About the unique collaboration between Waldweihrauch and Krepel

One of the best things about our work is that we get to collaborate with all kinds of special companies from all over Europe. For example, we are proud of the unique collaboration we recently started with Austrian company Waldweihrauch. Florian and Angelika Gruber produce artisan incense cones with homegrown herbs. The special-edition cones needed premium packaging and this is where we came in. We talk to Florian about his company and the collaboration with Krepel. 

How did you come up with the idea for Waldweihrauch? 

“We started Waldweihrauch in January 2020. At that time, we had already been producing incense cones for several years. We made our first incense cones on our small organic farm. The company was founded because we had to separate farming and the production of incense cones. This is because in Austria, farms mainly produce ‘Urprodukte’ which are unprocessed goods like the dried herbs we grow on our farm.”

What makes Waldweihrauch's incense cones unique? 

“Our artisanal incense cones do not contain synthetic essential oils and we don’t use artificial additives such as saltpetre. We mainly use herbs from our farm and resin from our own black pines. All cones are made according to local Austrian recipes. We also make incense cones that contain special types of incense: this is our ‘Premier Cru’ line. Cones with six kinds of boswellia incense, for example. And third, we went through old books to recreate scents from past times. From this, we created cones with six different scents from nineteenth-century France.”

Why did you decide to ask Krepel to produce the wooden packaging for part of your range?

“When we were just starting out, we packed three of our cones together with four matches in a cardboard matchbox. This way of packaging not only provides protection, but you can also use the packaging to light the cones. So two birds with one stone. But when we heard from some customers that they found the matchboxes a little too simple for our premium cones, we decided to start using wooden boxes for our special-edition cones. I started looking for the boxes that appealed to me and came across cigar boxes from De Olifant. I contacted them and learned that Krepel made the boxes. After that, contact with Krepel was quickly established.”

How did you decide on the design of the boxes? 

“I used the dimensions of De Olifant’s cigar box, because it was very suitable for shipping seven cones. We developed the larger box, which fits six different types of cones, ourselves.”

How do you describe your collaboration with Krepel?

“We experience it as very good and productive. Antoon Pelgrim is always helpful and has good suggestions on how best to implement our ideas. I would definitely recommend Krepel to other companies that need premium wood packaging!”

It all started in 1973, when Tien van Tienen from Brabant started selling vending machines for tea and coffee. His company grew rapidly and Van Tienen is now one of the largest suppliers of coffee machines, cups, sugar, milk, soft drinks, cleaning supplies and other products used in corporate canteens and kitchens. This year, the family business celebrates its 50th anniversary, which is why the new 1973 tea concept was developed: 100% organic fair trade tea of high quality. It was up to us to design and produce a stylish tea chest for them. We spoke to account manager Bart van Tienen about this special collaboration.

‘What I like so much about the collaboration with Krepel is that the lines of communication are so short. Two years ago, when we wanted to have a tea chest made for our own Tientime tea brand, I came across Antoon Pelgrim van Krepel through the grapevine. He came by and everything just fell into place instantly: beautiful products, a good price and personal contact. So there was no need to look any further’, says Bart. ‘So when we needed a chest for our newest product, anniversary tea 1973, it made sense for us to work with Krepel again’.

Family business

Bart is part of the third generation within the family business and grew up in the business. ‘The nice thing about working with your family is that you know exactly what you have in common. That has both advantages and disadvantages, but above all it’s a lot of fun. For me, the business has always been part of my life’, he explains. ‘Granddad started working for Simon Lévelt in 1963 and after ten years wanted to start his own business selling vending machines for coffee and tea. He agreed with Hans Lévelt that he could bring all his own customers with him, but on the condition that he would always continue to sell Simon Lévelt with the vending machines. Now, fifty years later, this collaboration is still very strong and Simon Lévelt is our largest coffee and tea supplier. In 2000, granddad passed on the baton to the second generation and our range continued to expand. We are now a total supplier for everything you need in corporate canteens and kitchens. From vending machines to biscuits and cleaning supplies. We also have a number of private labels of tea and coffee, of which anniversary tea 1973 is the newest.’

