<p>The family-owned company Rinos from Genemuiden is looking forward to a special year. In 2025, the company will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and the fifth generation will take over the reins. Rinos was one of the first manufacturers to produce coir mats mechanically. Now, a century later, Rinos is the only remaining manufacturer of coir mats in Europe, with their entrance mats and coir mats being shipped all over the world. Future-proof entrepreneurship and sustainability are deeply embedded in Rinos' DNA. To take further steps in this area, they reached out to Kennispoort Regio Zwolle and completed an <a href="https://boostsmartindustry.nl/nieuws/edih-samenwerking-krachten-bundelen-om-regionaal-mkb-te-ondersteunen-bij-digitalisering" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">EDIH</a> assessment.</p><h2>Continuing to Innovate</h2><p>Since 1925, Rinos has been developing and producing coir entrance mats and dirt-trapping carpets. As a specialist, they supply high-quality mats to wholesalers, distributors, and premium carpet brands worldwide. These products find their way to offices, shops, hotels, museums, hospitals, and project furnishers.</p><p>“Every mat may look the same, but there are major differences – for example, in moisture and dirt absorption,” says Maarten Haagsma, Manager of Technology, Process Innovation, and Quality at Rinos. “We conduct internal research, innovate continuously, and implement improvements once they’ve been proven to work.”</p><h2>Future-Proof Entrepreneurship</h2><p>Rinos is fully focused on the future. Haagsma explains: “Innovation is in our genes, but you cannot force it. It requires a lot of time, and you never know in advance whether it will pay off.”</p><p>This drive for innovation has already led to several product breakthroughs, such as HydroTX™, a textile technology that absorbs up to three times more moisture in the first few steps than conventional mats. Another example is Pura Backing™, Rinos' current answer to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions.</p><p>“What’s important when innovating for the future is that you stay true to yourself. You need a long-term vision, one that you share with others, and you have to be persistent as a company,” says Haagsma.</p><h2>Vouchers Support Ambitious Goals</h2><p>A new generation also brings new ideas. Haagsma continues: “We are highly ambitious, but we can’t realize everything ourselves. We don’t always have the resources or knowledge in-house, which is why we looked for initiatives that could support us.”</p><p>Rinos applied for the digitization voucher and the circularity voucher from the Province of Overijssel. These vouchers enable them to apply for up to €20,000 in subsidies to hire external expertise.</p><p>“We face several challenges. In our industry, new materials and plastics are often cheaper than sustainable and recycled materials. Unfortunately, that higher price is not something many of our customers are willing to pay,” explains Haagsma. With the help of these vouchers, Rinos is commissioning research and seeking collaboration with universities. “The aim of this research is to achieve proof of principle for a new material suitable for use in our coir mats.” In addition, they use the voucher for an EDIH assessment.</p><h2>Working on Digitalization and Circularity</h2><p>“We have big ambitions, but we are looking for focus and external insights. That was one of the reasons why we decided to do an EDIH Smart Industry assessment,” says Haagsma.</p><p>Ilona Koomen, Innovation Advisor at Kennispoort, conducted this assessment together with a colleague. Koomen explains: “Based on our conversations and the results of the assessment, we provided recommendations and practical tools within three smart industry themes: Working Environment &amp; HR Policy, Process Control &amp; Quality Management, and Performance Monitoring. We also delved deeper into circular and sustainable entrepreneurship.”</p><p>For the assessment, Rinos deliberately involved not only management but also employees from across the organization. Haagsma explains: “This way, we got the broadest possible picture of where we stand and where we want to go. The assessment really helped us gain insight and focus. Now we know what to work on.”</p><h2>The Support of Kennispoort</h2><p>The discussions with Kennispoort’s advisors have helped Rinos sharpen its focus. Regular contact allows Kennispoort to provide even more support. Haagsma says: “It’s very valuable for us to spar with these advisors. They look at our challenges with a fresh perspective.”</p><p>For example, Kennispoort suggested contacting MoveDigi to explore how students from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences could support them in digitalization projects. Kennispoort also introduced Rinos to VEPA from Hoogeveen, a frontrunner in sustainable furniture. “These connections and the network that Kennispoort shares with us are extremely valuable,” concludes Haagsma.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Ambitious family business Rinos is innovative and fully committed to circular entrepreneurship