Ruben Driessen
JTI

´Thinking in terms of project management instead of numbers of illuminated signs caught my attention immediately´

Ruben Driessen is Program Development Manager at JTI International Company Netherlands.
“We run a compact professional department, and had the marketing and communication management of more than 200 outlets; add to that an extra 100 in 2010; all in all over 300 brand shops. To maintain a professional advertising service unit for this number of outlets was a bit much. Hence time for reconsideration! ”

´I was convinced in an early stage that dedicated professional outsourcing was the solution´ You should always focus primarily on the things you do best i.e. your core business, and the execution of project, advertising and location management in our case is no part of that. Through recommendation by one of their colleague/competitive companies our attention was drawn to Van Beem & Van Haagen. Actually you could say there was an immediate click. The first meetings with Rob van Beem made immediately clear that they understood exactly where the emphasis lay. We were ready to make a next step in the quality level of the overall management of the sales outlets of our premium brand. But we also expect our partner to be innovative, proactive and customer driven in both mentality and execution.

´Complete outsourcing of activities and responsibilities is a matter of mutual trust and airtight agreements´ In fact you can only find this out by working together, and that’s exactly what we did. Starting with compiling a manual, a brand guide guaranteeing, in corroboration with the VB&VH expertise, to execute the complete management of our advertising items. In first instance this implied a survey of all locations, thus mapping the circumstances, project management and related activities of both existing and new locations; eventually submitted to a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This was the kick off, in cooperation with our back office and using the VB&VH on line management system (LOCNAV®), which we had customized together, according to our wishes. All information regarding the management activities are on line submitted to this system and are accessible 24/7.

´2 statements that spring to mind spontaneously are ‘A deal is a deal’ and ‘Curbing’´ It is so pleasant and encouraging to find out that with VB&VH ‘A deal is a deal’ is played by the rules. And should there appear to be a small hick up, it’s always reported ahead of time, including a possible solution. This (timely) feedback and follow up is so pleasant and is performed so consequently that we sometimes have to curb Rob’s enthusiasm. But of course this is meant in a positive way. After the survey, technical specs, drawings and the submitted tender we eventually set sail for the production and installation of both the interior and exterior advertising materials; which only confirmed the above.

´In 2010 we expect to have expanded up to 500 brand locations, of which the overall management of the advertising items will be outsourced completely to VB&VH´ We want to continuingly unfold our brand values, thus expecting a major extension of our sales locations. With the partnership with VB&VH, fulfilling the management of all advertising materials (including those supplied by third parties), we have every confidence in the future and are glad that such an important activity is in capable hands. This also applies to their problem solving and maintenance skills.

´About us´ JTI – Japan Tobacco International is the international tobacco business of Japan Tobacco Inc., the third leading tobacco product manufacturer in the world, with a global market share of 11% and a market capitalisation of approximately US$ 32 billion. We market a number of top tobacco brands in the world, and also in The Netherlands.

Tita de Vries
TNT

´Their contagious enthusiasm triggered me immediately´

Tita de Vries is project coordinator within the project team responsible for the realisation of the TNT Centre in Hoofddorp.
Next to all the specialists with regard to building, technique and facilities, we were particularly responsible for the concept, design and execution of the overall signing, wayfinding and the so called ‘graphical layer’ of all the central and public office spaces. Rob van Beem became a team member as of early 2010, which immediately ignited an additional spark of enthusiasm among us all.

´The final concept and design of the graphical layer proved to be a major achievement on its own´ In addition to the initial ideas of Studio Dumbar, Odette Ex (Ex Interiors) proposed the concept of ‘chalking the windows’ (as with re-decorating), using digitally printed semi transparent foil decorations and text. Quotes from a variety of ‘the truly great of the earth’, such as Ghandi, Armani, Cruijff, Martin Luther King, Mandela etc. were used for this purpose. Van Beem & Van Haagen, together with their team of specialists, have made the eventual translation into an application foil solution that could optimally ‘express’ the chalk effect.

´synch with the concept of a CO2 neutral building, and the matching materials, the overall internal wayfinding was a challenge on its own´ With the so called ‘signage book’ by Studio Dumbar as a starting point, VB&VH began with the translation of the initial design into technical and conceptual application of materials. White washed pine wood panels, milled and glued together with TNT orange acrylic trimming, turned into beautiful sustainable columns, strobe lit logo’s, signage and office indications.

´Clever practically applicable ideas by people with years of experience often prove to be the right solution´ Wooden columns with full size foil applications provide both an esthetical image and optimal flexibility for future changes in our flex-office. The same applies for VB&VH’s clever solution for the office indicators; simple wedge shaped mini signs (with orange trimming), applied with a simple exchangeable adhesive.