Of course, Van Tienen will not let the fiftieth anniversary pass unnoticed. Among other things, an anniversary magazine was printed, a festive kick-off of the anniversary year was celebrated and a number of open days are scheduled. Bart: ‘Our new private label 1973 appeared at the end of 2022, which coincided very nicely with our anniversary year. We noticed that many customers were ready for something new instead of the standard Pickwick tea and we want to respond to that with this tea line. It is one hundred percent organic fair trade tea in unbleached paper filter bags. We try to keep the product as sustainable as possible. With 1973 we’re aiming for the SME segment and so far, the tea has been very well received’.

Simple and stylish

To be able to present the new tea in a stylish way in your company, Van Tienen called in Krepel again for the design and production of a tea chest. ‘Everything went smoothly with Antoon, as usual. We were looking for a serene and sleek chest that would fit into all kinds of businesses. Simple, yet stylish. And of course our bags had to fit exactly’. The result was an 8-compartment chest with the 1973 logo on it and inside a brief text about how the company was founded in 1973. ‘We supplied our logo and the text for the inside and the rest of the design was handled very well by Krepel. Antoon personally brought the first sample. It was very nice to be able to see and talk to each other again’.

The 1973 anniversary tea chest is now available via the Van Tienen webshop.

Antoon Pelgrim celebrates 40th anniversary at Krepel

In 1982, Antoon joined Krepel as a holiday worker. A year later, he became a permanent employee, in a position that, as someone from Twente, he initially had some doubts about. ‘“Dorpels liemer”, they said’, says Antoon. In other words, someone who glues thresholds in the door department. He soon made the switch to the production of boxes and started as a salesman in the office a year later. Antoon: ‘In fact, I still do, both in the office and in the field and all over the world. But if someone asks me what I do, I always answer with “I sell boxes”. No fancy titles, just simply what I do. I have a wonderful profession. And if you’ve been working in the same place for 40 years, you simply have a good employer where you can talk about everything.’ We talk to Antoon about his anniversary at Krepel.

‘Peeling wood was the most beautiful thing to see’, Antoon begins his story while standing next to the imposing machine that was used to peel wood years ago. He explains how tree trunks were clamped and then several metres of wood peels were produced in different thicknesses for the production of wooden boxes. Next to the machine are some photos that emphasise the craft. ‘It’s still a craft’, says Antoon. ‘We deliver custom work. It is a wonderful process when a customer wants to put a product on the market and wants to have it packaged nicely. We work closely with our clients and designers. We create unique wooden packaging that complements products so that a correct and appealing overall picture is created.

Wooden packaging top three

When we ask Antoon about his packaging top three, he doesn’t have to think long. ‘The Elephant series!’ he says resolutely. ‘They’re available in big and small versions and have been around for about 40 years. Nothing has ever changed in terms of appearance, the boxes are an example to me of how beautiful simplicity can be.’ Also in Antoon’s top three: the imposing limited edition boxes for the Rembrandt collection from Royal Talens and the stylish and detailed packaging for a piece of jewellery from Aurum Brothers.

Working under three generations of Krepel

With 40 years of employment, Antoon has worked under no fewer than three generations of Krepel. ‘They all ran the company in their own way, but all with the same passion’, says Antoon. ‘When I started, Jan-Richard Krepel (senior) was leading the family business. An old-school manager. Jan-Richard Krepel who succeeded him was really into cigar boxes. He was extremely handy. He sometimes stood by me when I was making boxes, which of course would go wrong at that moment. Who knows that’s why he thought “let’s put him in the office”’, says Antoon with a laugh. Jan-Richard moved the production location to Poland and Bernhard - the current generation - also implemented changes within the family business. ‘Krepel continues to innovate. We are investing in new techniques and we can offer customers more and more. That makes the profession wonderful and our services relevant’, Antoon concludes.

