
'As a Key Account Manager, the result is an extremely close collaboration with the customer. You liaise with the customer daily, negotiate with buyers, and maintain close contact with various internal and customer disciplines, such as marketing, quality, production, and logistics. Demonstrating leadership is essential to manage everything well and assess priorities correctly. Besides your coordinating role, you really dive into the details when necessary. It can be quite a challenge at times, but when you manage to deliver results with all these different disciplines and people, it's super exciting.'
What are the plans for the future?
'Growth! It's up to the Key Account Manager to achieve that with current and new customers.'
And in terms of sustainability? What is your concrete contribution?
'We are a co-founder of the Sustainable Spices Initiative and our factory is Breeam certified. Additionally, the shift towards sustainable packaging is high on our agenda. Not only for our own brand but also for the private label segment and our A-brand manufacturers.'
Enough ambition! With what kind of team do you manage all that?
'The commercial team is a nice, young team. Additionally, you work in a team setting with colleagues from different disciplines. As a result, you collaborate with diverse people. There is little hierarchy. The doors are open, and everyone feels free to walk in anywhere.'
Jan, you have a background in consumer products at major players. What makes it interesting to work at Euroma?
'In a company of our size, you can make a lot of impact. That's where I draw my energy from, and I see that reflected in my colleagues as well. At the same time, I deal with large professional clients. When you work with these types of clients, you also need to perform at a professional level yourself. What further appeals to me is that there is something to improve every day. If you think something can be done better in a different way, there is no one stopping you. That's just fun.'
Photo: Robert Westera