It is, after all, the details — visible and invisible — that make the difference. And that is exactly what our people ensure.
One of them is Eric van de Vliet. Nine years ago, he made the transition from commercial manager to owner of SDB.
Eric, what made you decide to take over the company?
“When I was asked whether I wanted to become the owner, I took time to think it through carefully. After a lot of calculations and discussions with friends and specialists, only one question remained: why wouldn’t I do it? However, some changes were necessary. For example, three months later we moved from Den Bosch to Rosmalen. This gave us more space to organise everything more efficiently. Looking back, it was an important step for the future.”
How do you approach projects?
“Regardless of the budget or the challenges, I always think in terms of solutions. I listen carefully to the client’s story and translate it into a suitable design. And it not only has to look good, it also has to be practical. Can staff easily access the display case? Can shelves be adjusted quickly? And is the lighting adaptable? This is how we create display cases that remain perfectly suitable for many years.”
SDB stands for craftsmanship and innovation. How do you bring this into practice?
“Our foundation is still the unique aluminium profile system from the 1960s. It is extremely solid and cleverly designed and we continue to build on that. Innovation lies in the details: integrating LED lighting, routing hinges into the structure, and producing more efficiently with pre-machined components. I am constantly working on improvements, without reinventing the wheel. That is what I enjoy: moving forward step by step.”
“At the Red Bull headquarters in England, you only see display cases from Rosmalen”
What do you enjoy most about your work at SDB?
“That we create something beautiful from nothing. We start with a blank sheet and end with display cases that everyone is proud of. That never gets old. Sometimes I scroll through photos of projects and think: wow, we actually made that.”
Which project or client is still on your bucket list?
“My ultimate project has already been completed: at Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes. When you enter their headquarters in England, you see nothing but display cases from Rosmalen installed as high as three metres above the ground, made possible in collaboration with our partners. Much to the satisfaction of our client.
Ultimately, that is what it is all about: creating something together that makes everyone proud.”
Curious to read more or interested in working with us?Discover what it is like to work at SDB Vitrinebouw or read more about our craftsmanship in display cases
