Investing in own inspectors
Qualitas has deliberately chosen a path of steady, organic growth. “We work exclusively with our own staff and don’t outsource. That’s the way we can guarantee the highest level of quality,” Klaas explains. “That means investing heavily in training our inspectors. New colleagues shadow experienced inspectors for an extended period before they go out on their own. That process often takes several months. You can’t learn this job from just a manual. In practice, you’ll always encounter situations you’ve never seen before. We make sure our inspectors are very well prepared for that.”
Qualitas is also building an online academy that gathers all company knowledge in one central place. “That way, expertise doesn’t just sit inside the heads of our seasoned inspectors, we make it accessible to everyone.”
Openness as a foundation
A culture of openness is just as important as technical expertise, Klaas emphasises. “We keep the lines of communication short: managers can essentially be contacted 24/7. We actively encourage an open culture where everyone feels free to share ideas, questions and suggestions. That often leads directly to improvements in our processes.”
Qualitas operates from bases in the Rotterdam and Groningen regions. “Our inspectors work nationwide and often operate independently, but they still stay in close contact,” Klaas says. “It’s great to see how naturally and frequently knowledge is shared among colleagues. That’s something we really want to continue strengthening.”
A committed team
The industry is constantly evolving, and Klaas sees that reflected in the team’s commitment. “Our inspectors closely follow new techniques and regulations. A recent example is a new NVWA requirement to package samples of certain foodstuffs in UV-protective bags. UV light can break down harmful moulds and mycotoxins, making them less detectable in lab results. Developments like these spark discussions within the team: how do we integrate this into our processes? That shared vigilance makes us stronger.”
The world in a jar of peanut butter
“Inspection work in international trade continues to fascinate me,” Klaas says. “It really shows how interconnected the world is. Without international import, export and the checks that go with them, everyday things like a simple peanut-butter or chocolate sprinkles sandwich wouldn’t be possible. Peanuts and cocoa beans simply don’t grow in the Netherlands.”
“We work with a wide range of products and at many different locations within this global logistics chain, from terminals and ships to storage facilities and factories. Our work as an inspection company is therefore both diverse and vital, and it carries significant responsibility.”
“Thus, our core values – accuracy, expertise and reliability – aren’t just nice-sounding words to us,” says Klaas. “They form the foundation of everything we do. We aim to set the benchmark for a new standard of quality in raw-material inspections and other conformity assessment services. By continuing to invest in our people, knowledge and culture, we can make a lasting contribution to a safer and fairer world,” Klaas concludes.
¹ Accredited within the scope of the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) under registration number I236.