´A passionate drive and the willingness to put everything you’ve got into the project are, in my opinion, the key words to our successful cooperation with VB&VH´ Rob van Beem’s enthusiasm, thinking in solutions and of course the fantastic technical execution by VB&VH and their strategic partners, generated an end result of which our project team is immensely proud, and we will gladly show the end result to other interested parties.

Wout Ritzema
Nederlandse Spoorwegen

´Speed, flexibility and own initiative caught my immediate attention´

Wout Ritzema is Project Manager Routing, Signing & Branding for the Public Transport Chip Card and entrance gates of NS.
For our wayfinding and other signage, at present we work with 4 external parties. Van Beem & Van Haagen had earlier completed a smaller project to our full satisfaction, so they were also invited to submit a proposal and estimate.

´The transition from the regular transport ticket to the Public Transport Chip Card is of course a major operation´ Not only was the introduction of the OV-chipkaart (Public Transport Chip Card) a major job, but also the installation of the introduction material and the wayfinding signs to guide the travelers to the correct check in/check out posts and gates. This process was of course preceded by formulating the (very high) NS demands with regard to quality, look and feel and logistic execution. Also the strict demand of an extremely short lead and production time of the new chip card (introduction) signage. Obviously this was the perfect job for VB&VH.

´An extensive test stage and travelers questionnaires preceded the actual production stage´ To enable us to perform live tests and research, test materials had to be produced which had to be identical to the final product. At this stage VB&VH showed their real professional capabilities. They picked up the job with great energy and not only produced and installed the necessary materials in no time, but also showed creative participative thinking and own initiative. And that is a pleasant way of working .

´But after the test and research stage, of course the real production job follows´ Based upon the results of the best practice tests and travelers questionnaires we made our final choice in the 2nd week of September 2009 and the production assignment was submitted to VB&VH. However, the condition was that 280 railway stations had to be completely installed and mounted with the visual introduction signage of the new chip card by 1st October 2009. Eventually over 14.000 items, in magenta and NS yellow/blue colours, were produced and installed. The inspired VB&VH team have done a great job and have proven that speed, flexibility and reliability are definitely their strong points

´Being able to interpret the client wishes is a strong quality´ It is a pleasant way of working if an external party only need a few words to contemplate and combine this ability with frequent feed backs and own initiative. VB&VH have met our demands completely, and the next test project for a number of railway stations is already up and running

Peter Steinmetz
Aruba Airport

´Through thick and thin, Van Beem & Van Haagen kept the agreed delivery dates´

Peter Steinmetz is Managing Director Aruba Airport Authority N.V. As a part of the Schiphol Group, we of course have close contacts with Schiphol Amsterdam. Schiphol’s Hans Bouchier advised us to cooperate with Van Beem & Van Haagen with regard to our wayfinding project; especially because of their innovative approach, and project management and production experience.

´As an airport we of course operate in a different environment compared to Schiphol´ However, we wanted to preserve the Schiphol AAS INFOS concept, but still hang on to our own ‘Aruba look’. We also believed that a slightly more slender look fitted in with our size and interior. There was no need to make it too easy for them. The inspiring cooperation between Bureau Mijksenaar, Hans Bouchier, Van Beem & Van Haagen and myself eventually resulted in a single sided wayfinding sign of only 9.5 cm deep, and a double sided version of 13.5 cm. And still with a splendid light source radiation level and a 50.000 burning hours guarantee. Aside from that, we technically upgraded the Schiphol ‘hand indicators’, such as weight reduction and low cost maintenance. A fine technical achievement by Van Beem & Van Haagen.

´75% of our passengers are tourists from the U.S.A.´ The other 25% are majorly people from Middle and South America working on Aruba. Therefore all signs are in English and Spanish. This project covers 3 airport areas, i.e. Departure Hall, Arrival Hall and the Gates. In the mean time over 270 signs have been completely installed in all areas.

´For us the lead time planning was absolutely crucial, but also for Van Beem & Van Haagen´ Although we did not always meet the original planning in the preparation stage, there was never any doubt with VB&VH that they would meet the agreed delivery time. Because one issue was fixed; final delivery mid November 2007, with the official opening of the shopping area on the 21st November as the central highlight. For us a very important and festive moment, of course. All credits to VB&VH. VB&VH supervisors, directing local technicians, achieved a real ‘tour de force’ with regard to production, montage and planning. Which leaves us walking proudly through our 3 newly signed airport areas.

‘Congratulations for a job well done’.

Nicoline van der Lugt
Euromail

´Their own initiative feed back is always so pleasant and thoughtful´

Nicoline van der Lugt is Coordinator Marketing and Communication at Euro Mail. This year our logo and the complete brand has been re-designed, which meant that all buildings and the complete car fleet had to be ‘newly dressed’. Kontrast Kommunikatie in Rotterdam was responsible for the design. We had little experience with building identification and fleetmarking. However, our parent company TNT Post did, and they advised us to get in touch with Van Beem & Van Haagen’.

