Patrick Harink, sales manager for the Netherlands at Ostermann

'The development in decorative board material has brought us much good.

Patrick Harink, 51, has been with Ostermann as sales manager for 28 years. "I've always had this role," he says. "But of course things have changed in those 28 years. When I started here in 1996, we had eight plastic edges in 2 and even 3 mm thick. Now the number of colors, decors and sizes runs into the thousands. And new ones are added almost daily. Over the years, everything in interior construction has also become individual, with choices in color and design."

Patrick explains that the development in decorative board material has obviously brought a lot of good things to Ostermann. "We benefit from it. But it hasn't made the work any easier. For example, I myself have a lot of contact with headquarters in Bocholt, in Germany. It is my job to indicate exactly what we need in the Netherlands. I don't make that up myself, of course. We respond to questions from our customers and have contact with the plate dealers in the Netherlands. Both send us samples of new colors, decors, textures in the market. And we as Ostermann then have to make sure that we can start supplying the appropriate edgebanding."

Needless to say, Patrick also always has his eyes on the future. "I follow trends to proactively gather information. For example, in the coming years we expect uni colors to have a bigger place. Think more pastels, or something softer and warmer. At the same time, I think the whole thing will be a little less frivolous. And, not unimportantly, the pursuit of sustainability was already a high priority for us, but it's going to become even more important. We are paying close attention to the way we package, to give just one example. No plastic but cardboard. We pick orders digitally. To work as efficiently as possible, our entire logistics is fully automated in processes."

Talking about the added value of Ostermann as a wholesaler for the kitchen, furniture and interior design industries: "Every inquiry, quotation, order and invoice costs time and therefore money, costs that everyone has but hardly anyone takes into account when purchasing and comparing prices. That's where the biggest cost for every company in our industry is, in terms of hours worked. These hours can be saved by ordering as many items as possible for a project from one supplier. And let us OSTERMANN be the perfect partner in that - in service, variety and pace all from one supplier - from professionals for professionals."

In edition 4 of Binnenwerk, we portrayed Jeroen Prins, key account manager at Ostermann and in edition 3 was Jochem Hofstede product specialist fittings and drawers in the spotlight.  

About Ostermann
With service, variety and speed, OSTERMANN in Nijverdal is the specialist dealer for kitchen, furniture and interior construction. In addition to Europe's largest range of edgings available from stock, you will also find furniture fittings by HETTICH and GRASS, furniture lighting, handles or innovative design surfaces and decorative wall coverings. Customers will also find an extensive range of adhesives and cleaning agents. Furthermore, OSTERMANN offers numerous different services and processing, such as supplying edges by the meter or edges suitable for processing with zero joint technology. But, that is by no means all: the comprehensive service also includes the ready-made production of various furniture elements, such as sliding doors, aluminum frames, furniture fronts or drawers made to measure.