Holbox moves from Echt to sustainable new premises in Roermond

Jan Hol is taking it easy these days. The man who founded and expanded Holbox into a leading company with 350 employees and a selection of major European customers, is confidently leaving the daily management to son Martijn. "I'm past 75," he sounds somewhat apologetic. "I no longer get involved in operational matters.

Although, of course, I remain more than involved. You can never completely let go of a family business. That also applies to my wife who works in the business to this day and is still regularly present. Besides Martijn, our daughter Chantal is also on the board of directors. Together we consult, make decisions and set the course. Holbox is also involved in a lot of social activities and fundraising for cancer and Alzheimer's research. I don't want to miss that network."

Father Jan and son Martijn both join us for the interview this Tuesday in August at the headquarters along the A2 in Echt. The occasion is the announced move to Roermond in early 2024, a strategic move that both senior and junior see as a prerequisite for further expansion. A major step in the history of Holbox. A 25 million euro investment in the premises plus another five million for the move itself. "But absolutely necessary," says Martijn. "We have grown out of our depth here in Echt. Every inch of space is used and still we have too little room for the machines and supplies. We would like to grow, but there is no more room for that. Moreover, this branch actually consists of four separate buildings. Not convenient in terms of logistics and efficiency. Another reason to move is the planned food market opposite. Traffic congestion will increase, getting in and out will be more difficult."

Obvious business reasons, but the most important motive Jan wants to name for himself. "We have always paid a lot of attention to sustainability. Even a few years ago, the decision was made to build a completely new building. Optimally insulated, preferably off the gas and with its own energy supply in the form of solar panels. We must move towards sustainability, towards green energy sources
for our machines and vehicle fleet. As a company we want to be a leader in this. The sky-high gas and electricity prices are now pushing us all the way to the edge. I will be very happy when we see the energy bill drop to zero in a year and a half."

Jan and Martijn Hol had long intended to have the 27,000-square-meter facility built across the A2 highway from Michel Oprey. That plan fell through on the financial terms of the project developer and the fact that the municipality of Echt no longer had the capacity to connect solar panels to the power grid. "In terms of logistics, that would have been the best spot," Jan believes, "but now we have a great location on Roerstreek right next to the former Henzo as well. The permit was finalized in August. The connection to the A73 is good and so is the accessibility to many European customers. And I have something with Roermond of course. That's where we built up Holbox before coming to Echt in 2000. So back to the roots, that feels good."

Jan Hol started in 1976 with a one-man company in the sale of cardboard boxes, later he focused on the design and production of cardboard displays. A niche at the time, but the foresight proved correct. Now the company has two production sites, in Echt and Poland, offices in Paris and Hamburg, and can call itself European market leader. Regular customers include leading companies such as L'Oréal, Mondelēz, Playmobil, Haribo, Lego, Coca-Cola and dozens more top brands.

"Displays are essential for manufacturers to showcase their products," Martijn says during a brief tour of the company. "They are the carriers of market launches in supermarkets and department stores. Everything starts with a display, then the stuff goes onto the shelves. We design the displays in all shapes and sizes and produce them in cardboard. For on the floor, the counter, pallets, as packaging, for events. Custom made, from a few to thousands of pieces. We do everything ourselves, including making the molds used to die-cut the cartons, printing the graphics, gluing and even building them up in the stores. We don't depend on anyone except the raw material suppliers."

Of course Holbox has European competition, but Jan Hol always managed to stay ahead of it. "You have to keep innovating, see opportunities," he explains. "For a long time we made the displays for videotapes of a subsidiary of Walt Disney. That market has long since dried up, but we are now very strong in cosmetics and food. Important is speed of delivery, quality, price and reliability. To serve more customers faster, we opened a branch in Poland in 2008. There are exactly the same machines there as here in Echt. Last year we made that facility more sustainable by installing solar panels, among other things. Now it's Limburg's turn."

For Jan Hol the new building is the crowning glory of more than 45 years of business. "Sustainable entrepreneurship," he nuances. "I have always found that important. We already work with water-based inks and glues. All the cardboard is made from recycled paper with the FSC seal of approval, and now we are also using more and more vegetable-based raw materials. Our vehicle fleet will be largely electric and hydrogen-powered after the move; employees can recharge their batteries sustainably at the company. And we have always accommodated people with a distance to the labor market. On average, 20 people from PSW Roermond work here. Incidentally, we do the same in Poland. Offering people a chance is also sustainable business."

During the tour, it becomes clear that the move will be a gigantic and expensive job. "Especially moving the printing presses is time-consuming and costly," knows Martijn, also working in the family business for 30 years. "Staying fully up and running will be the big challenge. We do have a backup in Poland, but it is insufficient to cover everything. So that means new printing presses. A responsible investment, because in the coming years we want to continue to grow. For that we need more capacity, which we are finally getting. We are aiming for at least 30 percent growth in five years. Ambitious? Definitely! But the markets are there." Holbox is almost ready to storm them. With senior guaranteed in an involved role. "I'm looking forward to 2024," it sounds meaningfully.

Source: Ondernemen in Limburg