No managers and cleaning lady who drives a Porsche

No managers, no middle management, and no staff shortages. Everyone is equal at machine manufacturer Niverplast in Nijverdal. Founder Gerrit-Jan Nieuwenhuis believes that 'rules criminalize.' According to him, if you watch people closely, you create a culture of fear where people hide their mistakes.

This article appeared in the Telegraaf on August 17th 2023.

The anarchistic approach, according to the entrepreneur, results in motivated and autonomous employees. This translates into low absenteeism and little turnover. Interest in this unique way of doing business has been growing in recent years. According to the entrepreneur, who no longer plays an active role in the company, this is also influenced by the current zeitgeist. 'The new generation doesn't easily accept being told what to do. If people need rules, it means they lack information.'

Leadership Roles

Nieuwenhuis, who started the company at the age of 24 in 1986, transferred 'leadership' to his son Richard and others three years ago. 'Although we don't think in terms of a board of directors, you still need people who have signing authority. You are legally required to have that,' he explains. His son adds that there are also employees in leadership roles. 'But it happens organically and is not imposed from above.' Richard has continued his father's approach, although there have been some recent changes. 'Two years ago, we organized the company into cells. A cell can be seen as a separate company with a maximum of thirty colleagues focusing on a specific market or product and making all decisions themselves.' The company hopes this will prevent decision-making from becoming too sluggish.

Career

To maintain the culture in the company, the founder used to spend a lot of time walking around the company to gauge how people were feeling based on their actions. His son now leaves this to buddies chosen by colleagues themselves. 'I see them as antennae in the company. They observe who is getting stuck or who is ready for a new step.' Because there are no bosses or managers in the company, it doesn't mean you can't advance in your career. 'If you're looking for a title, you're not in the right place with us because you won't get one,' says Anne Poortman, who handles everything related to personnel at Niverplast. 'But you can have ambition and take on more tasks and responsibilities.'

Although employees at Niverplast don't have fixed working hours, according to Poortman, it's rare for people to slack off. 'People work in teams and naturally guide each other.' Richard Nieuwenhuis adds that the team should not be hindered by the work ethic of an individual. 'The social strength is very strong. For example, we are not against remote working, but it's still uncommon.'

Feeling Lost

Currently, 280 people work at Niverplast. In the last two years, a hundred people have joined. 'For many people, our way of working takes some getting used to,' says Poortman. 'Because there are no defined boundaries within which you work, you can feel very lost or very responsible. Both can be burdensome. That's why we really take the time to help colleagues adapt.'

Employees receive insight into the company's performance at least twice a year. If it's good, employees receive a net bonus. 'We deliberately choose not to link the bonus amount to individual salaries because that would increase inequality,' says Nieuwenhuis. 'Someone with fewer skills works just as hard for the company's success. You need everyone. You can make a lot of profit, but it's still important that the toilets are clean.' His wife still takes care of that occasionally. She doesn't do it for the money, but she enjoys staying involved with the company in that way. 'She's probably the only cleaner who drives a Porsche!'