Special
The most flexible magazine ever!
Snel Contents
CONTENTS in this issue...
Snel in 2015
04 05 06 08 10 14 16 18 24
Snel in figures Jan Snel Staff: Gert-Jan CSR report Ravel Residence, Amsterdam Interview with Max van der Wiel Ronald McDonald House, Utrecht Interview with Karin van der Aa Jan Snel Transport is on the right road AmstelHome, Amsterdam
Snel into 2016
12 22 26 28 30
Building flexibly across borders Refugee centres in D端sseldorf Miele sterilisation unit Earthquake-proof buildings This is why we do it!
Design and realisation: Trend advertising & consultants. Photography: Jos Drop, Arno Hoogwerf, Plaatwerk. Circulation: 4,500 This JNSNL Special was printed on 100% recycled FSC paper reducing its Carbon Footprint by miles and reducing its impact on the environment. As compensation a tree will be planted.
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Special
From a year full of surprises to a year of continuity
2015 brought us a lot of unexpected developments. In a wide range of industries, such as petrochemicals, offshore, education, refugee aid and health care, clients have suddenly begun to turn to us for permanent structures. It seems we even measure up to the very top when it comes to earthquake-proof construction! Our success has not been limited to Montfoort. From Hulst we are conquering the rest of Europe and, thanks to our motivated team in Bornem, we are being asked to conduct increasingly large and prestigious projects in Belgium too. At the same time, we realise that quality is not just something found in tangible products but also in the way we interact with our colleagues. It is for this reason that we keep working on internal communications and the support of people in the field. As for Jan Snel Transport... Fair’s fair, Jan Snel Jr’s decision took some getting used to. Fortunately though we have found a worthy successor who will keep our transport division operating at the right level. What will 2016 bring? Mainly continuity. We will be completing our first permanent homes and we have some superb projects lined up in Germany. There’s little doubt we will equal last year’s profits and we may even exceed them. All this is down to the flexible efforts of our fantastic workforce. We can send them anywhere and they will take on each project, turning the most challenging jobs into resounding successes which is something we can be proud of. Very proud. So once again we would like to take this opportunity to say, “Thank you all very much”. Harry and Jacqueline
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Snel in figures
The figures NO FEWER THAN 10,000 UNITS RENTED OUT IN 2015, 1,000 OF WHICH PRODUCED TO MEET GROWING DEMAND
Last year, sales reached 125 million euros and we are set to equal this in 2016 In 2015 we built 225,800 m2 of new living space, which is equal to 25 football pitches
Over the past year our teams have built 1,320 student flats in Amsterdam There is still a deficit of affordable housing for 9,000 students in the capital In 2016 we will be building at least 500 additional student flats
OUR EARTHQUAKE-PROOF SCHOOLS CAN WITHSTAND TREMORS MEASURING 4 ON THE RICHTER SCALE The Netherlands has to house tens of thousands of refugees We can supply 6 emergency accommodation units per day
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Jan Snel Staff
Gert-Jan Rademaker
Every day we see him in and around Jan Snel’s transhipment site. With more than 25 years of loyal service, Gert-Jan Rademaker (57), is one of Jan Snel’s old hands, so it’s high time we got to know him better. “In all, I’ve worked at Jan Snel for around 26.5 years, although I did have a short break, right back in the beginning when I spent a couple of years in catering. Right afterwards I came back and soon I will have been working here for 25 years on the trot. That is indeed quite a long time, although I am not the only one who has been working here for a very long time. The company is good for you, so why would you leave? As for the job itself, it has changed over the years. The rules are continually being tightened up and we have to pay more attention to safety and quality. My job is receiving materials, mainly different metals:
Jan Snel Staff Gert-Jan Rademaker More than 25 years of action at Jan Snel
copper, aluminium and brass. I use a crane to load it for transport to a foundry or for export to China or India. The customers want the product we supply to be as pure and as uncontaminated as possible so you have to be good at assessing its quality. The job involves a lot of sorting but with all my experience, I am able to do that quickly and precisely. Now I work in Transhipment. I used to work in the Loading and Unloading unit. The advantage is that if it gets busy elsewhere, I can easily help out. You have to remain flexible in this company!”
