We look back on 2025, a year that is almost over. It has been a challenging year with a lot of dynamics in a volatile market. Nevertheless, we look back with some positivity and gratitude on a year that could have been worse. Time for Arjan to look back on this year!
Fewer projects, but job vacancies and a sad farewell.
Many projects our colleagues were working on in the pharmaceutical sector came to a successful conclusion at the end of 2024 and in 2025, but unlike other years, the market for new projects was virtually at a standstill. Fortunately, there were still vacancies that we could use to support our clients, but because more people left than joined, we saw a net decline in the number of people in work. We also had more colleagues “in between projects” than in other years. Because we did not send a colleague whose emigration we had facilitated back to the airport at the first setback, this was difficult to swallow from a business perspective. Based on the idea of value-driven entrepreneurship, this was a conscious choice.
All of this paled in comparison to the unexpected death of our valued colleague Raghu on January 31, something you never hope to experience as an employer. At such a moment, words fail you and you are left speechless. We noticed and felt this for a long time in the mood in the months that followed. Yet life and work go on as usual.
From promotional gift to promotional event
Previously, we were busy every December or January delivering end-of-year or New Year’s gifts. In recent years, we noticed from the feedback that not everyone wants an alcoholic gift. This is partly because it contributes to extra production and because people are opting for a healthy lifestyle. We decided to adopt a more event-oriented approach in the future. And in a year when SAIL Amsterdam was organized again in the Netherlands after a five-year absence, this was possible and also a perfect opportunity.
Much learned and ready for 2026
In a year in which many things have gone wrong, there have been no major successes, and a lot is in the pipeline in terms of legislation (new collective labor agreement and the upcoming licensing system in 2027), you realize how resilient the organization is. It is precisely by sharing moments together and learning retroactively which decisions from the past could have been different or better that you see the possibilities emerging again.
In the last five months of 2025, we were already busier again, and four emigrations are already planned for the new year. The potential customers who were going to decline in 2025 are also playing their part, so we are back to a healthy workload. Keep an eye on our website for new vacancies. Perhaps you are the engineer with experience in the pharmaceutical industry that we will be welcoming in 2026.
Interested?
Are you an engineer in the pharmaceutical, food, or chemical industry and interested in opportunities in the Netherlands? Feel free to take a look at our job page. Are you a client looking for a committed partner for your capacity issues? Feel free to contact us.
