Success Stories

What may be a temporary or sporadic challenge for you, is ‘core business’ to us. You can count on experienced professionals with the right background and knowledge to support you in the best possible way. We feel involved and think proactively. We have experience with all of the mentioned HR services and more. For specific assignments in which we can't support you, we would like to help you find a third party who can. Our goal is to support you in any capacity.

Are you interested in more information about one of our services? Or could you use some help with a certain challenge? Feel free to contact our colleagues.

Approba as RPO Partner for Chemelot Site-Wide Operator Recruitment Program

Approba was proud to have been selected as the exclusive Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) partner for the Chemelot Industrial Site and its site users in the successful recruitment campaign for future Process Operators.

Over a two-year period, Approba was responsible for the complete recruitment operation for the Chemelot Work-Education Program — a strategic initiative aimed at attracting, assessing, and training new talent for the chemical industry. In close collaboration with CHILL (Chemelot Innovation & Learning Labs) and Vista College, we helped set up the training infrastructure to upskill aspiring operators.

Our responsibilities included:

• Designing the recruitment funnel and candidate journey
• Developing and executing all marketing and communication materials
• Managing dedicated websites and online platforms
• Handling all administrative processes
• Conducting interviews, assessments, and screenings
• Organizing expert interview panels with professionals from leading site users

These site users included companies such as Fibrant, AQore, Arlanxeo, SABIC, DSM Engineering Materials, Borealis, OCI, and others.

The outcome: over 120 motivated and qualified candidates were successfully recruited and contracted for the operator training program — reinforcing the technical talent pipeline at one of Europe’s leading chemical industrial hubs.

This project demonstrated Approba’s strength as a strategic RPO partner, capable of managing complex, multi-stakeholder recruitment projects and delivering measurable impact for the industry.

Tessenderlo Kerley Netherlands – Building a Complete Operations Team in Record Time

When Tessenderlo Kerley Netherlands opened a brand-new plant in Geleen, they turned to Approba to staff the entire operations team from scratch. Within just six months, Approba successfully recruited and onboarded all key personnel, including field operators, control room operators/shift leaders, a Production Manager and a Tank Terminal Coordinator. This comprehensive effort ensured that the plant launched on schedule, fully staffed with high-quality professionals aligned with the company’s operational and safety culture.

Fibrant – Long-Term Recruitment Partnership for 40+ Technical Roles

Fibrant, a major player in the chemical industry, engaged Approba in a long-term recruitment project to fulfill over 40 roles, ranging from field and control room operators to operations experts and production managers. By deploying a combination of targeted sourcing, headhunting, and in-depth industry knowledge, Approba ensured a continuous inflow of qualified candidates in a tight labor market—helping Fibrant maintain stable operations and drive long-term performance.

Arion – Strategic Assessments Across National and International Teams

For Arion, an innovative healthcare company, Approba provided ongoing candidate and personnel assessments for both its Dutch headquarters and international branches. These assessments supported well-informed hiring decisions and internal development planning, ensuring that talent matched the company’s strategic objectives and cultural fit. The result: stronger team dynamics, higher retention, and improved performance across borders.

Iowa Fertilizer Company – Executive Search for Multiple Director-Level Positions

In one of its most high-level recruitment projects, Approba executed the search and placement of multiple director positions at Iowa Fertilizer Company. Most of these roles were filled through discreet headhunting, targeting seasoned professionals with deep domain expertise and proven leadership. The success of these placements played a critical role in solidifying the company’s leadership structure during the brown and green field transformative growth phases.

Brunei Fertilizer Industries – Appointing a Site Project Director

When Brunei Fertilizer Industries needed a Site Project Director to lead a complex, large-scale project in Southeast Asia, they turned to Approba. Within a demanding international context, Approba identified and secured a highly qualified professional with both technical know-how and the cross-cultural management skills necessary to succeed. The director's onboarding marked a key milestone in the project’s progress.

For a Market Leader in Glass Enamel Technology - Global IT Director

Approba played a key role in filling the Global IT Director position at the world's most advanced glass enamel manufacturer. By understanding the unique intersection of IT leadership and high-tech manufacturing, Approba secured a visionary leader who has drawn up the new IT landscape and implemented Dynamics 365, and driving digital transformation and innovation at a global level.

Engineering & Technical Experts – Supporting Global Infrastructure & Sustainability

Approba has supplied a wide range of technical experts to international clients, including:

• Wastewater engineers and corrosion specialists for communal and industrial projects
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) engineers for global preventive maintenance and inspection programs
• Waste Water Technology experts for advanced environmental solutions.

This expertise has contributed to mission-critical projects in both traditional and green industry sectors.

Sales Managers – Bridging the Gap Between Legacy Industry and Green Innovation

Approba has recruited multiple Sales Managers for both established chemical companies and innovative ventures in sustainability and low-carbon solutions. These roles demanded a unique combination of technical product knowledge, commercial savvy, and future-focused thinking—qualities Approba consistently delivers through its talent network and sector-specific insight.

Approba’s Strategic Shift: From Tradition to Transformation

Approba, long known for its deep roots in the traditional chemical industry, has made a deliberate move toward a more balanced focus. While continuing to serve established players, Approba now actively supports clients in upcycling, recycling, green hydrogen, ammonia, and other low-carbon initiatives.

By blending industry heritage with future-facing expertise, Approba connects technical and executive talent to both proven operations and pioneering green projects—helping shape a more sustainable industrial future, both local at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus and Chemelot Industrial site: Ioniqa, Deep Branch/Aerbio, Healix in Maastricht, and internationally at clients like B4Plastics in Belgium, Fertiberia in Spain, A-Gas Ltd in the UK and Netherlands, Safco in Saudi Arabia, Integer Research in the UK, BayWa in Germany, and Solex Thermal Science in Canada.