´We originate from an organisation with 9 locations, spread throughout The Netherlands, and want to present ourselves with one corporate image and identity´ Among others, the new corporate identity is also a direct consequence of our new strategy. The design expresses itself with key words such as contemporary, sympathetic because of the rounded shapes and fresh colours. Our new identity is , of course, exposed optimally on our buildings and on the car fleet. After a short tender period, the assignment for development and production was given to Van Beem & Van Haagen. This has been proved to be a good choice.

´of course we were facing a rock solid deadline and short leadtimes´ The first meetings with Rob van Beem started April/May 2007, with the information that our main office in Waddinxveen had to be completely redecorated in the new style by 22nd June 2007. Rob did not appear to be too upset by that and, together with his team, made a real head start. The deadline was completely related to our personnel party, where our new plans and the new brand identity were to be unveiled. Internal communication before external, right? The deadline for Waddinxveen was met perfectly and 2 weeks later the signage on the other locations was finished as well. The project covered illuminated and non illuminated signs, external wayfinding and parking signage. In addition fleet marking on 15 mini vans and trucks.

´Thinking along and being able to rely on sufficient feed back is very pleasant´ After the whole operation is completed, everything new and looking spic and span you consider yourself a very proud client. In reflection you realize that, if a project like this is being executed in full partnership, it will lead to the best end result. VB&VH thinks along with you, they come up with practical ideas and solutions and give regular feed backs on the status and to check your approval. And that is a pleasant way of working together.

Tino van Vlijmen
WoonDôme Almere

´Perfectionists who come up with the goods´

Tino van Vlijmen is director/owner of a.o. WoonDôme Almere.´When we first made contact with Van Beem & Van Haagen regarding our signing, the first thing I noticed was their enthusiasm and their enormous professional drive. Before I knew what was happening the first project plan was on my desk.´

´Primarily we wanted to show on the outside, what happened inside´ After all, a department store for interior decorating and furniture, with ‘8 floors of life style’ (appr. 12,000 m2) in a variety of different styles, is quite something. We have been located in Almere for 3 years now, so just having your name on the building is not enough; you also need visual communication. Alta Communications in Utrecht have laid the creative and conceptual foundation of our brand identity and of our in- and out store communication. In close cooperation with Alta VB&VH developed the proposals for technical realisation. During this process their innovative but practical ideas were quite remarkable; that’s what you call constructively thinking along. And not just nice looking, but most and for all useful and technically (re)producible ideas.

´Perfectionism and a constant feed back obviously is their motto´ Although I sometimes think ‘People like that are becoming extinct’, it’s refreshing to see they do still exist. People that go for the principle ‘A deal is a deal’, and if possible a tiny nudge extra. We experienced the whole operation as an immense quantity of materials necessary for outlet communication. Based on the advice of VB&VH, we decided for façade letter signing on the front and the back of the building of respectively 31 x 3 and 21 x 2 m; and believe me, from close by that’s huge. In addition façade style elements, exchangeable brand promotion visuals of 4 m wide and last but not least full colour, full height window visuals on the front of the building. Also in store floor number signs and collection indicators are a welcome guideline for our clients.

´If we wanted to lie back, Rob didn’t give us a chance´ Being constantly on top of it’; that’s probably the best way to describe Rob with regard to possibly not meeting agreed leadtimes or feed back. In this way it was possible to execute this project precisely within the designated period June/September. I almost forgot the alternating window visuals to support our promotional campaigns. And guess what……always strictly on schedule. Instore communication is never finished; for next year we have planned new information columns and additional floor number indicators. You do understand, that we will of course select VB&VH to do the job.

Yme Pasma
TNT Post

´big compliment´

Yme Pasma, Director Retail TNT Post. I believe a big compliment for the project team, and especially for Van Beem & Van Haagen, is in place. The replacement of all our interior and exterior signing of all our locations has been a smooth operation and we can only be very content, because it was a very complex project.

´Please allow me to indicate size and complexity´ On all 2,350 Business Points, Post Offices and shops all TPG Post signing had to be replaced by the TNT Post identity. Our demand: The total rebranding must be completed before the end of 2006. Van Beem & Van Haagen were in charge of all the façade signage. Additional complicating factor the synchronic rebranding of Postbank and Post Offices during the same period.

All old signs had to be removed, transported and demolished, simultaneously with the installation of new illuminated signs with the TNT Post branding on roofs and facades. In total approximately 5,000 elements in numerous variations.

´Why our choice for Van Beem & Van Haagen ?´ Our procurement department performed a thorough pre-selection. Eventually 13 suppliers were requested for a cost estimate. Obviously price was an important factor, but it is not just money that counts .

