It took a while - some sixty years. But 10 and 11 June was the day, and everyone who wished to take a look inside Geha Laverman was invited. For two days, Geha Laverman Zaandam, with a total area of just over a FIFA football pitch, was transformed into a festive fairground.
The initiative to invite all customers to come and see for themselves 'live' came from the realisation that contact with customers is actually maintained through representatives. Customers rarely come for a 'coffee' at Geha Laverman in Zaandam or Alphen a/d Rijn.
Perhaps also using as an example the series 'How it's made' on the TV channel Discovery, where you can see how products are created and the technology behind them.
At Geha Laverman, you could not only see how it is made, but actually experience it - with all your senses.
Visitors to the Open Days often fell from one surprise to another. For example, the imposing stacks of often 10-centimetre-thick Hardox sheets on the outside area proved unexpectedly spectacular, even though it is little more than the raw material for the wide range of wear products Geha Laverman produces every day.
The high-tech machinery used to process Hardox on its way to the final product was fascinating for many to see in progress and usually greatly exceeded their wildest expectations in terms of proportions.
If you work with wearables then, in early June, Geha Laverman, was absolutely: The-place-to-be!
The run-up to the 'heavy metal' world was formed by a tent village after the entrance. A cosy market where most of Geha Laverman's international partners presented themselves with new products, firsts for the European market.
The terrace on the 'village square' offered invitees the opportunity to get ready for a true voyage of discovery around the factory site over a snack and a drink. Along the red carpet (!) marked route, there were views of, among other things, a demo of Prall-Tec's mobile crusher PRO - see elsewhere in this HARDCOPY - and a showcase by Magotteaux, two events in themselves. In between, a very surprising trial-bike acrobatics act rolled out. Needless to say, the sun certainly played no small part at the Open Days either.
Many visitors from Belgium, Germany and France had taken the trouble to come to Zaandam. This even gave the open days a touch of international allure.
All in all, the Open Days at Geha Laverman Zaandam were a success that can only grow in the coming years.