Text and portrait photography: Mariëlle Schiphorst-Dolman | Vormbeeldig

Renovations spring 2022

Several renovations are scheduled for our production location in Poland this year. For example, the current incinerator will be replaced after 20 years and a silo will be installed. Krepel has been working completely gas-free for years now and these renovations enable us to work even more environmentally friendly and we meet the most stringent standards.

We have been using wood waste as heating fuel for years. “In the past, it was only possible to burn solid wood. The new incinerator, which will be installed in the spring of 2022, can also burn other wood-based materials, such as plywood or MDF. This means we can really use all our residual materials for heating purposes”, says Sławomir Ćwikła (Managing Director at Krepel in Poland).

More power and more environmentally friendly

Apart from the fact that there is even less residual waste, we provide the paint department with process heat and we can make the process even more environmentally friendly. The modern incinerator with a capacity of 600KW is not only stronger compared to the old model, but also much more efficient. “Our storage and production areas have been expanded by a few thousand square metres in recent years. We currently need to heat approximately 4,200m2, including our offices. The new system takes care of the entire heating”, Sławomir explains.

By applying a higher combustion temperature, a longer process and a modern filtration system, it is possible to reduce the emission of harmful substances by more than 90%. Thanks to an automatic emission measurement in the incinerator, we don’t exceed the applicable EU standards either. In fact, we meet the most stringent standards.

Continued automation

“Whereas until now employees filled, stored and transported bags with ash and sawdust by hand to the incinerator, this will soon be fully automated. It makes the process much more efficient. The new silo has a capacity of 300m3. This ensures waste materials can be stored in a single safe place. In addition, a fully automatic supply of wood fuel (ash and sawdust) to the incinerator is made possible thanks to the installation of an ash transport system that runs directly from the sawdust extractor to the silo. The installation of a wood chipper also improves the process”, says Sławomir.

The great collaboration with Hooghoudt

It all started in 1888, in a small cellar at Oosterstraat, a street in the very centre of Groningen. Currently the fifth generation is working at Hooghoudt, which can still proudly call itself a family business. The collaboration between Krepel and Hooghoudt sprang from a special project: developing the packaging for a 23-year-old genever. This genever is the result of barrels that at the time were filled by Hero Jan Hooghoudt (third generation).

At Hooghoudt they offer something for everyone, which means that genever has different target groups. Genever can take on the flavour of a gin, or you can let it mature which makes it more like a whiskey. “We can dress our genevers with botanicals, which has a strong impact on flavour,” Michiel Brandsma, product manager at Hooghoudt explains.  “For example, hops, iris root, liquorice and orange peel have been added to the unique 23-year-old genever that is now on the market. We continue to enrich people’s taste palettes.”

Export to US and Chinese markets

In addition to a barrel that is bottled for the Dutch market, barrels are reserved for export to America and China.  “For some time now, we’ve been working together with a number of other genever brands to put genever back on the map in America,” Michiel says. “In the US, genever is gradually growing in popularity. You can tell that the whole gin hype over there is a bit past it. Bartenders, for example, are looking for something unique again. The broad taste palette of genever offers a solution here, also for applications in cocktails. There is a need for special products for the Chinese market, as the market for these is huge. The Sweet Spiced Genever, which includes candy, cinnamon and vanilla, is our regular genever for the Chinese market. This is a sultry genever that makes for a perfect serve with ginger ale and lime and tastes like a fresh summer cocktail. With the 23-year-old genever, we are also bringing something completely different to the market in China.”

