“I started thinking about water waste. How can we reduce water? Why do we wash our textiles? How can we cherish our resources? Since then, we are evaluating new knitted textiles which can be produced with less water. I am especially proud of being involved in discussions like these, where we can mix innovation with our sustainability focus and achieve good results.”

Q: How did you start working for Kvadrat Febrik?

I have been with the company since the very beginning, ever since the birth of our first upholstery textile. Back then, in 2001, I started as an intern at Innofa, the production mill, where I was an intern in Sales.

However, I was always fascinated by the Design department and was eager to learn anything about knitting techniques, drawings etc.  Later, Jos Pelders and Renee Merckx joined Innofa. Around 2007 we started exploring the idea of a collection of knitted upholstery textiles, which eventually became the brand Febrik in 2014, and 4 years later, evolved to Kvadrat Febrik. It was such a journey where we grew business positively by being unique, aiming for the best and supporting our customers.

Q: Looking back at your career, how do you feel about Kvadrat Febrik as it is today?

I remember in the beginning, our Creative Director, Renee Merckx and I would discuss different colour names since it was just the two of us. Eventually the company grew and when I look at where we are now, it seems unreal. I was 21 years old when I started working at the production mill and I’d come to work on my bike every day. In my time here, I grew up, had children, and bought a bigger bike. But there is not a single day where I have felt that ‘I don’t want to go to work today’. 

I think the reason is that despite the challenges, working here has offered me many possibilities. I love digging into new subjects, doing research on topics like sustainability and knitting techniques.

We are a small team, within a bigger organisation today. We get the support from them and have the freedom to move around doing what we are good at: developing knit.  So, I'm happy with where we are today.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing?

We get a lot of input lately on Sustainability. We have stated goals with our Sustainability Manager a while ago, and ever since then, I have been trying to use that focus to build knowledge.  I have a very good relationship with our suppliers, who are right next door. And instead of thinking about new materials, new yarns, recycled materials, I just had a look in the factory and its processes.

I started thinking about water waste. How can we reduce water? Why do we wash our textiles? How can we cherish our resources? Since then, we are evaluating new knitted textiles which can be produced with less water. I am especially proud of being involved in discussions like these, where we can mix innovation with our sustainability focus and achieve good results.

Q: What do you love about your job?

I love having contact with our suppliers and following our supply chain. I enjoy the diversity in my job as a Product Manager for Febrik. It is a daily journey in the supply chain and product life cycle. I enjoy the contact with different departments and people. As a team, we share a lot with each other, and we cherish and celebrate small successes. That makes the job even more special.