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CSR report CSR now and in the future
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t
Snel community
Building flexibly:
sustainability is ingrained A building that is flexibly adaptable, can be dismantled and moved elsewhere is by definition sustainable. Moreover, we design our buildings in such a way that their components can be reused at the end of their lifespan, or at the very least can be properly recycled. From the foundation piles to electronics, we already use approximately 75% of our buildings again. Our intention is to bring this up to 100%. At the same time we are constantly looking for new ways of optimising energy consumption within our buildings and units. They are economical, which is something our customers greatly appreciate.
From smart loading systems to - very simply but significantly - minimising levels of nuisance among those living near our building sites. All this is part of seriously addressing our corporate social responsibility. Respect for people Another key area is the way you treat your people. We respect everyone in our workforce and we make it clear to them how much we appreciate their efforts. We give them the opportunity to express their opinions, listen to their ideas and make actual use of their vision. We actively work on safety and health (both physical and mental!) and aim to strike a healthy balance between work and leisure time. Moreover we put a great deal of energy into developing individual employees, all the way from intern to manager.
Working sustainably Wherever possible we introduce all kinds of
Profit: not only in monetary terms
environmental measures for our own offices and
Let’s be honest, at the end of the day we have a duty
factories, such as proper insulation, a greywater
to serve our customers and make a profit. However,
system, geothermal heating, special skylights and
what we also want to make sure is that, in future,
economical LED lighting. Our transport division is
our children and our children’s children can enjoy
also continuously on the lookout for new ways of
everything that we accomplish today. And that would
operating more efficiently, economically and ethically.
be impossible without a clean and healthy planet.
read the complete CSR report at jansnel.com! magazine
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800 students housed
Snel in 2015
“I always wanted to build something that you can drive past.” “Ravel Residence is completely different from previous projects: steel and lift structures enclosed by an architectonic outer wall. A fully-fledged building comprising pre-fab units. Ravel Residence was our first major student housing project. For this reason we had to make quite a number of decisions during construction, despite sound preparations. Just before completion, I handed Ravel Residence over to colleagues because I was starting work on AmstelHome, another student building. This was built even more quickly because of the experience gained on Ravel Residence. Both projects were completed in record time and they look fantastic. They are really something to be proud of when driving past them and I’d like to build a few more in 2016.”
Ravel Residence, Amsterdam
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Jojan Verbeek (29) work planner on Ravel Residence
Snel in 2015
Flagship of 2015
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Snel in 2015
“What stands out? It is great!� Max van der Wiel (24), resident
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Snel in 2015
In October 2014, he read on internet about the construction of a new student complex called Ravel Residence. He put his name down at once and on 19 March 2015 he was able to move into his room. So, do you like it? “I had already been to have a look at the building with my father. We put our hard hats on and had
for a reasonable price. The rent
you might expect lots of noisy
a guided tour. It was nice to see
allowance means the net price
neighbours, but it is actually really
that everything was going accor-
is very affordable. It seems that
quiet with triple-glazed windows
ding to plan. You can see that they
when building the place they took
and great sound insulation. In
are pre-fab homes; just stacked
account of the subsidy regulations.
other words, the thing that stands
up units. But mad as it seems,
Everyone has their own meter
for me is... it’s great!”
