“Until recently, our CO₂ cylinders were filled by a company in Germany,” Marcel explains. “But that’s not really the Quooker way, because we prefer to handle everything ourselves. That’s why we developed a new production line to refill the CO₂ cylinders we receive back. It was quite a process and took us three years to develop. Multiple departments were involved, including Engineering, Facility, R&D, Maintenance, Logistics, and Quality. When a building became available on Nikkelstraat in spring 2023, we were finally able to get started.”

3,000 cylinders per day The new CO₂ filling line is thirty meters long. At the start, two employees unpack and inspect the cylinders. They then go into the machine, where they are emptied and refilled. Thirty meters further down the line, two colleagues take the filled cylinders off the belt, up to 3,000 per day. Somewhere along the line, you’ll find Marcel. He steps in where needed and coordinates with engineers if issues arise. He also manages staffing and ensures the logistics run smoothly. “The challenge is to achieve the desired output every day. By the end of the week, you want to say: we worked hard and achieved a great result together.”

The development and planning took about three years, partly due to deciding on the right location. “Initially, we considered Germany, then Belgium, then our HUB location in Eemhaven. Eventually, this building on Nikkelstraat became available around May or June last year. After that, things moved quickly, and in July 2024 we officially started here with the production team.”

An eye for detail Hard work is nothing new to Marcel. After fourteen years in the jewelry business, he joined Quooker in 2021 via an agency, assembling taps in production. “After some stressful years, I felt at ease here almost immediately. I quickly developed both enjoyment and skill in the work. With my jeweler’s eye, I was very focused on quality. Any part with a scratch or dent, I would take out. I saw every tap as a jewel that a customer would unbox at home. I wanted to create a real ‘wow’ moment.” His dedication was noticed, and within a year he was offered a senior role. Just two years after joining Quooker, Marcel moved into a coordinator role at the HUB, adding responsibility for the filling line. “In principle, that’s two jobs, but by organizing everything well, I make sure both lines run smoothly,” he says. His attention to detail remains key: “It may end up in a kitchen cabinet, but every CO₂ cylinder we deliver must be flawless. No exceptions.”

Published on 19-11-2024