Anniversary series

For many years now, they’ve been a powerhouse duo made in fragrant heaven: Vetipak and Rituals, a Dutch producer of luxury home and body cosmetics. We asked Marcel van Groningen, Chief Sourcing & Supply at Rituals, about the relationship between the two companies.

There’s no shortage of competitors in the markets in which we operate. In the confectionery industry (chocolate and candy), our biggest ‘rival’ is fellow Dutch contract packaging company Nomi. We spoke with André van Peer, managing director of Etten-Leur-based family business Nomi.

2 January 2019 Nathalie Joosten reports to the counter at Vetipak, about to begin her first day of work. The only problem is, the colleague who was going to show her the ropes is on vacation.

“What do I remember about that long day way back in 2010? I remember being tired – tired and disappointed.” Briton John Toomey, the co-founder of Yu! Fruit Snacks, can laugh about it today. “We wouldn’t have a business if it weren’t for Vetipak.”

Desiree van Daalen about her experiences with the company.

Ben Kleisterlee (Mars) talks about the Vetipak factory in Veghel.

“Where on earth have I ended up?” A bemused Rob van der Wijst takes a look around the production facility, a compact space where three machines are installed. Or, more precisely, two and a half machines, as the flow packer he’s been hired to operate is not working properly, and there are parts of the machine lying around everywhere.

Without Koos den Otter and Wim van de Westelaken, our company would probably look very different. Or perhaps no longer even exist...

“Without a doubt, we were real pioneers back then", Arno laughs, reminiscing on the company's first few months.