"Oliver has not only assisted me in my professional development but also in my integration into the Netherlands."

My name is Ian. I have been working at Oliver Healthcare Packaging as a Commercial Sales Engineer since April 2023. I originally come from South Africa and have been living in the Netherlands for about 1 year now.

Four months ago, I took my first steps at Oliver Healthcare Packaging. Starting as a Commercial Sales Engineer, I initially supported my colleagues in Sales, but soon I also took on the responsibility for a project involving the relocation of business activities from America to Europe. It's the perfect blend of technical challenges and sales.

What immediately appealed to me during the job interview last December was the tremendous growth Oliver was experiencing. This growth brought not only new opportunities for the company but also personal growth opportunities. At Oliver, the drive to grow is palpable, and while it can be stressful at times, it's a nice challenge for me.

My previous work experience with my former employer felt like a step back in time. I had come to the Netherlands to work with the latest technologies and machines. When I discovered Oliver, I knew this was the right place. Oliver invests not only in machines but, above all, in people.

What sets Oliver apart is the space provided to learn from mistakes. It's not an environment where you get fired if something goes wrong. This creates a culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up and seizing opportunities. 

In my home country, South Africa, the pressure to perform flawlessly was immense. Here at Oliver, they encourage experimentation and growth, even if it means making adjustments along the way.

My family and I moved to the Netherlands a year ago, when my son was just a month old. It was a challenge, but with the support of my colleagues here at Oliver, we found our way. Now, I'm starting to feel like we're settling in, and I can enjoy my free time, which I like to spend swimming with my son and relaxing in our beautiful garden.

Oliver has not only assisted me in my professional development but also in my integration into the Netherlands. They have truly helped by supporting me in my overall situation and understanding that it's not necessarily the same for me as for everyone else. I keep learning new things, about the country, at work, and the things you need to arrange privately. And on that front, they have been really helpful. If there are things I need to do or figure out urgently, they are always willing to say, "Just do it, no problem." So that has given me the confidence that they really care about their people.

Within Oliver, there is a culture of openness and collaboration between departments. Ideas are shared, and everyone feels involved in the company's success. Currently, I am closely involved in the project to relocate business activities from America to Venray. It's a challenge that I am working on with great enthusiasm.

The production in the new Hall 3 is pretty much the biggest topic of conversation here at the moment, and it's also the project that I lead. Hall 3 is the investment where we expand our facilities. Everything is located there. Everyone is now focused on further expanding production. I am responsible for the success of this project, but I think everyone at Oliver agrees that the ongoing development of Hall 3 is the primary goal for the next few years."