Unique packaging for a unique product

A unique product like the 23-year-old genever deserves unique packaging. Packaging that accentuates quality and authenticity. The apparently basic wooden packaging fits in well with the philosophy of the Hooghoudt brand and creates an attractive unit with the bottle thanks to the choice of materials and elements that have been applied. Oak has been used, which is the same type of wood from which the genever barrels are made. “In total there will be five generations of packaging, each symbolising the Hooghoudt generations. The bottles that come in the packaging are all unique. For example, the wax stamps are never identical and each label bears the relevant barrel and bottle number. The icons we use in the wax stamps also appear on the wooden packaging and can be traced back to the ingredients of the genever and the history of the family brand,” Michiel explains.

The packaging is open, so the bottle is central in its overall presentation. The engraved icons, for example, show the Groningen stamp, the year of creation, a still, juniper berries, a royal crown and a ‘hoogholtje’. The latter is a high wooden bridge typical for the north of the Netherlands and from which the Hooghoudt family name originates. The icons seem to be placed randomly, but their positioning has been thought through in detail.

Collaboration with a stylish result

“We had an idea for the packaging and an image of what it more or less should look like. Our question was specific, but there were also some vital details that still had to be thought out and we very much enjoyed working with Krepel in doing just that. And with a stylish result!”, Michiel says. “For example, the bottle had to be easily removable, yet remain secured in the packaging when held at an angle,” explains Antoon Pelgrim. He is a sales manager at Krepel and worked closely with Michiel. “The solution turned out to be a subtle wooden insert that keeps the shape of the packaging intact. This insert stays in place thanks to a magnet of exactly the right strength. We’ve placed foam on the inside to protect the wax cap of the bottle against any possible damage. Everything revolves around the presentation of the bottle, but the bottle must also be pristine once out of the packaging. In addition, we’ve looked at how we can develop the most appealing packaging for each market whilst still working with an identical basis. For example, the stamps for the Chinese market have not been moulded, but printed with gold foil.”

Unique tea box for Quooker

Sjoerd Vroonland (Studio Vroonland) is a designer who loves wood just as much as we do. He allows functions of existing products to merge into stylish new designs. This also applies to the tea chest he designed for Quooker and that he produced in collaboration with Krepel.

Combining functions

The tea chest is perfect in its simplicity. And that simplicity is exactly what makes this design so incredibly powerful. All elements flow seamlessly into each other, forming a stylish set in the process. The tea chest can be easily slid open thanks to a subtle opening at the back. On top, a ring has been moulded from the wood, which immediately gives a different perspective in terms of use of the box, as this can be used to put the tea bag on. By combining functions, the tea chest can also be used as a serving tray.

Simplicity is not easy

The way in which Sjoerd so aptly applies the power of simplicity in his design fits in perfectly with Quooker products. “Quooker supplies the best tap for boiling water currently available in the world. It looks like any other tap, but the smart part is hidden inside. I wanted to use that design feature in the tea chest. I couldn’t just make a tea chest that opens and closes and that’s it. It had to be something that takes you by surprise, like a discovery within stylish simplicity. But once you start talking about simplicity, it’s actually getting more complicated. The ring on top looks simple, but you can only do these things together with parties who can perform this to perfection. And the simpler it gets, the more perfect it has to be,” Sjoerd explains.

Ultimate collaboration

After talking to multiple parties, Sjoerd ultimately came to Krepel for the production of the tea chest and that turned out to be a good match: “The collaboration is magic. I dare call this the ultimate collaboration. The tea chest has something of me, the ingenuity of Quooker and the rock-solid quality of Krepel. The first samples were very good straight away. We only had to put the icing on the cake. You can produce a single tea chest to perfection, but if you produce it in large quantities, the quality has to be constant and Krepel lives up to that.”

Close cooperation

“It was a joy having Sjoerd so closely involved in the production process,” Antoon (Sales Manager at Krepel) says. “As a designer, he has the exact end result in mind. And besides clear sketches, it does also involve the necessary instinct. Creating a sample and fine-tuning it until the result is perfect are all part of this process. And the best thing is that this collaboration has led to a follow-up assignment. We are originally a producer of wooden cigar boxes. Sjoerd is working on a new type of cigar packaging, in which Krepel can make a difference as well. It’s wonderful to see how new ideas arise and take shape when you work so closely together.”

