Innovation Meets Inclusion: Heesen Yachts Leads the Way

Based in Oss, Heesen Yachts is renowned for its expertise in designing, developing, and building exclusive yachts. As an organisation committed to innovation, Heesen also places a strong emphasis on creating an inclusive workplace.

A Commitment to Inclusive Employment
Maike Bonke, Manager Human Resources at Heesen Yachts, explains the company’s approach:
“We believe it’s essential for everyone to have the opportunity to participate in the job market. During an event on inclusive entrepreneurship, I connected with Hanneke, an Account Manager at IBN Production, through a mutual contact. This meeting sparked a partnership where we explored how we could collaborate effectively.”

Recognising the diversity of tasks within their organisation, Heesen identified opportunities to involve IBN employees through job carving—a practice of redistributing tasks to align with individual strengths. By critically analysing internal workflows, they discovered ways to make their workplace more inclusive while optimising efficiency.

IBN Employees Enrich the Heesen Team
Heesen began working with IBN employees through temporary placements, and the results have been promising. Since August, Teun has been contributing to the Interior Production department (Workshop), assisting with tasks such as packing.
“Teun enjoys his work at Heesen, and the team values him as a colleague,” says Bonke.

More recently, Margreet joined the company through IBN, taking on a vital role in the administration of the 5S rounds—a method designed to enhance workplace organisation and safety, particularly in the complex processes of building superyachts.
“Margreet records scores, explains her evaluations, and provides an additional layer of insight. By comparing her findings with internal records, we’re able to make meaningful improvements to the work environment in collaboration with supervisors, hall representatives, and employees,” Bonke explains.

This structured approach to improvement not only fosters a safe and organised workplace but also boosts job satisfaction and productivity.

Driving Change in a Dynamic Labor Market
The evolving labour market demands proactive solutions. By engaging IBN employees for specific tasks, Heesen enables its specialists to focus on areas requiring their expertise.
“At Heesen, we firmly believe in an inclusive job market where everyone has the opportunity to contribute. People with additional support needs bring valuable talents and a strong work ethic, provided they’re in an environment where they feel accepted and valued,” Bonke shares.

She adds: “By thinking differently as an employer, we can unlock possibilities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Inclusivity isn’t just good for employees—it’s good for business.”