The added value of packaging is still sometimes underrated. Our Packaging Engineer Judith van Voorthuizen considers that as a compliment. For a year now, she has been working full-time on packaging and packing all products. “People only think about the value once something is not packed conveniently or becomes damaged. As long as that is not the case, you don’t hear them and there is most likely barely any awareness about how important good packaging is.”
In a company that has an every day commitment to accelerate the energy transition and therefore contribute to a sustainable world, a good policy on packaging is a must. Yet Judith is the first person in this position. “Which is not to suggest, by the way, that it was not considered important before my time. Only during that time it was a task that was taken up by many which of course was not very efficient. With the tightening of laws and regulations on environmental standards and sustainability requirements, the urgency to put this in the hands of one person became greater. And I am very happy to be that person.”
As Packaging Engineer, Judith is genuinely at the heart of the organisation as she is involved in pretty much everything. “This makes my work extremely diverse and sometimes chaotic. If a new product is being developed or if adjustments are being made to an existing product, I advise on the correct dimensions of a hook, for instance, because that can make a huge difference in the stacking of boxes. The draft version also always passes me for transport testing and sometimes I even ask the customer for validation. The experience throughout the entire chain has to be fine.”
That chain has become a lot more complex in recent years with Esdec’s international growth. “You have to imagine that such a product stock takes quite a journey before the installer is actually on the roof with it, especially if it also has to be transported overseas. The logistical requirements are different for each vehicle so I have to work out in detail how to fill the pallets. This depends on factors such as carrying direction, lifting capacity and at all, the presence of suitable forklifts on site that can handle the weight.”
The transition from a Dutch SME into a major global player almost automatically brings with it the urgency of further internal professionalisation. “That means we are constantly working on how to stay ahead. The great thing is that I experience that colleagues really need each other to make processes smarter. I would very much like to respond even more to the customer experience, for instance by adding a QR code that refers to original content. Then I simply cannot ignore the expertise of the marketing colleagues.”
Logically, the packaging functions mainly to protect the product, but we also think about the ease of use. Building value for solar professionals, in all aspects. “Think for example of the numbers in a box. If an installer always needs a quadruple of something, we deliver it like this. These are small things that are hardly noticeable. But comments are guaranteed if installers have to lug unnecessary products onto the roof. So from Packaging, we are just as keen to make the solar professional’s job as easy as possible.”
With Judith as the person ultimately responsible for Packaging, there is even more room to take steps in sustainability. “Because I am the central link among a lot of different departments, I have a pretty clear picture of where we can and should take those steps. You have to dare to be as smart as creative; that approach often provides the best solution. And then it is also a nice challenge to convince all stakeholders that change and improvement are needed. The oft-repeated excuse that there is no time for it does not apply these days.”