I’ve never thought about them
cupboard which means they really
that way again because when
are individual flats.
you are inside, you don’t notice how they are built. It feels solid;
Every convenience
secure too, because there is always
There are lots of facilities such as a
someone at reception and a guard
lounge with pool table; we often
at night. It is a bit like a hotel.
spend time there. There are also two restaurants where you can
Cheap accommodation
get a full meal for a reasonable
First of all it all seemed too good
price. The cycle shed is absolutely
to be true because you get a nice
brilliant. It is covered and everyone
looking, brand new room with its
has their own spot. A temporary
own kitchen and sanitary facilities
building for 800 students... magazine
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Snel in Europe
Europe and Jan Snel
The unlimited benefits of building flexibly 12
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The future is in flexible and modular construction. We have been convinced of this for decades and more and more customers are coming round to our way of thinking. Over the past year we have built the two largest modular structures in Europe: Ravel Residence and AmstelHome in Amsterdam.
Snel in Europe
Norway Canada (Toronto)
Belgium
Canada (Whistler)
Germany
France Qatar
USA
Nigeria
The success of these luxury, semi-
housing development to accom-
on,” according to Monique Los
permanent student residences
modate refugees in Germany.
(European Sales Manager).
has also caught the attention
We are also in consultation about
Our commitment to service,
of people beyond our borders.
several projects in England, which
our sophisticated planning, the
Following various articles in
we hope to be able tell you more
flexibility of the product itself
international publications, we have
about in 2016.
and the people involved in its
been receiving more and more requests for information from potential customers abroad. Needless to say, European expansion requires careful planning and a well thought out strategy but we
“We are enterprising enough to grab any opportunities outside the Netherlands”
construction, the rigorous respect of deadlines... all these are matters that are valued as much abroad as they are here. We are convinced that if we continue to innovate and offer
are enterprising enough to grab any opportunities outside the
“Our experiences abroad have
the quality that people in the
Netherlands with both hands.
been very positive. Obviously we
Netherlands have come to expect
have to contend with local players,
from us, we can be assured of
We were already involved in
but we frequently collaborate
success in the rest of the world
various projects in Belgium and
with them too and this successful
too. We’ll keep you posted about
we are very busy with modular
approach appears to be catching
how things proceed! magazine
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A sick child close to its parents at all times
Snel in 2015
“I want to provide every customer with a good service, but this particular one was given special treatment.� When you look at a project like this one, for very sick children and their parents, you regard it in a less businesslike way than you do with regular housing. Obviously I want to provide every customer with a good service, but knowing that the Ronald McDonald House was being funded by money from sponsors, we tried to keep costs as tight as possible. We were also able to do something about the rent and we added a few extras here and there as a way of sponsoring the project. Besides, we were not the only ones as most of our subcontractors and suppliers decided to contribute something as well. All in all, it was a relatively simple project, but with a satisfying added social twist.
Ronald McDonald House, Utrecht
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Jos Drop, sales department member at Jan Snel
Snel in 2015
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Snel in 2015
“ Resolving waiting lists without tying us down.” Karin van der Aa, manager of Ronald McDonald House Utrecht
Utrecht is the location of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital. The Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ) is part of the University Medical Centre of Utrecht (UMC Utrecht). The WKZ focuses entirely on taking care of sick children. During the time their child is in hospital, parents can live in the Ronald McDonald House. We talked to Karin van der Aa about rising demand, waiting lists and the corporate commitment that predominates in projects like this one.
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Snel in 2015
Sponsor a kiss goodnight! A kiss goodnight, a cuddle, a story before bedtime: just when parents and children need one another most, such as when a child is in hospital, these are all invaluable. For more
it difficult to make any plans.
the official opening at the WKZ! It
information, see
For instance a new national
was a big project for us but the Jan
www.kinderfonds.nl.
hospital for children suffering
Snel people were obviously used
from cancer is to be built: the
to it. Furthermore, they helped us
Princess Máxima Centre. This
enormously with the financial side
could lead to additional demand
and helped sponsor the project.
for accommodation for parents.
