IJmond Timber Factory
At Ijmond Timmerfabriek, we were given the opportunity to improve the indoor climate and spoke with the CEO, Richard Baanders, about our efforts.
How IJmond Timmerfabriek improved quality with BBHUM
Stable climate, more stable wood
IJmond Timmerfabriek in Beverwijk specializes in frames, windows, doors, and folding walls. Virtually every product is custom-made, manufactured based on the specific wishes of the customer. With 5 employees in production, it is a compact team that operates daily on precision and craftsmanship, and precisely with this type of custom work, the quality stands or falls with the conditions in which the wood is processed.
For wood is a living material. It reacts to its environment, and humidity plays a greater role in this than many companies initially realize. This applies not only to the product but just as much to the people who work with it: a hall with air that is too dry or too fluctuating is not a pleasant place for employees to stand in all day, either. At IJmond Timmerfabriek, this was not a conscious point of attention from day one either; that insight came later with the necessary practical experience. We spoke to Richard Baanders, CEO of IJmond Timmerfabriek, about this.
A hall that resisted
The problem
At the previous location, humidity simply wasn't on the agenda. Yet the team noticed that something wasn't right: the climate in the hall was unpleasant to work in, there was a lot of dust in the air, and the wood was noticeably “working” too much due to low and fluctuating humidity: it warped, contracted, and expanded in ways that compromised the quality of the final product. That dust and fluctuating climate were not just a production problem: the working environment was not optimal for the staff either.
No solution was available at that moment. The old building lacked both the space and the capabilities to address this; the problem was felt by both product and people, but it was not tackled.
What ultimately tipped the scales in favor of taking action was a broader ambition: the desire to continue working professionally and progressively. Top products require top-quality equipment, and therefore the right conditions in the hall, both for the wood and for the employees who work there daily. At IJmond Timmerfabriek, a good working environment and a good product proved to be inextricably linked.
The choice for BBHUM
Through word of mouth, IJmond Timmerfabriek came into contact with Martin from BBHUM. Martin visited the old location, and based on that good, personal conversation, the choice quickly fell on BBHUM.
The subsequent process, from initial contact to the actual installation, was also satisfactory. Communication was clear, lines of communication were short, and questions were answered quickly. You notice this especially when something goes wrong: when a leak occurred, it was fixed the very same day; and on the day before Christmas, no less. For IJmond Timmerfabriek, that was a clear signal that BBHUM remains involved even after the installation.
For the carpentry factory, BBHUM installed a high-pressure misting system from Finest Fog, a system that aligns well with the scale and needs of the company.
Noticeable in the product and in the workplace
The result
Since the installation, the difference is clearly noticeable, both in the production hall and in the finished product. For example, the wood “shocks” less when entering the spray booth, which directly results in a more stable end product and higher, more consistent quality. IJmond Timmerfabriek also notices the difference in after-sales: there are noticeably fewer complaints and problems afterwards.
At least as important is the difference the employees themselves experience. They now perceive the hall as a cleaner, fresher environment to stand in all day: less dust in the air, less dry and fluctuating air, and a workplace that simply feels more pleasant. While humidity was previously viewed primarily as a production issue, it turns out to be just as much a matter of job satisfaction and well-being. A hall with a just-right climate is a nicer place for the team to work, and that carries over into how people feel on the floor every day.
Does IJmond Timmerfabriek look back wondering if this shouldn't have happened sooner? Not necessarily: at the old location, both the knowledge and the capabilities to handle this properly were lacking. Only with the right knowledge and the right partner did this become a realistic and logical next step.
The advice to peers
Just do it and experience it. There is nothing as important as a stable climate environment.
IJmond Timmerfabriek recommends BBHUM without hesitation to other companies in the woodworking industry. The collaboration is going well, the experience with BBHUM is pleasant, and the quality of the installation is exactly what was expected based on the discussions. For companies unsure whether humidification is right for them, the message is simple: a stable climate in the hall is not an extra; it is the foundation of every top-quality product.
Also a stable climate environment?
