Gispen is staying in Culemborg

The relocation of the Gispen production facilities and logistics to Sint-Oedenrode, announced last week by parent company Royal Ahrend, raised questions among various people and some media. Is Gispen going to leave Culemborg in its entirety? "Nothing could be further from the truth," says Gispen's commercial director Maurits van Berckel. 'Our showroom will remain in Culemborg. Just like commerce, service and customer support.'

Maurits van Berckel would like to avoid any confusion: 'Only the production and logistics will move to Sint-Oedenrode. From Culemborg, we will continue to expand our position as a design partner and circular leader in the market in the coming years.'

Production and logistics will move to the location in Sint-Oedenrode before the end of 2021, where more space is available. In addition, the parent company Royal Ahrend is investing in an optimal design and further sustainability of the production facilities for the entire organisation at this location.

On track

Maurits van Berckel: 'Despite the pressure on the current order volume due to the corona pandemic, we are commercially well on track as a circular furnishing partner and healthcare and education specialist. It gives us confidence for the future that it is precisely in these times that the two largest employers in the Netherlands, including the Ministry of Defence, have chosen Gispen. As well as the Radboud UMC and various municipalities. We are of course very proud of that!'

Gispen is currently holding its own in the education, healthcare and government sectors. Maurits van Berckel: 'In the business market, we were fortunately able to partly compensate for the impact of COVID-19 on our business operations with orders for home workplaces. We are currently very busy with the delivery of the largest order ever, more than 8,000 home workplaces for one of our clients.'

Maintain efficiency and flexibility

The relocation of production in Culemborg to Sint-Oedenrode is part of a multi-year plan in which the efficiency and sustainability of the organization and greater flexibility of production are an essential part. Maurits van Berckel: 'Unfortunately, with the commercial developments, we have not been able to prevent ourselves from being hit hard by corona. It is precisely for this reason that our parent company has decided to bring forward the change that was already strategically on the agenda. This allows us as Gispen to meet our customers' commercial requirements for office furniture and furnishing solutions even better.'

Do you have any questions regarding this news item? Then you can contact: communicatie@gispen.nl