In 2024, Select HR celebrates its 20th anniversary. An important milestone that we would like to celebrate together with our partners and clients. We look back on long-term collaborations with some of our loyal partners. When the Limburg offices were asked which client we should interview, the answer came immediately: Chiyoda Europa!

Who is Chiyoda Europa?

Chiyoda Europa, a subsidiary of the Japanese company Chiyoda Gravure Corporation, is one of the leading decorative printers thanks to its international activities and long-standing experience in printing decorative paper and foil for the furniture and laminate flooring industry, such as laminate floors, wall and ceiling panels, and worktops.

Chiyoda Europa has a dedicated team with strong technical expertise, delivers excellent quality and has a forward-looking vision. Creativity, process innovation, extensive product development and targeted marketing support this strategy. As a result, Chiyoda Europa offers a wide and interesting product portfolio.

The current HR Manager, Viviane Hermans, has been working at Chiyoda Europa for 39 years, including 18 years as HR Manager.

What kind of profiles work at Chiyoda Europa?

“Our site in Genk has 158 employees, including 112 blue-collar workers and 46 white-collar employees. The blue-collar roles are mainly production-related functions such as operators.”

How did you start working with Select HR?

“Our HR team consists of one person, but in practice we all know that an HR team, whether large or small, always depends on constructive collaboration between all departments.

To come back to your question: to manage everything properly, I looked for support on certain HR topics. As early as 2006, it seemed wise to build our recruitment strategy together with an external partner. After a thorough study and comparison between several recruitment agencies, Chiyoda Europa started working with Mieke and Sofie, who were then working at Adecco.

When they moved to Select HR, I didn’t hesitate and immediately followed them. I have never regretted that decision.

Over the years, the collaboration between Chiyoda Europa and Select HR has gone beyond recruitment. We have also been able to rely on the professional expertise of employees across Select Group.

In 2022, Select HR proposed creating a “master vendor” structure to support Chiyoda Europa even better during the labor market shortage. Together with several recruitment agencies, the first job day at Chiyoda Europa was organized. It was a relief for our company and several other job days followed.”

Do you also use other services within Select Group?

“Yes. When we have questions about outplacement, assessments or coaching our team leaders, Select HR is our first choice. We know the value of your company, your employees and your coaches. That gives Chiyoda Europa the necessary support, a real partner in crime.”

Looking back on 20 years of collaboration, do you have a memorable anecdote?

“A lot has happened in those 20 years and no specific anecdote comes to mind immediately. But one moment always stayed with me: visiting the football club RAFC Antwerp.

Together with our coach Filip and with Mieke, Sofie and Carl, we rehearsed a new version of the Schlagerfestival during the car ride so we would be ready for kickoff. That ride could have lasted for hours for me. It was a fantastic and very enjoyable evening.

We should also not forget the colleagues from the Pelt office. Thanks to clear communication, they ensured the job days ran smoothly. We even visited the office in Pelt afterwards to congratulate them.”

What makes Select HR different from other HR partners?

“The biggest difference lies in the people. When you have a different contact person every three months, it’s difficult to build a strong relationship. The Select HR team is very stable and most colleagues have long seniority.

They know Chiyoda Europa very well and understand exactly what approach we need. For every question they provide the right answer and the right support.

Partnerships like this, where professional and passionate employees meet the expectations of our company in a constructive and respectful way, deserve recognition. It also says a lot about Select HR as an employer.”

Thank you for your kind words, Viviane!