We sat down with Irma Penningnieuwland to reflect on her 39 years at Stahl.
Stahl is fortunate to have employees who have been with the company for decades. With such a wealth of experience, our long-serving colleagues have seen Stahl through from the dawn of the digital age to our new brand and purpose. So, what do they think about Stahl and how it has changed? We caught up with one of them to find out.
Irma Penningnieuwland
Irma joined Stahl in 1985. She is currently Test Laboratory Technician, based at our site in Waalwijk, the Netherlands. We sat down with her to reflect on her happy memories and recollections of all the positive changes over the years.
Irma, what has made Stahl a special place to work over the years?
‘I started out as the only woman in our department’, Irma begins.
‘I’ve always felt valued, which has made Stahl a special workplace for me. However, I’m pleased to say that we now share the workspace with many more women. As our workplace has become more balanced, it’s grown too – a win-win situation. I started out at Stahl in a very small lab. And it’s grown into one of the largest labs in the company!’
In 2023, Stahl launched its new purpose 'Touching lives, for a better world'. How does the purpose inspire you and your work at Stahl?
Irma appreciates how the values she lives by in her own life extend to Stahl’s purpose too. Reflecting on her own approach to sustainability, she says, ‘I always tried to do what I can to build a better world.’
‘Nowadays I’m trying even harder. I pay of lot of attention to how I can live more sustainably, usually by being careful about what I use and consume.’
‘I see Stahl adapting its continuity products across more and more areas – think of the Stahl NuVera® range of renewable carbon coating components.’
‘It’s not just the sustainability efforts that I appreciate at Stahl. The annual volunteer day was excellent. It was lovely to see people with smiles on their faces!’
Along with our new purpose, we have a refreshed logo and brand identity. What were your first impressions of it?
‘A nice surprise!’, says Irma. ‘Any change requires a period of adjustment – and the new logo has really grown on me.’
‘It feels refreshing, new and more contemporary. It expresses the ambition of our new purpose!’
‘I associated the previous logo with our leather heritage. As we are now much more than a leather company, the new logo should say more about all the different things we do.’
Indeed, Stahl’s remit has widened from its early days in Peabody, Massachusetts, USA. So what has Stahl meant to you since you started working here?
‘Stahl is part of my life’, says Irma. ‘When I see our logo in a customer’s factory, I think, “Yes, this is who I work for and I’m proud of it.”’
Have you seen any changes in how Stahl presents itself to the world?
‘In the past’, she recounts, ‘Stahl marketed itself mostly at trade fairs like the Semaine du Cuir in Paris. These days, of course, everything is done online. It means we can reach more people in many more companies.’
Finally, a look to the future: in 2030, Stahl will celebrate its centenary. What do you think are the main priorities for the company and its people going forward?
Irma’s advice emphasises the power of a team. She says: ‘We can make our business thrive by working together. And we take care of our team by creating an enjoyable working environment where we all feel valued’.
Irma has seen both continuity and progress in Stahl’s development over the years. It is thanks to hardworking colleagues like her that we have grown from a leather finishing company in Peabody, Massachusetts, USA to a global leader in flexible substrate coatings. Our future lies in the range of bio-based and more sustainable products that we are developing – something that Irma is clearly passionate about. We are proud that colleagues like Irma, who are so much a part of our past and present, are embracing our new purpose and propelling us into the future.
Want to hear more stories from the Stahl team?
- Our brand evolution as seen by long-term colleague – Erik Wassink
- Our brand evolution as seen by long-term colleague – René Maas
- Our Brand Evolution as seen by long-term colleague – Annelies Janssen-van Drunen
- Meet Yoo Keng Lim
- Meet Montse Pous: Committed to building on a culture of excellence
- Meet Tracy Lou
Looking to join the Stahl team? Check out our vacancies.