Retirement with a comma, not a period
Thursday, March 26, was a special day at Packit. It was the retirement party for Rik and Peter. The decorations were up, the cake was cut, and memories were shared… An official farewell, but certainly not a final one, as both gentlemen will continue to work with us.
Surprisingly challenging
Peter came ‘on board’ in 2009. He says with a laugh: “I came from an IT background and, to be honest, I thought it was quite a strange transition: from the complex digital world of IT to something as simple as a plastic bag. But appearances can be deceiving. Behind that seemingly simple bag lies a world of technical precision, material expertise, and logistical excellence.”
At Packit, Peter found the challenge he was looking for. He worked across almost every facet of our company, from purchasing and sales to inventory management, before starting as a Quality Controller in 2018. It was a role that suited him perfectly, as he knows our company, processes, and products inside out. He knows exactly how choices made in the earlier stages affect the final result.
“Behind that seemingly simple bag lies a world of technical precision, material expertise, and logistical excellence.”
The mover
Rik joined us in 2014. He still remembers the job interview. “There was an immediate connection, and as I walked out the door, Leen called out that I could expect the contract in my mailbox by the end of the week. I was hired on the spot! The idea was that I wouldn’t start until after the move to Zwijndrecht, but I suggested helping out. It seemed like a good way to get to know the company. For months, I drove back and forth in a van to move everything. Together with Peter, I dismantled the warehouse and rebuilt it.”
And it didn’t stop with that one move. Rik also organized the move to Oud-Beijerland in 2019, and in the coming months, he will oversee the move to our new premises in Puttershoek.
Experience that sticks
Rik laughs: “Well, I’m retired, but I’m still staying involved with the company.” The same applies to Peter. Both gentlemen will continue to work on a zero-hours contract basis. “We feel connected to the business,” Peter explains. “We want to pass our knowledge on to younger colleagues. I’m not saying we have all the wisdom in the world, but we do have a lot of knowledge and experience. We think it’s important that this is secured for the benefit of Packit. Besides, it’s just a very warm company. I enjoy coming here, even if I have to drive 160 kilometers there and 160 kilometers back.”
A pleasant workplace
The gentlemen describe a culture of hard work without losing the human touch. Rik: “A lot is expected of you, but you get honesty and appreciation in return. No hierarchical nonsense, just saying it like it is across all levels of the company. But also showing genuine attention, listening, and being there for each other when things are a bit tough. One moment we’re having a serious conversation, and the next we’re dancing in a paper recycling container to stomp down the cardboard.”
“You know where you stand with each other,” Peter adds. “You hear about it when things go wrong, but you also hear about it when things go well. Directness creates clarity and ensures efficiency. That is characteristic of Packit. At the same time, there is certainly room for jokes and fun, and many great events are organized for the staff. From a card when you move house to a weekend away. We want for nothing here, and we genuinely enjoy each other’s company.”
Growing together
Rik: “If the internal atmosphere is good, the outside world notices it too. The relationship with our customers and suppliers is strong. Very collegial, actually. For instance, I was regularly on the phone with Action.” Rik remembers the beginning of that partnership. “We started with one truck per week, and now there are about 100 per week. You don’t just grow as a company; you grow together as people. This creates a bond.”
Changing times
When asked what has changed the most in recent years, the gentlemen answer unanimously: “The profession has become much more complex.” Rik: “In the past, you basically blew into a bag to check if the quality was good. Nowadays, an entire lab is involved. Also, a lot of attention is now paid to the packaging.”
Peter: “On the other hand, there is the gain from automation. We used to have a separate Excel file for every product, about 700 in total. If there was a change, for example in laws and regulations, all 700 files had to be updated. Eventually, I merged these into one file, allowing me to implement a change for all products with a single click.”
Peter’s invention is a sort of precursor to the modern PIM system. We are busy with the implementation behind the scenes, and Peter assists where necessary.
“We are happy and grateful that these gentlemen remain connected to our organization even after their retirement. They ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and expertise to the new generation of Packit colleagues and provide the necessary office humor.”
