Everyday choices reveal how you work
At our office in Dordrecht, the day begins just like at many other companies. Colleagues arrive, the coffee is ready, and we go over the day’s schedule. That may seem obvious, but it’s precisely these daily routines that need to run smoothly.
SERIS has made a conscious decision to build this foundation in collaboration with local businesses. We source our coffee, cleaning services, and marketing support from regional partners, among other things. Not because it sounds good, but because it aligns with our business objectives: practical, predictable, and focused on continuity.
At SERIS, local procurement isn’t just a one-off initiative or a policy rule. It’s a consistent choice. We deliberately reinvest the revenue we generate here back into the region.
Working regionally means investing regionally
SERIS has been operating in Dordrecht and the Drechtsteden region for over 100 years. Many of our clients are based here, and a large number of our employees live and work in this area. The reality is clear: a significant portion of our revenue comes from the very region where we operate on a daily basis.
We believe it makes sense not only to generate that value but also to reinvest it in the regional economy. By partnering with local businesses, purchasing power continues to circulate within the Drechtsteden region. This contributes to strong local businesses, job creation, and a stable economic foundation.
Smart Delta Drechtsteden as the substantive context
That idea aligns with what Smart Delta Drechtsteden stands for. Eight municipalities working together to build a stronger region for over 300,000 residents. Not through isolated initiatives, but by connecting businesses, education, and government. We recognize that approach. Centuries of working together against the water have fostered a culture here of taking action, connecting, and seeking better solutions. SERIS feels right at home in that environment.
What local procurement means for SERIS
At SERIS, sourcing locally does not mean that proximity is more important than quality. Craftsmanship, reliability, and professionalism are always prerequisites. If a supplier fails to meet these standards, they are not a good fit, regardless of where they are located.
What it does mean is that we deliberately choose a partner from the region. Not out of sentiment, but out of experience. In our day-to-day work, things don’t always go according to plan. A delivery might change, an urgent request might come in, or a situation might require quick coordination. That’s when working with partners who know our organization and take responsibility really pays off.
In the security industry, clarity is essential—not only for our clients, but also internally. That is why we deliberately choose to work with regional partners.
Three regional partnerships and their value to SERIS
These choices are clearly reflected in the way we work together every day.
Webmyday – marketing support
Communication in the security sector isn’t easy. What we say and what we don’t say are equally important. Webmyday understands that. Not because we have to explain it every time, but because they know our industry and understand how we work. A proposal they send usually captures exactly what we mean. No lengthy rounds of revisions, no explanations you have to repeat three times. Just a strong partner who gets it and is there when needed.
Van Ooijen – Office Cleaning
Every day, our security guards ensure that people can work safely at our clients’ sites. The same principle applies within our own office. Safety starts with a clean and healthy work environment, which is exactly why we’ve been working with Van Ooijen in Dordrecht for years.
What makes this partnership unique is that we have deliberately chosen daily cleaning. Not because it’s cheaper, but because it makes a difference. The cleaning staff member is present during the day, among the colleagues, visible and approachable. She knows the office, she knows the colleagues, and the colleagues know her. Taking cleaning out of anonymity may sound like a small choice, but it makes a big difference. She isn’t just a face you occasionally see; she’s simply part of our team.
KoffiePartners – our go-to coffee supplier
Our coffee comes from KoffiePartners in Zwijndrecht, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Colleagues who used to work from home a lot now regularly choose to come into the office. Not because they have to, but because the coffee is just really good now. That presence makes a difference. We see each other more, talk to each other more, and questions that would otherwise be handled via email are simply taken care of on the spot. Engagement doesn’t happen during a video call. It grows when colleagues meet in person. Good coffee helps with that more than you might think.
Regional cooperation in practice
Working with regional partners sometimes means that processes are less standardized than those of large, national providers. This requires consultation and clear agreements.
We believe this is justifiable because we consider the overall value of a partnership. In practice, reliability, predictability, and the ability to resolve issues quickly carry more weight than a minimal price advantage on paper.
Moving Forward Together with Purpose
SERIS operates in the region, with people from the region, for clients in the region. So it makes sense for us to invest regionally as a buyer as well. Not as a statement, but as a consistent choice that is reflected every day in the way we work.
Are you curious to know how SERIS applies this to the security of your facility?