Sjoerd doesn’t hide his enthusiasm either. “My father smokes cigars as do I sometimes. So I know the standard cigar boxes and cigar cases inside out. This collaboration with Krepel and their rich history have inspired me to develop cigar packaging that is going to be quite different from the standard. It’ll be an altogether new product.”

Simplistic and stylish: packaging for Plivio

The wooden packaging should always perfectly match the product we are packing, that is one of our starting principles. But for Plivio, we went a step further. The wooden packaging became part of the product.

Every detail is right

“For Plivio, we made a sleek and very minimalist box. It is a simple design, but in combination with the product it creates a beautiful look in which every detail is just right,” explains Antoon Pelgrim, sales manager at Krepel. Plivio produces 'imagineering sets.' Unique boxes containing 3D construction sets with aluminium tubes, twistable figures and handy, modular connections. Krepel has made boxes for two different versions: the entry-level model 'the box' and 'the master box' for advanced users.

Packaging for playful design

Plivio is a so-called playful design that challenges adults to rediscover their innate playfulness. The design is minimalistic and sleek but offers a host of options for making all kinds of constructions and connections. “The development of the 3D construction sets has taken several years. It was not easy to find the right suppliers who could offer the required quality within the correct tolerances. In addition, we were constantly optimising and improving the constructions and the required components,” says Hein Wille, founder of Plivio. By perfecting and listening to feedback from the market, they developed a smaller version alongside 'the master box', the entry-level model 'the box'.

The wooden box is part of a creative construction

Plivio is a product in which spatial insight, imagination and creativity come together. “We call it 'imagineering', one word that says it all,” explains Hein Wille. “We are also indirectly saying that the possibilities are endless, so we wanted to make it possible to involve the packaging in the constructions. In order to build solid and stylish constructions, the manufacturing of the packaging required precise craftsmanship from Krepel. The tolerances necessary to achieve the right clamping between clamping parts and the edge of 'the box' involved tenths of millimetres.”

Part of the development process

The small figures that are part of the 'imagineering' sets can also be clicked precisely onto the edge of 'the box'. For the smaller version, no partition walls were used, which further emphasises the simplicity of the design. “We find it important that the contents of the boxes always stay in place, which is why we now use tubes that can only fit into the box in one particular way. Having Krepel as part of the development process, was a real must. Thanks to the excellent collaboration, we were able to create a box where everything is right, down to the last detail. The figures and some parts click flawlessly onto the edge and the appearance of the box embodies what Plivio is all about. The boxes may seem minimalistic, but they are beautiful in their simplicity,” says Hein Wille. “Besides that, working together with Antoon was very pleasant. He contributed ideas and was very clear about what is possible and what is not. I had no previous experience with wooden boxes, so his support and advice was incredibly important to me in the development phase."

The Plivio imagineering sets will be available in such places as design shops, museum shops and the better bookshops.

https://www.plivio.construction

Worldwide shortage

The raw materials market has been in turmoil for some time now. Due to the global crisis as a result of Covid 19, sawmills have not been operating at full capacity and, therefore, wood has become increasingly scarce, mainly because so many DIYers have now finally found time to work on their houses. The world surely loves wood. The worldwide wood shortage affects private individuals as well as all sectors where wood is used. A good relationship with suppliers is therefore essential.

A good relationship with suppliers

Krepel is a family business that likes to invest in a good relationship with both customers and suppliers. This is something we have always done. It ensures that you can rely on each other. We like to go the extra mile for our customers, and our suppliers do the same for us. Despite the enormous shortage, we still get the wood we need for the production of our wooden packaging.