After ample deliberations on all criteria, eventually VB&VH had the best proposition for our rebranding project, and therefore were recommended by procurement. A recommendation we gladly embraced. We liked their approach, the drive to go for solutions in close cooperation with our design agency to develop and produce the correct prototype. But also their broad experience with projects of this magnitude was decisive. And of course their price level was up to market standards.

´Afraid to go for it, with a relatively young and smaller supplier? ´ Although it is a young company, all the people working there have an experience of decades in the signage market: Rob van Beem, Luuk van Haagen and their staff. The strategic partnership with Astley Signs in Newcastle was also a decisive factor. The cooperation with such a renowned company is, of course, very trustworthy component. Although the number of FTA’s at VB&VH is relatively limited, they were still able to mobilise a network capacity sufficient to rebrand over 2,350 locations within a 4 month period. I learned that at the height of the operation over 130 people were involved in the realisation of this project, directed and supervised by VB&VH.

´Am I satisfied with the overall project flow?´ Of course you like to be confirmed that you have made the right choice. In the last 7 years we have gone through 3 name changes, so you could call us experienced. But this time our project manager Wilbert van den Tilaart was almost surprised as to how smooth the overall project had been executed. A few project meetings sufficed, excellent intermediary communication and exchange of information to the shops regarding the planning. In short, everything was under control. And, not unimportant, nice people to work with.

´Therefore, my compliments!´

Hans Bouchier
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

´The ability to think innovatively distinguishes you from other suppliers´

Hans Bouchier, Business Manager Wayfinding at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.´We have 3 regular external partners for the in- and external signage at Schiphol. Van Beem & Van Haagen appears to score the best results with regard to innovative thinking (along). ‘Thinking out of the box’ so to speak´

´We are building and rebuilding continuously, and that is not going to change´ A major part of our internal wayfinding signage is constantly ‘on the move’. New developments, renovations, interior wayfinding, exterior wayfinding are all subject to continuous additions or amendments. The Infos manual was published in 1990, with a major revision in 2001. It is a joint production of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Mijksenaar Design Agency. Mijksenaar supplies a basic grid on behalf of the production parties who, with their specific knowledge of basic starting points and tolerances, develop a (re)producible proposal. VB&VH plays an equal role along with their 2 other competitors/colleagues.

´New ideas and projects are of course the icing on the cake´ The development, and eventually production, of new applications remain the biggest challenge and probably are the most fun to do. In this process VB&VH is an excellent partner for us. They show the ability of innovative thinking and doing. At the moment we are busy with proposals for Aruba Airport, where we try to maintain the Schiphol signing, but with a Caribbean touch. Maybe a West Indien challenge for VB&VH in the near future. Closer to home the newly installed cubical illuminated signs for the ‘baggage belt identification’ are a perfect example of innovation. The question was to realize cubical signs around the existing square columns, with a minimum depth but maintaining an evenly spread illumination source and the ‘Schiphol-yellow’ characteristics. That required some mutual thinking and deliberation, but in the meantime they have all been installed.

´The client is king, as long as he behaves like an emperor´ Once upon a time somebody spoke these memorable words. I personally like to behave like an emperor, so that should not be the problem, should it? But seriously: The relatively young VB&VH can compete easily with their professional peers, and we expect to work with them on many projects in the future, because they can make the perfect turn around from supplier to problem solvers.

Carlo Verhart
Postbank

´Knowledge is their major asset´

´At the time of this project Carlo Verhart was Design Manager at the Communications Department of Postbank.´ If I had to mention keywords with regard to Van Beem & Van Haagen in advance, I would come up with their knowledge of:

• the market
• the technical possibilities
• our organisations

´A new company but feels like a relationship of years´ It is a proven fact that the relationship and cooperation with a preferred supplier depends totally on the people involved. Although Rob van Beem en Luuk van Haagen and their team are the ones that put the company on the map, we have done business together for years. On paper VB&VH is relatively new on the market, but it is a professional unit with a lot of experience and know how. Therefore the correct strategic partners in building identification.

´Excellent starting point for 3 clients with 1 shared objective´ One minor nuance; because in the end Post Offices were the actual client for the rebranding assignment, we had an advisory and supporting role. We had recently finished our own rebranding operation for our locations (change to the cyan blue colour) and could share this experience and expertise with our partners at TNT Post and Post Offices. One of the outcomes was to split the project into two separate assignments; i.e. prototyping and production/roll out. An assignment that VB&VH handled perfectly during the tender stage.

´Overview, knowledge and project management are success indicators´ The fun of cooperating with third parties (actually co-clients) is to find out very fast, that you are either being confirmed in your own vision and choice, or contradicted. And then, of course, it is good to see how a 4 party partnership can lead to good results. Without underestimating the technical execution, bottom line it is all about the sum of knowledge, experience, project management and most and for all an expertise overview and insight.

“I look at VB&VH as a knowledge centre”