Hillco has confidence in Lets: clean is clean

When you move into a new building, like Hillco Poeliersbedrijf, you want to be able to rely on an efficient, high-quality cleaning system. Good hygiene is essential for producing and delivering high-quality chicken products. 

In November 2022 Hillco moved into its new premises in Ederveen. A completely new location where every detail of furnishing and maintenance was carefully considered in advance. "Of course we also needed a good cleaning system that met current requirements; an essential component for us," says Gerben van den Brink. Along with his brothers Ap and Marco, he runs the family business with about 20 employees. Every day they produce chicken snacks and supply them to restaurants, cafeterias, caterers and production companies. Gerben continues: "The company we were doing business with could no longer supply the system we wanted. He gave us the names of two other suppliers. One was LETS bv from Dronten. I called and spoke with Guustaaf Hoekstra. His story sounded good, I had faith in them. I didn't look any further." 

Gerben van den Brink (left) and Arne Brouwer

Varied supply

In the meeting room, a drawing evidences Hillco's first location: the store and warehouse where dad van den Brink started in 1982. "Dad left the company in 2013, but still comes to visit almost every day," laughs Gerben. Since its founding, the company has been providing a diverse range of chicken products. "Our snacks are exclusive because they are made from 100% meat. We want the consumer to really like it. We supply our Family Chicken label to the catering industry and cafeterias throughout the Netherlands and to a limited number of customers in Germany and Belgium. Our customers trust the good quality of our products. To boost sales, we help them promote our products."

Reliable production

In order to fulfill the customer's trust, within the company the production process is regulated to perfection. The three brothers have divided the tasks well. Ap has been with the company since 1991 and manages the customer base. Gerben followed as second son in 1994 and takes care of logistics, shipping and freezing. Youngest brother Marco joined in 2015 and focuses on production. When things get busy, they roll up their sleeves immediately to help their employees. "As sons of an entrepreneur, we are used to 'jumping in' where and when needed," says Gerben. The advantages according to Gerben of running the business with his brothers: "You can always share everything; your thoughts and your worries. And the three of us work really hard at it. We strongly stand by our pure meat product." 

From left to right Gerben, Ap and Marco van den Brink

Hygienic clean result

Cleaning at Hillco was also well taken care of with LETS. Because it was a new building, delivery and installation went 'like clockwork'. Consultant Arne Brouwer explains enthusiastically, "It is quite a thrill to come up with the right cleaning solution for a production company in the food industry. You want to realize the most efficient way of cleaning for them that meets the current hygiene requirements. We have done so by supplying a cleaning pump, reels, portable foam cart, a hot water preparer and a heat recovery installation. The heat recovery is obtained from cooling; in cooperation with DI Koeltechniek." A good tutorial was given by Arne, because, as Gerben says, "We have to be able to work with it well."

Cooperation and trust

Gerben looks back on the cooperation with satisfaction. "We wanted an easy installation and it was delivered. The guys who arranged the installation were top-notch. They didn't mind an extra half hour and didn't leave until the job was done. The system works great and our location remains very clean. The connection with the people at LETS was there from the beginning. This includes trust, because that's what it's all about!"

www.hillcopoeliersbedrijf.nl
www.letsbv.nl

Photos: © Herbert Wiggerman