Challenges

We are making every effort to continue to guarantee the availability of wood. “We're lucky to have such a good relationship with our suppliers, so that we can still get the wood we need. As prices are currently going through the roof, we try to keep the costs as manageable as possible to maintain a reasonable selling price. For example, in consultation with our customers, we look for less expensive alternatives, whilst guaranteeing the quality of our products. We can still deliver, but the longer delivery times and rising purchase prices do create some challenges for us. We regret that our delivery times are now longer than usual,” says Bernhard Krepel, Managing Director of Krepel.

We keep in close contact with our clients and we will, of course, personally update you on developments relevant to your situation.

The perfect packaging for an exquisite dining experience

If there is one wooden packaging that says 2020, it’s the box for the Okura at Home concept! What started as a service product for loyal customers of the Amsterdam branch of the international hotel chain, is now a resounding success. It really turned out to be the next level in home food delivery.

“It was quite a step for us to start delivering our dinners to our guests’ homes. But it was a conscious decision to start doing so nonetheless. The Okura concept is all about quality, perfection and a sublime dining experience. If we were going to offer home delivery, we wanted to do it the Okura way,” according to Tim Maathuis, Assistant F&B Director at Hotel Okura Amsterdam.

Unique dinner box

When you place an order at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, you can expect a dinner that is unique in both taste and experience. The box is not delivered in a simple paper bag, but wrapped in an authentic Japanese muslin cloth. Maathuis: “The dishes are delivered in a custom-made wooden box. The idea is based on the Japanese bento box, and the dimensions of the box ensure that it displays the dishes in the best possible way.”

A great service product

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, loyal guests of Hotel Okura Amsterdam are no longer able to visit their favourite restaurant. “We wanted to offer our guests a fine dining experience at home. The Okura at Home box was developed as a service product. We wanted to take our guests along on a journey of discovery of the world of our chefs. Everything is prepared right down to the finest detail. By offering a clear concept and explanatory videos, everyone can serve up our famous dishes,” says Maathuis.

With the holidays coming up, Okura is meeting the need for fine dining at home with a small group of guests. To make it a really exquisite experience, guests can enjoy delicious restaurant food at home, combined with the atmospheric Okura play list. “We were not surprised to see the Okura at Home concept become such a tremendous success! The way in which Okura is bringing home delivery and at home dining to the next level is just amazing. Every detail is correct,” according to Antoon Pelgrim, Sales Manager at Krepel. “It is great to work with clients that share our love for unique packaging.”

Partnership

The great reviews and extensive social media exposure have boosted the sales of the Okura at Home box. “The decision to start home deliveries was triggered by the COVID-19 measures imposed, but it does not mean that this will be a temporary concept. We paid a lot of attention to perfecting the concept. All the details have been worked out, from the explanatory videos to the packaging. We expect home dining to remain popular in the future, especially with the luxury of a hotel dinner, and we want to meet that need with Okura at Home. We see the collaboration with Krepel, who provides the packaging, as a true partnership. Krepel has the same ideas about quality as Okura. They are very critical about the entire process, are flexible and understand how important packaging is. It is the only way to develop the perfect product together.”

An interview with the seventh and eighth generations

Jan Richard Krepel was the seventh generation to run the company, managing the family business from 1984. His son Bernhard took over in 2012. Krepel now celebrates its 150th anniversary, a good moment to look back with the two of them.

All previous generations of the Krepel family lived and worked on the Klarenbeek Estate. It seems only natural that the current generation would also live and work here.

JR: It wasn't the obvious thing to do. I've always told Bernhard to see a bit of the world first. And that's what he did. However, from a fairly young age, he already knew that he wanted to play a role in our family business.

B: Yes, that's right. I never felt I was expected to take over the company, but I grew up in it and I've always liked it. For example, we used to go to the Hanover Stock Exchange with the family, which I saw more as a family outing. We often stayed over the weekend as well. That's quite an adventure for a child. I also went frequently to the factory, and every now and then my father took me with him when he went to see a customer. At primary school I already knew that I wanted to work in the family business someday. The commercial aspect attracted me most.

