With summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on the past few months. For many, the summer holiday is not only a time for relaxation but also a moment of reflection. The same goes for me. The first half of 2025 has been marked by dynamism, challenges, and exciting developments.
Global and National Uncertainty
The global economic and political landscape remains turbulent. New threats—such as potential trade tariffs from the United States—cast a shadow over the near future. While the direct impact on the Dutch economy seems limited for now, our industry, and therefore our business, is already feeling the effects. Trade, energy supply, and investment are vulnerable in a world of growing geopolitical tension.
On the national level, uncertainty persists. The fall of the Dutch government earlier this year is delaying critical policy areas like housing, infrastructure, and energy and climate policy. These are precisely the topics that matter most to the companies we work with every day. The delay in decision-making affects the entire chain.
A Challenging Outlook for the Staffing Market
Looking at the staffing market, we see a striking development. Despite the tight labor market and historically low unemployment, many staffing agencies are experiencing a decline in hours worked and revenue. Employers are increasingly opting for permanent hires rather than temporary staffing. It’s an understandable shift, but one that demands flexibility and a strong focus on added value.
De Gilde Groep Continues to Grow
Fortunately, this trend does not apply to De Gilde Groep. While others shrink, we continue to grow! After a significant step forward in 2024, we’ve carried that momentum into 2025 with confidence. This is no coincidence, but the result of a clear strategy, hard work, and above all satisfied clients, skilled workers, and colleagues.
Recent research shows that our customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and skilled worker satisfaction have all increased once again. All scores are well above 8 out of 10, and our skilled workers even rate us a 9! We are incredibly proud of this. It confirms that our personal, professional, and high-quality approach truly makes a difference.
A key pillar of our growth is our continued investment in safety and quality. We firmly believe things can and must always be improved. That’s why we’re proud to have once again earned our ISO 9001 certification and achieved Level 3 on the Safety Culture Ladder Original version, with flying colors.
Full Steam Ahead After the Summer
Although many construction projects temporarily pause during the summer break, we are already working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the second half of the year. The assignments and projects scheduled to start after summer bring great opportunities and positive outlooks. We see plenty of room to grow further, forge new partnerships, and enhance our services. We’re looking forward to it with confidence and enthusiasm!
For now, I wish everyone heading off on holiday a wonderful and relaxing summer. Enjoy the peace and quiet, recharge, and return healthy and full of energy, because after the summer, we’re going full steam ahead together!
Enjoy your summer!
