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Gpi celebrates 30th anniversary
Anniversary celebration in honor of 30 years of Gpi Tanks and over 150 years of combined craftsmanship across all companies.
As per tradition, Gpi celebrates its anniversary with a grand event every five years. On November 2nd and 3rd, colleagues were treated to a special celebration by the CEOs. Over 200 colleagues and partners were invited for a surprise weekend. Only the final destination, Bonn, was revealed; the rest remained a surprise.
At 8:30 AM, everyone was expected in Lopik or Gouda (NL). After a cup of coffee with a special anniversary treat, colleagues boarded the bus to Germany with great anticipation. After the first stop, we had created a new Gpi cheer and set off for the next mysterious destination. There, we enjoyed an elaborate lunch in an authentic German brewery, complete with a lively pubquiz.
Highlight
The highlight of the day was our stay at the grandhotel on the Petersberg, with its stunning panoramic view over Bonn. The evening celebration at this location began with a delicious three-course dinner, followed by a spectacular performance by the CEOs, dressed as The Blues Brothers, singing ‘We Need You, You, You.’ Afterward, the dance hall opened, and we danced into the early hours to song requests played by the band and the DJ. The next morning, we reminisced during a relaxing boat trip along the Rhine before heading home.
'It has now become a tradition for us to do something special every five years to celebrate our anniversary'
Anniversary celebration
Co-CEO Arno Rodenburg talks about organizing the anniversary celebration: ‘It has now become a tradition for us to do something special every five years to celebrate our anniversary. It’s not so much about the 30 years, but it’s a great opportunity to celebrate together that we’ve achieved something special over the past years, especially with our new colleagues joining us. For us, this is a way to show our appreciation to our people.’
Craftsmanship since 1946
This year marks not only the 30th anniversary of Gpi Tanks, but also 150 years of craftsmanship and success from the various companies combined. The roots of Gpi de Gouwe, for example, lie in Machinehandel De Gouwe, which has been providing expertise in the field since 1946. Co-CEO Fred Boere explains: ‘Together, we have over 150 years of craftsmanship within Gpi. We are proud of that.’
Growth
Fred joined Gpi 28 years ago. He started as a work preparer but quickly saw more opportunities and took on responsibility. Fred explains: ‘It’s great to see how many people have grown alongside the organization. They show their dedication and take responsibility. We see the entire organization becoming more professional and continuing to grow.’
Beyond expectations
When co-CEO Arno Rodenburg started at Gpi 25 years ago, he never expected to be where he is now. With pride, he shares: ‘As employee number 12, I started here in my overalls and work gloves, welding. 25 years later, I’m at the helm of the company. I never focused on reaching this position, but it’s amazing to experience such personal growth. We see many people within the company going through the same development, and that’s fantastic to witness.’
Milestones
With enthusiasm, the CEOs reflect on the past. Fred explains: ‘The past years have been very special, especially the last five. So much has happened, and we’ve achieved a lot. We have a company to be proud of.’ Arno adds: ‘We’ve worked hard, but also had a lot of fun. We’ve experienced so much together, and I see colleagues talking about their work with passion, which gives me great satisfaction. Additionally, I’m proud that throughout all these years at Gpi, we’ve had no major incidents.’
Future
Fred sees Gpi continuing to develop in the coming years: ‘In recent years, we’ve grown significantly and have become a true European player. We want to remain progressive, investing in technology, people, and resources.’ Arno adds: ‘In the coming years, we want to continue growing and remain a leader in the industry. We see Gpi as a global player for other global players. Our customers operate at the highest level, and we want to stay aligned with that.’
What will the anniversary celebration look like in five years? Arno laughs: ‘This year, it wasn’t easy to come up with something for such a large group! If we continue to grow and have even more colleagues, it will be quite a challenge… but we’ll take on that challenge again in five years!’
