'Your staff is your company's most beautiful and precious jewel'

Late last year we posted an article about the company's 40th anniversary. We were curious about the progress of the new building and also curious about how HEBO is experienced by the craftsmen who work there. Reason enough for Kuipers to invite us to come and talk to the staff and immediately take a look around the new building. Armed with notepad and camera, we visited Hengevelde.

We are at the offices of the first HEBO building, where the business office, the production of wooden window frames and the showroom are located. "With our production in wooden window frames, we primarily serve small-scale residential construction," Kuipers opens the conversation. "Many detached houses are fitted with our window frames. We work a lot with the so-called 'catalog builders.' Our partners usually have their own showroom, but sometimes not all products to show. Other partners do not have a showroom and in both cases we offer our showroom. Customers who are sent to us by our partners are nicely received and shown around. We answer all their questions, serve a nice cup of coffee and let them experience the atmosphere and feel at home." 

Hengeveld hospitality

"If a customer comes from far away, we book for them a cozy hotel in our beautiful village. Then, after visiting the showroom, they can have a nice meal and unwind, and after a night of sound sleep, take a nice ride on their bikes, through our beautiful surroundings. We like to surround these people with the same attention and care with which we surround our products. That's a piece of hospitality that is incredibly appreciated by them."

A tour of HEBO through the eyes of its employees

Kuipers takes us into the company, showing in chronological order who all works on a window frame order, from the moment a customer stands in the showroom, to the loading of the finished product. He is visibly proud of his people and before we enter the showroom, he says, "Your staff is the most beautiful and precious jewel of your company, you should never forget that as an entrepreneur."      

We are then transferred into the hands of Björn Hegeman, salesman and showroom employee. "When private individuals come in, I am ready to help them and show them our entire range," Björn says. "I take them past all the window frames, roller shutters and screens. The showroom is set up so that we can make our products come to life. It's a real 'experience'." Björn has now been working at HEBO for 11 years and enjoys it. "The atmosphere is good, it's a real family business. We share joys and sorrows together, look out for each other. My work in the showroom is great, I love the contact with the customer. Soon, in the new building, I will be responsible for the preparation and execution of orders. Completing orders, working out details, working out choices on paper. I have my heart set on window frames."

We then arrive at the business office and meet Peter Jurjens. He is a work planner and has been with HEBO for 18 years. "Working for HEBO is working in a friendly atmosphere in a horizontally programmed organization," Peter tells us. "I order materials and make sure the window frames go over 'the machinals' in a good way, I make sure that what has been ordered can be made. Good control of details and drawing is a prerequisite for this. Because everything is computer-controlled, it is our job to ensure that all data enters the factory cleanly. The nice thing here is that no two days are the same. And customers with special wishes? We embrace those, no challenge is avoided."

In production

At "the machinal," we are welcomed by Ronny Ooink, the machinal man for the wood department. "I check the files and check the codes with the corresponding tools. With Peter (the work planner) I discuss, among other things, the drilling dates, fittings drills or new fittings and the deviations. Then we run tests and make the translation between the digital part and the shop floor. This is where cutting, drilling, milling and building (confinement) take place. We use proprietary programs for safe milling and drilling. Every day - at least 4 times a day - I check the dimensions, according to IKB guidelines. Despite digital control, we do the fine tuning of the machine manually. Everything you fine-tune with experience produces a better product. When we are finished, the frame goes to the paint shop." 

Sanding, dipping, spraying

Berend Voortman, 28 years in the employ of HEBO, gives a sneak peek into the paint shop, which he is in charge of. "This is where the window frames are sanded, dipped and sprayed. We pre-sand everything to get the best result. In between we set glazing bars and panels. With dipping, the first protective layer is applied. This is followed by the spraying machine, for the finishing coat, after which we spray twice manually. I monitor the whole process and make sure that all the parts belonging to the frame end up complete in the finishing assembly." With 28 years of service, things are looking up at HEBO. Berend: "Here you are seen and counted, you feel like family."

Fitting and glazing

With 14 years of HEBO "on the counter," Rob ter Huurne then tells us about his department, where he manages the people who take care of the final assembly and who set the glass. "The window frames come to us hanging on the track from the spray booth. Two men are constantly working to take the frames off the runway. We work with 'flow sheets' that have all the details on them. Everything is assembled by us, frames are assembled with doors and windows, and finally we assemble the glass. If necessary, we add rods. The best thing about this work is the variety, I divide tasks and jump in when necessary. In that respect, I really am a man of the shop floor and I know how things work in practice," says Rob.

Ready to go to the customer

At the shipping department, Arjan Pierik is waiting for us. He sees 45 frames a day pass by: "We pack the frames, in foil or zip-film (single-sided). Then we put the cavity laths on and the trays. These can be air vents or padding. We give the window frames lifting devices and our well-known advertising foil. Then we hoist the frames onto the transport rack. Should lead need to be applied at the cavity laths, we take care of that as well. By packing well, everything arrives just as neatly as it leaves us." Arjan has been working for HEBO for 6 years and enjoys the variety.

A trip to the new building

In conclusion, Norbert takes us to the new building (also the location where currently the plastic window frames are already being manufactured). There it is bustling with activity. The building towers imposingly into the height, once inside we can already see how beautiful it will be.

"It's almost finished," says Kuipers. During the tour, we recognize everything we've already been introduced to on the artist impressions...It's even more beautiful in real life. As we leave the building, Kuipers points to a work of art hanging in the stairwell: "We are proud of that. Made with our own frames and completely in style with the interior."