The furniture was also partly paid
On the other hand, it is likely that
for by sponsors. It is always nice to
they will create their own space
see how professional companies
for parents so they might not need
act on their social commitment.
any help from us. On account of the uncertainty about future
At home in the Ronald
demand, we chose to go for a
McDonald House
temporary solution.
We are delighted with the new apartments and the most
Large project or routine job?
important thing is that the
At the end of 2014 we decided
parents feel at home there.
to build seven rooms. Some time
They can cook and wash and
“We had 25 rooms, but rising
in April we had all the permits we
they spend a lot of time in the
demand meant there was a
needed and we were able to start
communal kitchen. You can also
growing waiting list. First we
planning. Construction started
see that they get a lot of support
considered adding a wing or
at the end of September and in
from each other. It is a place where
another floor but a number of
mid-October, TV presenter Yvon
occasionally lifelong friendships are
developments in Utrecht made
Jaspers and a patient’s sister led
forged.” magazine
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Snel Transport
Jan Snel Transport is on the right road Everyone immediately associates Jan Snel with modular construction. That is not unusual because you see our buildings everywhere. What you do not see, though, is the contribution of the division that helps make our success possible: Jan Snel Transport. Together, the drivers, planners and other logistics professionals cover millions of kilometres to ensure the prompt and safe delivery and removal of building materials and technical equipment. In addition, they have a large share in transporting bulk materials for recycling. We made a conscious decision to conduct both of these activities ourselves so that we retain full control of the process. In this Special, we discuss several important developments at Jan Snel Transport.
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Snel Transport
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Snel Transport
Jan Snel Jr is taking on a
The DRIVE to do things
the Sector Institute Transport and
new challenge!
better
Logistics, and which concentrates
Last year we were confronted
In 2015 a survey revealed that with
on the sustainable employability of
by Jan Snel Jr’s decision to step
regard to the level of employee sa-
staff, focusing on physical fitness
down from the Jan Snel Board
tisfaction in our transport division,
and motivation so that the job
in order to go and look for a
some areas needed working on.
gets done as well as possible. In
new challenge. We are doing
As a family business you naturally
addition, we launched a coaching
everything to maintain the quality
want everyone to enjoy coming to
programme to improve communi-
of our transport company though.
work, so that was reason enough
cations within the company. As far
We have since appointed a very
for us to take action. One result
as ‘drive’ is concerned, there were
promising man to take Jan Snel
that emerged from the survey
no areas where it was lacking.
Transport forward into the future.
was that there was room for
It is going to take some getting
improvement in communications
A better mutual
used to, but we think we have
between the planners and drivers.
understanding
found a worthy successor. In any
A lot of drivers have worked for
The project has a long way to go
case, we respect Jan’s decision and
the company for decades and
but we have noticed that everyone
we are confident that everyone in
know what they are doing, so it
is being helpful. People from dif-
Transport will do their best to help
would be silly not to make full use
ferent departments have spoken
Jan Snel Transport’s new leader
of their experience and vision. We
to and - even more importantly
steer the right course.
launched the DRIVE project run by
- listened to one another, creating
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Snel Transport
“ Better communications will result in better mutual understanding.”
Young drivers grow at Jan Snel Jan Snel Transport is continuing to expand and innovate which means new drivers have to be trained. They are supervised by experienced people like Peter Slingerland, who has been a driver with Jan Snel for 37 years. Peter: “We load scrap metal for export. Pulling a container with 28 tons of metal that has been loaded by a crane is no picnic. I take new drivers along with me and show them the ropes. A lot of people find it hard to share what they know. They don’t have the
a better understanding for each
patience to explain things calmly and they often feel that the person
other’s point of view. One of the
they are teaching isn’t learning quickly enough. I am not like that at
drivers’ questions was whether the
all. I am happy to take the time to explain things properly. After all,
planning could be communicated
you can’t just send a young bloke out without proper training, can
to them earlier so they would
you? That would be dangerous. In our job small mistakes can have
know where they were up to and
major and even fatal consequences. If we make a mistake and
could give their feedback too. The
something goes wrong, an entire lorry and container might end
planners will do their best to give
up on its side. Trust me, you don’t want to be around for that.
drivers more opportunities to ask questions and make suggestions.
