In Heerenveen stands the largest housing factory in Europe: an innovative and fully automated facility owned by construction company Van Wijnen. Every day, complete homes are built here, with the help of cutting-edge robots, smart technology, and the skilled craftsmanship of dedicated professionals. Among them are father and son Eugen and Robert Cirjan, who share their story about Van Wijnen, safety, and working with De Gilde Groep.
Romanian-born Eugen and Robert both started working at Van Wijnen three years ago on the very same day. “I used to work in Apeldoorn, loading trucks”, says Robert. “My father worked in another factory. One day we thought: why not try to work for the same company? And now here we are, together”, he laughs.
For 28-year-old Robert, that means a lot. “We’re here without the rest of our family, but the fact that we’re together makes everything much easier. If something happens, you always have someone close to talk to and that makes a big difference. I wish everyone could have a family member nearby.”
High-Tech Factory, Human Craftsmanship
In Van Wijnen’s state-of-the-art factory, much of the heavy work is done by no fewer than seventy robots, operated by skilled ICT specialists and machine operators. Robert is one of those operators.
“No two days are the same. Every day brings new challenges”, he explains. “I make sure the handling and shutter robots (A01) run smoothly. If something goes wrong, I’m the one responsible. Sometimes that even means stopping the entire line until the issue is fixed. I can usually identify the cause right away, so I’m constantly active. The time just flies.”
Eugen works in the floor section (A04), where he assembles various components and elements. “Each line has its own specific task. By now, the work has become second nature to me. I know exactly what’s coming and how to handle it.”
Safety Above All Else
At both De Gilde Groep and Van Wijnen, safety is a top priority and the men notice it every day. “This is the safest place I’ve ever worked”, says Robert. “I remember once when I accidentally burned my hands while working on a machine. A Van Wijnen employee immediately came over and checked everything thoroughly, like it was a crime scene. He made sure I was okay and took the time to find out exactly what had happened. Then he implemented measures to make sure it couldn’t happen again.”
That made a strong impression. “The way he handled safety really stuck with me”, Robert says. “You start doing the same yourself. If we see something unsafe, we report it right away. Working safely has become part of who we are.”
Working with De Gilde Groep
What makes De Gilde Groep special, according to Robert and Eugen, is how they treat people. “It’s a huge difference compared to the employers we worked for before”, says Robert. “Housing, for example, is very important, where you live and the facilities you have there. The fact that De Gilde Groep takes good care of that really means a lot. Everyone has their own room and privacy. At my previous employer, I had to share a room. When you feel comfortable at home, you work better.”
Communication also plays a big role. “If I need something, like new work shoes, it’s simply taken care of. At previous companies, I often felt unheard. I can honestly say: this is by far the best staffing agency we’ve ever worked for.”
Robert and Eugen have found their place at Van Wijnen. “We’re constantly learning from the people around us”, says Robert. “We’re not the only ones doing this work, we’re a team, and we can all learn from each other. If someone does something better than I do, I don’t see that as competition. On the contrary, that’s good for the company.”