NAOMI VAN DER MEER

Meet Naomi van der Meer, who is responsible for the theme of working conditions in the value chain within the CSRD team. Naomi is committed to ensuring that all employees in our value chain work under fair and safe conditions. Transparency and responsibility are the core values that we strive for at Arcus Group.

Naomi van der Meer walks through the busy hallways of the Arcus office. Her schedule is full, but when it comes to working conditions in the value chain, she always makes time. Transparency and responsibility are not just words to her, but core values that she puts into practice every day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what your role is within the CSRD team?
‘After studying Small Business and Retail Management, I started at Arcus five years ago as a support staff member for the Export sales team. I learned the tricks of the trade for two years until a new opportunity came up internally. I made the switch to the purchasing team, where I have been working as a Stock Management Specialist for three years now. Here I am involved in stock management, the purchasing of certain groups of fittings and the daily purchasing requests. Our suppliers play an important role within the entire value chain and therefore also within CSRD. Because I am in daily contact with our suppliers, I know exactly what is going on and this is very important for CSRD policy.’

Why is it important to pay attention to the working conditions in our value chain?
‘Arcus has always had an eye for fair and safe working conditions. We have been visiting our suppliers for years. During these visits, we not only check the quality of the products, but we also look at the conditions in which people work.’

‘Safety is a top priority at Arcus, and that doesn’t just apply to our own employees. We want everyone in our chain to be able to work safely, from factory workers to transporters. That’s why we take our responsibility seriously and only work with reliable partners.’

How do we check whether our partners and suppliers meet our standards for working conditions?
‘Ensuring good working conditions at Arcus happens at various levels. It starts with the written confirmation: the ‘Suppliers Code of Conduct’. Our suppliers sign this document and promise to meet our standards.’

But Naomi and her team go further than just the written confirmation.

‘During our visits, we take the opportunity to talk to our partners about topics such as climate change, circularity and waste, and working conditions. We ask various questions to the people responsible within the company. This way, we want to get a good and realistic picture of the policy and business operations of the factories.’

‘We use the CSRD policy to map out the risks. Suppliers are categorized using a risk matrix based on the risk associated with their region. We visit suppliers in high-risk countries once every two years, while we visit partners in less risky countries at least once every five years. This ensures that we stay in touch and can make adjustments where necessary.’

Can you share a success story of an improvement we have realized in the value chain?
‘At the moment, the CSRD policy is still in the starting blocks, so there are no concrete successes to mention yet. The policy has been drawn up and we are now working on its implementation. I am convinced that success stories will certainly follow and I would like to share them.’

What do you want to achieve in the coming years in terms of working conditions within the value chain at Arcus Group?
‘Although the CSRD policy is still in its initial phase, I am determined to bring about real change in the coming years. One of the goals is to encourage our suppliers to maintain a 40-hour working week at a fair salary. In this way, we are following the recommendation of the International Labor Organization (ILO). We also remain committed to the prevention of child labor and forced labor.’

‘During supplier visits, we also pay attention to smaller but essential matters. Does everyone wear protective clothing? Are there helmets and safety shoes? These are basic conditions, but they make a big difference.’

How do you see the future of sustainability within our company and what role do our partners and followers play in this?
‘As a wholesaler, Arcus is at the heart of the value chain and therefore plays a key role. We can positively influence both our customers and suppliers. The largest CO2 emissions do not occur within our own operation, but rather in the chain. That is why dialog with our partners is essential.’

‘In addition to the discussion about working conditions, Arcus is also looking at sustainability within its own organization. We are investing in green energy for our new warehouse in Dordrecht, reducing packaging waste and taking small but impactful steps such as reducing printing and encouraging cycling for commuting.’

‘The strength of Arcus lies in the long-term relationships with its partners. Because we have been working together for many years, we know that we can trust each other and take steps together. Sustainability and fair working conditions are not only our responsibility, but a joint mission.’

‘With determination and a clear goal in mind, I remain committed to fair and safe working conditions in the value chain. Transparency is not a goal in itself, but a way to achieve real change.’

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