I think it is important that new people get the Jan Snel feeling.
Better communications will
Enjoying your job, cooperation and helping one another. Make a bit
definitely result in a better mutual
more effort and give a bit more service than the competition. I try
understanding and a smoother
and put that across to new colleagues too: Do it properly. Do it safely.
operation.
Or don’t do it at all.”
On the right road for 2016 DRIVE is a continuous process. Even away from the project, we consider it important that colleagues from different departments occasionally sit down together so that everyone pulls together in the same direction. We are very happy that everyone is at least prepared to work on communications whilst showing understanding and respect for one another. Our staff trust each other and they have confidence in the future, which suits our business culture. magazine
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Snel into 2016
Refugee centres in Düsseldorf and closer to home:
forty buildings for 1400 people in Unique combination: refugees and starters!
Germany was one of the first countries in Europe to make the generous decision to open its borders to refugees, in particular those fleeing Syria. This led to a huge influx of asylum seekers who would all need a roof over their heads once their refugee status had been established. In Düsseldorf, Jan Snel contributed to the temporary shelter by erecting emergency accommodation for 1200 to 1400 people. The project’s foreman is Timo de Wit (31).
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“These are pretty big jobs for us. Our factory in Montfoort was unable to cope with the growing number of contracts so we had to open two new temporary production sites in Swifterband
among the inhabitants. We built
and Raamsdonksveer. Needless to
one street opposite a retirement
say, we also had to take on more
home and another in a smart
skilled personnel. In total we built
residential area right up against
seven streets of five or six buildings
the back gardens of the existing
each, housing about 175 to 200
houses. There were various
people, plus an office, in around
reactions. Recently someone came
eight weeks. What was unusual
to the door with a suitcase full
is that unlike in the Netherlands,
of stuff and prepared to help.
where refugees are housed on
However we have also occasionally
land near small villages, Düsseldorf
been sworn at. The good thing is
houses them in the city itself,
that they can all be dismantled, so,
Snel into 2016
eight weeks
for example, one day, they may be used as student accommodation. We have nearly finished here in Düsseldorf but I expect we
“ The flow of refugees into Europe is not going to stop any time soon.”
will be given similar jobs in the
resident permit-holders’ homes
Netherlands in 2016. The flow of
for refugees who have been
refugees into Europe is not going
given a Dutch passport as well
to stop any time soon. The great
as for starters looking for their
thing is that we are also going to
first rented home, meeting rising
Timo de Wit,
build a more luxurious version as
demand in two markets.”
foreman on this project
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Speed in another dimension
Snel in 2015
AmstelHome, Amsterdam
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“When you see the speed of the operation, you can’t believe your eyes.” In 2015, Jan Snel put up two large student buildings containing 1320 homes. Peter Braamzeel is the Site Manager for the buildings and oversees seven house masters. Peter is impressed by the speed with which we built. “It’s a great way of building. I paid close attention to what was going on at AmstelHome. From my office I could watch it grow from the first pile to the final flat - 30 flats a week. The speed at which they operate... unbelievable! The students are delighted and people come from all over the world to have a look at this extraordinary system of student housing. In 2016 we are going to build an additional 400 student flats in Amsterdam. Marvellous.” Peter Braamzeel, site manager AmstelHome and Ravel Residence
Snel in 2015
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Snel looks ahead
Sterile innovation with Miele proves to be highly
Opportunity for 2016
fruitful business The regional hospital, Heilig Hart, in the Belgium town of Tienen needed to refurbish its sterilisation chambers. Without sterilisation there can be no operations, but outsourcing proved too expensive. Miele, known for its washing machines but also a supplier of sterilisation equipment, came up with the solution: a temporary sterilisation unit. Miele provided the equipment and know-how and they asked Jan Snel to design the building.
