As is the case in the food sector as a whole, the VanDrie Group works a lot with employees from various European countries. René Doeleman, Ekro Operations Manager, explains: “When you have a diverse workforce and employees who return from holiday from (potential) risk areas, you have to be able to adapt quickly. Prior even to arrival at work, we want to be 100% sure that our employees are not infected and that we can guarantee the health and quality of our colleagues as well as the working environment.”

Prevention
“We are doing all we can to prevent infections,” says Marijke Everts, Director Corporate Affairs of the VanDrie Group. "We want to be a good employer for our employees and a reliable partner for our customers." Corona inspectors have been appointed at T. Boer & zn, ESA, Ekro and Ameco who monitor the correct compliance with measures, making adjustments where necessary. The 1.5 metre measure applies everywhere, canteen shifts have been adjusted, contact areas are continuously cleaned, special walking lines have been set out and special screens have been installed at critical points in the process and on the premises. Upon entering the premises, everyone's temperature, including that of visitors and suppliers, is measured remotely. 

As a market leader, we want to lead the way. Not only with regard to the quality we offer, but also in how we treat our people - René Doeleman

René Doeleman underscores this commitment: “The VanDrie Group management has given the meat processing companies carte blanche to do what is necessary. As a market leader, we want to lead the way. Not only with regard to the quality we offer, but also in how we treat our people They ensure on a daily basis that we are able to deliver our quality products on time. A healthy working environment and an enthusiastic group of people, whether they are hired staff or permanent staff, is what matters most to us.” 

In order to provide a safe working environment and continuity for employees and customers, the VanDrie Group engaged Eurofins, among others, to carry out swab tests (whereby a cotton swab is inserted into the nose and throat) to test employees from risk areas for Covid-19.

“We want to minimise, or ideally exclude, the risk of infections within our companies,” says René Doeleman. The VanDrie Group opted for Eurofins' SAFER @ WORK programme because of its reliability, logistics and speed: the test locations are in all cases located close to the companies. After testing, the result follows as soon as possible through one of the Eurofins laboratories. “We only deploy staff at our subsidiaries in the event of a negative result, i.e. no corona. The swab tests make an important contribution to our safety and hygiene policy”, says René Doeleman,

Customisation
Every sector is different and the food industry in particular requires specific knowledge with regard to the appropriate approach. Dennis Wetjens, General Director Eurofins Food, Feed, Water Benelux: “Customisation, such we offer the VanDrie Group, is therefore essential. Working with animals, food, shifts and tight schedules requires speed and flexibility. With our test lines and laboratories at various locations throughout the country, we are able to act and inform quickly and efficiently. We want to at all times prevent the day-to-day operations of our clients from being compromised".

Companies participating in the SAFER@WORK programme receive a quality mark. Eurofins is a collaborative partner of the RIVM ( National Insititute for Public Health and the Environment) and the GGD GHOR.