Van Delft Biscuits about Normec Label & Specifications
Van Delft Biscuits has relied on Normec Label & Specifications for many years
The Van Delft Biscuits factory runs at full speed during the busiest months. Seasonal products – from gingerbread cookies in all flavours to sprinkles, snacks and biscuits such as Van Delft Café Noir cookies – require speed, precision and continuous switching between optimisations in recipes, labels and regulations. It is precisely during this peak period that Van Delft has been calling on Normec Label & Specifications for extra support for many years.
Judith ter Weele has been working at Van Delft as a specification manager since 2021. Together with a colleague, she assesses raw material specifications, draws up specifications and manages customer systems. During the peak season, extra capacity is indispensable. "The pressure on our department quickly builds up during peak periods,’ says Judith. ‘It's great that we can fall back on someone who is immediately available and has the right knowledge."
Seasonal pressure calls for flexible deployment
Van Delft produces a wide range of products for both its own brand and private labels, intended for Dutch and foreign retailers. That means many flavours, many different customer requirements and many deadlines. The volume of work increases significantly, especially in the months after January.
"It is sometimes difficult to estimate exactly when that peak will occur," says Judith. "So it's ideal that we can scale up at short notice with the help of Normec Label & Specifications. This time, a colleague was available within two weeks. That quick response really makes a difference to us."
About Van Delft Biscuits
Van Delft Biscuits is a Dutch manufacturer of seasonal products and snacks. It is known for its kruidnoten (spiced cookies) in all shapes and flavours, but also for its taai-taai (gingerbread), fruit biscuits, café noirs, likkoekjes (glacé biscuits) and various types of chocolate biscuits. The products are sold under its own brand and via private label to large retailers in the Netherlands and abroad.
Complex work, cleverly distributed
The collaboration is focused on efficiency. Judith and her regular colleague do the groundwork themselves, such as assessing product requests and answering questions that require business knowledge. Normec's labelling specialist processes the data in the systems and actively contributes ideas.
"It helps enormously that the specialist works in-house in our department," Judith continues. "We consult easily, coordinate quickly and switch gears immediately if there are any questions. That increases both speed and quality."
Short lines of communication, broad expertise
Normec's added value lies not only in the extra hands, but above all in its substantive knowledge. "We regularly have to deal with new legislation or questions about allergen management," explains Judith. "It's great that we can bounce ideas off Normec. They know what they're talking about and really think along with us."
More than just specifications
In addition to Label & Specifications, Van Delft also uses other services within Normec Foodcare. For example, marketability reports have been requested via Normec Foodlab, employees have been trained via Normec Training & Education and taste panels are used via Normec Sensory. "It's great that we can get everything from one partner," says Judith. "That makes working together clear and efficient."
Lianne PostLabelling Specialist at Normec Foodcare
The power of collaboration
Working at Van Delft means switching gears in a dynamic environment with many different products and changing recipes. That is precisely what makes it fun and challenging. At the same time, the working atmosphere is very pleasant: the lines of communication are short, there is mutual trust and you really feel part of the team.
Trusted extension of the team
The collaboration with Normec has become a fixed part of the annual planning. "We usually plan a few months of support and then see how things go. The collaboration is working well, and as long as we continue to experience peaks that we cannot handle ourselves, we will continue to call on their assistance. Normec has really become an extension of our team."
Looking for extra capacity or specialist knowledge?
Many food manufacturers experience peak periods, just like Van Delft Biscuits. In such cases, it is good to be able to fall back on a partner who can be deployed quickly and thinks along with you. Normec Label & Specifications offers temporary support with experienced specialists who strengthen your team in the areas of specification management, labelling and legislation.
Would you like to know what we can do for your organisation? Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
More about Normec Label & Specifications
Normec Label & Specifications
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