Gerard and Ton van den Berg grew up in their father’s furniture factory G.A. Van Den Berg Meubelen Hellevoetsluis. As sons of a furniture maker, Gerard and Ton know intimately how to practice this craft and communicate it to the world around them. Likewise to Marieke (Ton’s daughter) and Jasper (Gerard’s son) who are already the 3rd generation of furniture makers in the family. By designing timeless modern furniture with distinct design and using unique natural materials, LABEL | Vandenberg has been creating furniture that lives with you since 1991. Ton is now enjoying his time off, but the family can still call on his knowledge and expertise.

With your business or entrepreneurship, you must also add value for all stakeholders. In the past, I always thought there were 4 main stakeholder groups, suppliers, customers, shareholders and employees. Value is added for all those components. And you put energy into that, too.

Over the years, I have come to realize that there is a fifth stakeholder who is at least as important. ‘The environment’ or ‘the environment’ is a very important stakeholder. That “environment” plays out mostly in your own neighborhood.

For everyone, the closer, the more important. This is exactly why I think local business is so important. For the same reason, I am in favor of a well-organized government that is mindful of SMEs doing business locally. There is a trade-off in that because it contributes to a good environment. Our furniture is therefore made right here in Brabant, in Raamsdonksveer in our own factory. We don’t outsource anything to Asia, Eastern Europe or anywhere else. Naturally, we adhere to all regulations in our manufacturing process, which is partly responsible for the environment. That immediately makes “my bridge” to sustainability.