Gispen Blog || Maarten Houdijk: We want to offer the best product, but also the best solution. '

Gispen healthcare project interior view of Rijnstate in Elst 15A1827

Maarten Houdijk, Gispen Sales Manager Healthcare and Education

Taking the burden off healthcare

'We want to offer not only the best product, but also the best solution. That’s why we share the knowledge we gain from projects with each other in our core teams for education and healthcare. Understanding clients’ workflows and processes is also crucial, which is why our colleagues spend time on-site at client locations. In a hospital, for example, we ask doctors, assistants, and nurses what could be improved, and we take into account the environment and the specific treatment of patients. For instance, should waiting rooms be quieter and more comfortable? If so, we pay attention to acoustics, color, materials, and the privacy of seating areas. Furniture in hospitals must also be easy to clean, because infection prevention is important.’

Colour portrait of Martijn Houdijk BL6686

Gispen healthcare project interior view of Radboud UMC in Nijmegen 15A7545

Sustainability in healthcare

'Becoming more sustainable can be challenging for hospitals, due to the complexity, critical nature of healthcare activities or possible financial challenges. For example, we are taking big steps with the client the Radboudumc hospital. They employ a design manager and we have a common goal for projects: to reuse as much furniture as possible 1-on-1. We use the Circular Quality Scan for this. In 2023, we added additional sustainable KPIs to the contract, so that we can monitor the results even better.'

Changing role account managers

'In our work, the emphasis is shifting further from sales to sustainable advice. Sustainable projects require more logistics and coordination, knowledge of sustainable objectives and we must also be able to explain and substantiate the CO₂ savings that we calculate. Account managers also work more often in teams with specialists and offer clients circular advice. These changes require new knowledge and skills, which we develop in training and our core teams. Challenging, but Gispenaren are intrinsically motivated to do things more sustainably every day. That has become our lifestyle.'

Gispen healthcare project interior view of Radboud UMC in Nijmegen 15A8763A

Colour portrait of Martijn Houdijk BL6673

Circulaire hub events

'Our task for the future: to convince even more clients of CO₂ savings, so that we can make substantiated sustainable choices. For example, a few times a year, our team gives presentations and tours in the Circular Hub. We explain to clients what our approach can mean for their business operations in terms of CO₂ savings. How we can unburden them, how complex a project can be and how well organized we are. Clients are often surprised when they see how neatly the Circular Hub is set up. Each type of furniture and part has its own place.'

VISIT THE CIRCULAR EXPERTISE CENTRE

We are happy to receive relations in the Circular Hub. During an interactive session, visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at circular design in practice, including explanations of sustainable client case studies and concrete examples of revitalization. And, of course, a guided tour of the Circular Hub. Our circular consultants provide on-site advice on revitalizing your own furniture and reducing CO2 emissions.