Our project manager, Michael
air pressure so clean air can escape
for example, from airports and
Blom, explains: “Sterilisation is
but contaminated air can never
transhipment companies that
a specialised job. The temporary
get in. In addition we had to put
need to sterilise goods coming
building has different zones known
provisions in place for installing
in from abroad. Then there are
as ‘dirty’, ‘clean’ and ‘sterile’ that
equipment used to clean and
other hospitals of course, because
need to be kept strictly separated.
sterilise medical appliances. All this
there comes a time when every
You have to think about issues
makes this kind of building a lot
sterilisation department needs to
such as drag-in contamination,
more complicated that the average
be refurbished or renovated. Now
changing facilities and a seamless
site hut or temporary housing unit.
we are able to erect a complete
finish. Then there is climate
The temporary sterilisation unit
department within a few weeks,
control to consider, because sterile
is a huge success. We are seeing
on the car park if necessary, like
chambers have a slightly positive
interest from home and abroad;
we did in Tienen.
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“ We are able to erect a complete department within a few weeks� Michael Blom, project manager at Jan Snel
Fine work ahead Our intention is to take on the complete construction and rental of sterilisation chambers ourselves. We would expect this to result in at least two or three large orders for 2016. So, there is clearly still fine work ahead for Jan Snel! As this JNSNL Special appears the unit is already being used at its next address in Switzerland. magazine
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Snel into 2016
“A temporary, earthquakeproof school completed in just eight weeks” Barry Dolk
BUILDING TODAY,
according to Richter guidelines 28
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Snel into 2016
tremors caused by gas extraction
sideways shock absorber.
meant a number of schools had
This method of separating the
to be structurally reinforced. For
building from the movement of
this reason a temporary, safe
the ground through its foundations
school was required as a matter of
is called Base Isolation. In addition,
urgency. Jan Snel got the job and
special expansion joints in the
started work immediately. Just eight
building make sure that certain
weeks later, the first temporary,
sections are able to move freely
earthquake-proof school (3,465 m )
without putting pressure on other
in the Netherlands opened its doors
sections of the building. Base
in Loppersum.
Isolation at its very best.
2
Existing units in a
A shock-resistant partnership
tailor-made jacket
The speed at which our people
A modular building can withstand
have developed and applied
earthquakes better than an
new, innovative techniques has
ordinary house because units
convinced NAM of Jan Snel’s power
already inherently have a stiff
as a partner. This holds promise for
structure (comparable to a roll
the years ahead. There are many
cage in a rally car). Earthquakes
more plans in the region for the
have been occurring abroad for
construction of earthquake-proof
much longer. It is for this reason
schools, banks, sports facilities and
that we have held talks
homes. It will not come as a surprise
We thought that our ample
with seismologists and other
to anyone that we will be working
experience meant we were familiar
specialists abroad in order to share
together frequently in the future.
with all standards and guidelines.
experiences regarding earthquake-
We have signed a contract with
However, we had never had to take
resistant construction. A special
NAM to erect earthquake-proof
account of the Richter scale before.
team came up with a system of
temporary buildings for three years.
This changed when NAM started
sliding rubber and steel blocks that
constructing earthquake-proof
absorb the horizontal movements
buildings in Groningen. Earth
of an earthquake like a sort of magazine
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Snel is doing it
We’re doing it! This is why we do it!
Families
Families
Nursing Nursing Office staff 30
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Snel is doing it
Refugees Refugees
School child School children
Students
Building stasta Building We wish you and them all the best for 2016 magazine
31
Willeskop 94 3417 ME Montfoort - P.O. Box 200 3417 ZL Montfoort, The Netherlands Tel +31 (0)348 47 37 41 Fax +31 (0)348 47 90 51 Mail info@jansnel.com Web www.jansnel.com