The future of Aquinos Bedding Netherlands, the mattress factory in Kesteren, is extremely uncertain. For two months now, production has completely stopped and 140 employees have been forced to sit at home. Trade union FNV is sounding the alarm and is now preparing a bankruptcy petition. "It is debilitating for the staff," states FNV executive Yolanda Reus in an interview with daily newspaper De Gelderlander. According to her, things have been unsettled at the company, which specialises in foam production for mattresses and furniture, since January. The market has been struggling since the corona pandemic, and that blow has hit Kesteren extra hard, reports the newspaper.
© Bas Geurts
The problems started with signals of faltering production. Meanwhile, the entire factory has been shut down, there is no money left to buy raw materials and salaries are paid ever later. Holiday pay has not even been transferred at all. "In April wages came two weeks late, last month already three weeks," an employee told De Gelderlander.
The Works Council confirms that the order book has shrunk to the extent that there are no more resources to keep the production process running. And that affects Aquinos' entire network in Europe. "As soon as there is a hitch here, branches in Belgium, Poland, Switzerland and Germany feel it immediately," says a Works Council member.
No insight into the cause
Although the management of the Kesteren plant acknowledges the problems, there is "no insight into the cause", according to an executive. Aquinos Bedding's head office is based in Portugal, where decision-making takes place. Attempts by the editors of De Gelderlander to ask the parent company for clarification remain unanswered so far.
Whereas FNV can normally threaten to take action, that now appears futile. "A strike is no pressure tool if work is already not being done," said Reus. "Then, as a union, you are actually funding a walkout."
In consultation with the Works Council, FNV has therefore started a preliminary investigation into possible mismanagement, while a formal bankruptcy petition is also being prepared. Should it come to this, the UWV will take over wage payments. "This is the only way we can still secure something of the holiday pay," Reus said. Yet she hopes for a different outcome: "The staff want nothing more than to get back to work today."
90 years of history falter
The Kesteren factory has been a household name in the region for decades. In a LinkedIn post, process technologist Jessica Grootveld looks back on better times: "Chemicals used to come by rail, later by tanker. This was followed by cutting, assembling and transporting mattresses. Many worked here with pride and dedication." Since 2022, the plant has been owned by a Portuguese owner. Now, after 90 years, a final end is looming.
Online reactions are numerous and telling. Former employees speak with melancholy of "a great time", "fine colleagues" and a workplace "with a lot of potential". Some hope for a relaunch. Pascal Mannekens of Bedking - Ergopolis reveals that no final decision has yet been taken within Aquinos' European production units. "In the short term there will be a definite decision," Mannekens said.
Concern and hope dominate
Former employees such as Patrick Peters and Marina Roelfina Hermina also share their grief. "Too bad it has to go this way," they sound again and again. Others, such as Rob Willemsen and Ted Witteveen, wish the current employees mostly strength. Niko Saris sums up the feeling: "So much history, so many human lives attached to this company. Hopefully something good will still come out of it, for everyone who has put their heart and soul into it."
There has been no production for two months.
Belgium
In Belgium, Aquinos Bedding Belgium was recently acquired by Somnis Bedding. The acquisition came at a crucial time for the Belgian bedding industry. Aquinos Bedding Belgium, founded in June 2021 and based in Geraardsbergen, grew into a major player in the market in a short time. With a turnover of over 57 million euros and more than 200 employees, it was among the top players in the furniture retail sector in Belgium. The future of the Beka® and Lattoflex brands, and the retention of staff, were therefore high on the Belgian agenda.
Sources: De Gelderlander, LinkedIn