Roel Seele, chairman EFTA Benelux:

Roel Seele, chairman EFTA Benelux: 'Also in Brussels, where the European policy is made, we have a seat at the table'.

For 40 years, EFTA Benelux has played an important role in the advocacy and development of the Flexo printing technology. Through education and knowledge sharing, many innovations have emerged that have given the Flexo printing technique a worthy market position alongside other printing techniques such as offset and gravure printing. Roel Seele has been the chairman of EFTA Benelux for seven years. A role that he performs with a lot of  passion even though he is no longer active in this sector himself. Since 2010, under his leadership, EFTA Benelux has been at the basis of the international trade organisation FTA Europe. This organisation even has its own representation in Brussels. Time for an interview to get to know this change-maker with a great passion for the profession.

By: Ria Luitjes
Photo: Roel Seele EFTA Benelux

Chairman EFTA Benelux Roel Seele during the EFTA Benelux Awards 2019 in Hilton in Antwerp.

 

Tell me, who's Roel Seele?

I was born in Gouda 60 years ago. It's also where I spent my childhood. I have been living in a small village called Witteveen in Drenthe for 20 years now. I’am married, together we have a son (28) and a daughter (26). After studying Chemical Technology at the HTS in The Hague, I started my first job in Capelle aan den IJssel (near Rotterdam) at 4P Printing & Promotion as a process manager. After having worked at several printing companies in various management positions, I became general manager of the printing companies in 2000: HaPeCe in Kampen and van Envi in Assen, in the north of our country. Until 2014, I have worked in these printing companies with great pleasure and passion'.

 

How did you become president of EFTA and what have you changed?

"My predecessor, Joan Hanegraaf of Oerlemans Plastics, held this position for eight years. He wanted to free up more time for his companies and asked me to take over. As an association, we wanted to be more decisive. In order to achieve this, the first change we made was to reduce the size of the board. Because there is no training available for employees in our sector, we set up the Flexo Academy. You learn our trade, 'on the job' so to speak. Because training courses are not only needed in the Benelux, but throughout Europe, FTA Europe eventually was launched, the Flexo Technical Association with affiliated associations: Benelux, England, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

From a European perspective, we broadened our scope. After all, we represent the Benelux and not just the Netherlands. Belgium is now represented on our board by the vice-chairmanship of Wim Buyle. But we are also have a seat at the table in Brussels, where European policy is made. This has been done by FTA Europe's board membership of the European trade association Intergraf, which represents the interests of 20 European countries in the graphics industry'.

 

Chairman Roel Seele (l) and vice-chairman Wim Buyle (r) of EFTA Benelux on location at the Design Group printing works in Hoogeveen.

 

You are now working in the fibreglass business but you are still chairman of EFTA Benelux?

When I indicated that I wanted to quit EFTA for that reason, the board thought this was a bad plan. If anyone knows a lot about the industry, it was me. So I stayed on request, and I still enjoy this task'.

 

How did you experience the recent corona crisis?

"The world has become a much smaller place. My life consisted of working at home at the kitchen table or alone at the office. For me, too, the weekly outing was buying our groceries at the supermarket. For the rest you had nowhere to go. At the same time we 'zoomed' a lot online. Such type of meeting is very efficient. You don't have to travel, so that's nice. Only what's necessary is said and that is very efficient. But sometimes it's also about the things that are said when you physically meet each other, and that's a big loss'.

A number of major events such as the DRUPA in Düsseldorf could not take place. That's a pity. Especially when it comes to the presentation of the FTA Europe Diamond Awards for the Flexo Printers. During the gala that we organise, the entire chain will be put in the spotlight. The Flexo Academy also had to be filled in online during the last two days. I teach the students on the location of one of our members. Online teaching is a completely different way than being in a room together. For the participants, but also for me as a teacher'.

 

Did the role of the association change towards its members during covid19?

No, actually, it didn't. We did represent the interests when there was a shortage of Ethanol for our companies. During the crisis this was mainly used for disinfection materials, such as the well-known sanitizers and cleaning wipes. Printers use Ethanol to dilute the ink. This is necessary for printing. Through Integraf, our representative office in Brussels, we have ensured that the printing works can once again.

 

What is the most important development you now see for the EFTA association?

The technology for flexo printing has really improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, which has resulted in a very high quality end result. You can hardly see the difference with other techniques. That's an achievement because the Flexo printing process is one of the most difficult printing techniques.

Another development is a shortage of trained personnel. As indicated, there is no training and our employees are trained in the printing companies and our Flexo Academy. We don't see many young people opting for our industry, even though they are well-paid jobs. No, it is not a 'computer screen culture' but it is an inspiring environment where you have plenty of development opportunities with a lot of responsibility. As an association, we need to work towards a positive image in our industry. This is the moment we need new people (preferably also women) who will be able to take care of the work of the people who are retiring'.

What does the role of Lejeune mean for EFTA?

"A lot! Our board consists of volunteers who all work in business. Often people who get time for it from their employer or because they can arrange their own time as owner or director. So we don't have time to be treasurer and/or run an entire secretariat'.

Lejeune's taking care of all this for us. Of the association administration, sending invitations, organizing meetings and maintaining the website. Everything is done by the Lejeune team. We are not a soccer club where you might have members who have time for that. This doesn't work for us. We're a serious association.'

By the way, it's not just about the practical implementation. If you see what Lejeune has even more to offer in terms of knowledge and connections with other associations. That's worth a lot. If you have questions, they can very quickly make a link with other associations and connect people. Or they know people who can take care of things. They have a lot of experience in association management. This experience is invaluable. When I started, even Jules' father, Mans Lejeune, was still active in the company. They have added value and we are very satisfied with how everything goes'.

 

How do you see EFTA in five years?

In five years' time, we will still be playing an important role for our members in Brussels. Our members are fully aware of this. We'll be more visible, not just to the director or manager. From member to printer, everyone in our industry will be involved in, and aware of, the role of EFTA Benelux. Our training courses will then be extensive and have become an integral part of our way of working. They have become the basis for sharing and gathering knowledge.

In five years' time, everyone will be aware that EFTA Benelux is the association that stands up for the industry's interests. And although I say it myself, our industry is one of the best professional communities there is'.