At DUCAJU® every detail matters
Making products shine - that' s ducaju's mission in a nutshell. The company develops and produces tailor-made packaging and presentation solutions, from boxes and displays to binders. And all of this comes in cardboard. Humans and the environment are considered of paramount importance here. Hence the choice of various AQUALEX drinking water systems, both at the headquarters in Erpe-Mere and at the site in Meulebeke.
Share on
We are welcomed to the headquarters in Erpe-Mere, a new building that was operational from 2019. In the experience room, marketing manager Katrien Formesyn introduces us to the wonderful world of cardboard. Each creation is even more impressive than the other. The number of finished products is also spectacular: no fewer than 275 million pieces rolled off the assembly line here in 2021.
European Carton Excellence Award
"This is a real family business," says Katrien. "The business was launched in 1729 as a printing shop for social stationers, such as wedding letters and communion cards. In the 90s, the switch was made to packaging. Our current CEO took over the business in 2001, as a member of the 9th generation." After merging in 2018 with Meulebeek-based BDMO, focusing on luxury packaging, a total of almost 200 people are employed here, split roughly 50-50. Everything is done in Erpe-Mere and in Meulebeke: from design and development to production and finishing.
9 out of 10 boxes produced here are destined for the food sector. "In the context of food safety, we work with special inks and adhesives. In other areas too, everything really needs to be spot on from A to Z. We are therefore very proud of our BRC label, where we were awarded the AA+ score with the site at Erpe-Mere." This attention to detail is also reflected in the end products. It is therefore no surprise that DUCAJU® recently won the audience award at the European Carton Excellence Award ceremony, for a stunning advent calendar for La Maison du Chocolat. "This calendar is a beautiful blend of creativity and technical design. It is the result of a close collaboration between our sales and design team and the customer," she says enthusiastically.
From soda machine to water coolers
There used to be only a soda machine here. "But we also wanted to provide our employees with water. That's how we ended up with AQUALEX in 2017. Two freestanding machines were subsequently installed in the production department. Since we noticed that they really added value, we also decided to use AQUALEX taps for the new office buildings. There is a Twin Touchpad in the coffee corner and one in the experience room, where we receive our customers. It is very convenient that you can tap both sparkling, still and chilled water. Everyone starting with us receives a personalised drinking bottle, with our logo and his or her name." Because the tap water coolers and taps are so popular, DUCAJU® decided to also provide them in the new building in Meulebeke, which was commissioned in early 2022. There are four separate appliances and a designer tap from AQUALEX.
DUCAJU®'s strong commitment to the well-being of its employees is an important element in the employer branding of the company. The choice of drinking water systems naturally also fits in with ducaju's sustainability policy. For example, it uses recyclable and recycled cardboard, recovers heat from the production process and had 3,771 solar panels installed. " In fact, we notice that sustainability is a theme that also concerns our customers. Plastic inlays in boxes are increasingly being replaced by cardboard," says Katrien.
She also appreciates the drive of the AQUALEX team. "The employees are doing more than just selling and executing: they are committed and really think along with us. They meet their agreements and if there is ever a problem, it is solved quickly. The same approach is applied by ourselves. I love working with young, ambitious people."
Are you interested in a drinking water system for your company?
