A behind-the-scenes look at…HR Department
The name Marcelissen is synonymous with food processing machines. Across five continents, we continually improve our clients' processes. But behind every machine is a lot of work, carried out by Team Marcelissen. It is essential that everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best in their role.
The human engine behind the machines
At Marcelissen, HR plays a crucial role in creating a close-knit and dynamic work environment. Despite the small size of the company, with around 25 employees, human values and the personal development of staff are the key pillars. In this post, we explain why the employees are so critical to Marcelissen’s success.
Human Resources, or HR, is oversees everything related to employee well-being, including training, recruitment, and team-building activities.
“I co-lead the company,” says Jos Derijk, Managing Director. “As such, I am ultimately responsible for many areas within Marcelissen, including HR. Machine building is, of course, a highly technical and commercial field, but one of the enjoyable aspects of my job is working together with my colleagues to achieve the best results, while ensuring that everyone feels good within the team.”
Each day brings new challenges, but the biggest one is often time. There is always so much to do, and sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough time.
Collaboration and ambition
Marcelissen is an international company, but it feels like a small family business. The atmosphere is informal, and there’s close collaboration across all departments. From an HR perspective, you work with everyone, says Jos. It’s a real team effort. This is the essence of Marcelissen’s success: employees know each other well, fostering a strong sense of community. As a result, there’s understanding and good collaboration between people and departments. It’s also a young company, if you look at the average age.
A key figure in setting up our HR policy is Eveline Boots. With passion and enthusiasm, she established our HR department and charted the course. However, her desire to work in a larger HR team led her to leave Marcelissen, and we are grateful for the strong foundation she laid, allowing us to continue growing in the coming years.
Reflecting on her time at Marcelissen, Eveline expressed her passion and pride in her work.: “I am proud of how much we do for the staff and how we really focus on the human side of our employees. It gives me great satisfaction to see how everyone develops and grows within the company.”
Challenges and care for the future
As Marcelissen builds on the foundation Eveline established, the HR team faces ongoing challenges in a competitive labor market. One of the biggest long-term challenges is finding skilled workers in a tight labor market. As a result, Marcelissen seeks qualified personnel beyond its borders. The language barrier can sometimes present an additional challenge, as it’s important for new employees to integrate well into the team.
The focus remains on the personal development of employees. Acquiring, sharing, and retaining knowledge is essential for the manufacturing industry and Marcelissen in particular. The company offers a wide range of courses and training, and a lot is invested in internal training by experienced employees. This ensures that everyone can continue to develop and contribute to the success of the company and its relationships.
What truly sets Marcelissen apart is the care and attention devoted to each employee. The company organizes something fun for every holiday and has regular Friday afternoon drinks. "Every month, the whole team gathers to share company news, celebrate birthdays, and welcome new colleagues. This strengthens the bond between employees and creates a tight-knit community,” says Sjors Vullings, Sales & Marketing Manager.
Marcelissen continues to focus on the development of its employees and creating a positive and supportive work environment. Jos sees a bright future for the company’s HR policy: "We are always looking for ways to empower our employees and support them in their personal and professional growth."
In short, at Marcelissen, HR is not just an administrative task; it is the human engine behind the company’s success. This approach fosters a sense of value and support among employees, fueling Marcelissen’s growth and success.
"A behind-the-scenes look at..." is a short series of blogs in which we spotlight a specific department and let one or more employees share insights about their work.