JR: I, on the other hand, spent most of my time at the factory. I remember it all quite well. Having finished secondary school, I was drafted for military service. When I came out of military service on 31 December, I almost immediately joined the family business on 2 January. I didn't follow any training for that, but learned in practice. At the end of my first day working at the machine, my coat was full of wood splinters. The next day I was given my father's dust jacket to wear. I'm really a doer, so I was mainly to be found in the factory, although I did some calculation work from time to time.

B: You were more the technical man. I'm a doer, too, but I don’t like working at a machine. I spend a lot of time at the factory, but mainly to see how something is made, or to get ideas. We are constantly working on further improving processes and quality.

JR: In the olden days a lot of the work was still done by hand. Where, at the time, 25 operations were performed to complete the work, we now only need six. Now it's all done mechanically. Back in those days you could choose between a number of wood species and models. We knew the product that needed to be packed. We measured a few things and then made a model, which was subsequently sent to the customer. Sometimes three or four new versions of the model had to be made.

B: You can hardly imagine now how labour-intensive and time-consuming it all was. It still happens that you have to make several samples, but you can prevent many problems by using good drawings and good designs.

Entrepreneurship and the will to keep innovating and developing is in the Krepel family's DNA. That's also reflected in what each of you has been able to achieve.

JR: The world is constantly changing, so you go with the flow. You need to learn to adapt if you want to be able to keep answering your customers' questions.

B: You have over 50 years of experience, I've only been doing this job for 15 years. For you, the biggest step was to start a company in Poland for the production of wooden packaging. That was a very good step for the family business.

JR: The people in Poland were inventive, they still are. That was quite a difference with how things were going in the Netherlands at the time. Here, we made good cigar boxes, but there were few people who could meet more complex production demands. While in Poland they made the most beautiful things. That really surpassed our expectations!

B: You managed to start a business in a country where you knew nothing and nobody. You needed premises, suppliers and machines. You built everything from scratch. Considering that there is now a group of highly skilled craftsmen who only work on wooden boxes, I find that very admirable.

JR: Together with my wife I went to Poland at the time, it was by the end of October. I saw many small businesses, old and primitive. I thought the trip was going to be a total waste of time. But then we came to a small town where we stumbled on a kitchen factory which housed a number of small machines. The owner, who was a craftsman himself, wanted to get rid of the factory. So we took over his company and started with 10 people. Within two years, we had approximately 100 people working for us.

B: The big difference between my father and me? My father made and developed things, which were then sold. That's how it was done at the time. Now we look more at what's happening in the market and what the target group wants and what we can come up with next. So we really look from the perspective of the market. My father looked more at the materials and what could be made from them.

JR: Bernhard is very good at connecting with people, with customers. I used to maintain contact with one or two customers. Bernhard knows most of our customers, which is also important to keep customers on board. He does that very well.

Developments are evolving at a rapid pace, so there must be a lot happening in the family business.

B: Every year we come up with new things. New printing techniques, painting techniques, you name it. For example, we are now working on beautiful packaging in which we combine wood and cardboard. Recently, we have also tapped into new markets. In your time, dad, cigar boxes constituted 100% of our production, that's now about 25%. It was also our intention not to be dependent on a specific market, but we didn't expect it to take such a flight.

JR: And the quality level is very high. Even the simplest of boxes get a chic look. The great thing about a family business is that I'm able to keep up to speed with what goes on in it.

B: My dad has always been involved. Every other month, for example, there is a board meeting, at which he is also present. The company results and large-scale plans and investments are discussed at this meeting. My father has a wealth of experience, it's a great pleasure to discuss and exchange ideas with him.

JR: It's a family business, so you're always involved. Although I must say times have changed. However, if you see what's possible now…