Working for the future

For some time now, we have been announcing that the world of sugar is going to change drastically. That moment has arrived. Not suddenly, and yet…

Year after year, at Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, we have been preparing ourselves for this event. We have adapted our structures, tried to make everyone conscious of company spending, and we have taken steps to arm ourselves.

Until the past fiscal year, this new reality sounded unlikely because our profits kept rising. But then, the inevitable took place. Leaving us with the choice of either undergoing the change and adapting because we are forced to do so, or taking the necessary steps to control our own future.

We resolutely took the second option. Raffinerie Tirlemontoise is determined to be in control of its own destiny in total collaboration with SZ group functions.

These were not simple steps. We wanted to quickly adapt our industrial structures to the new reality, one in which we need to produce 30% less sugar. On top of that, we knew that our administrative costs would rise if we failed to adjust the personnel in Division to this new reality.

At the end of October, the decision was made to close Brugelette. Four months later, we announced a restructuring of our administrative staff in Tirlemont as well as in Division. With this, our dedicated personnel, but also the beet growers, our suppliers and the communes were dealt two hard blows. We took these unavoidable measures in order to safeguard our future. Happily, we could count on much understanding from our social partners as well as from the government and farmers.

Thanks to their constructive attitude, we are now in a better position. Not yet in a sound position, because on top of the inevitable changes at the heart of the sugar world, we are also facing rapidly increasing prices in energy and raw materials as well as inflation.

The year ahead will demand more sacrifices from all of us. We have to continue to keep an eye on spending and carefully consider every Euro we give out. We will continue to fight waste of energy, of raw materials, and out of spec products. But also waste through complaints, illness, overtime and accidents. We will have to change our way of working, and adapt it to the new reality.

I have complete confidence that we can realize this. Raffinerie Tirlemontoise has always been able to count on its employees, each and every one of them highly competent individuals. We will opt to raise competences through specific courses and trainings, and by redefining everyone’s task within this
new structure. Needless to say, we sincerely appreciate everyone’s effort.

We are convinced that the team spirit of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise will help us confront the difficult time that lies ahead. Together we will face the challenges and together we will work for the future of the company, its employees, and the entire group.