CIRCULAR ECONOMY EXPLAINING THE INS AND OUTS

CIRCULAR ECONOMY EXPLAINING THE INS AND OUTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 20 CIRCULAR INTERIOR DESIGN - YOUR GAINS 11 EXPERIENCE IS THE MOTHER OF WISDOM 17 HOW IT WORKS 06 OUR GOALS ARE ATTAINABLE 26 A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL ASPECT 13 IN PRACTICE: PAST AND PRESENT COMBINED 05 THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 08 CLOSING THE LOOP 18 THE DESIGN PROCESS 28 EARLY ADOPTER - CASE EXAMPLE 19 THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

It always seems impossible until it s done Nelson Mandela World changer THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY REUSE > LOSS PREVENTION > ELIMINATE WASTE Key words used in terms of the circular economy. Gispen believes in the circular principles. We are convinced that welldesigned, durable furniture is the starting point for a sustainable interior and creates benefits for all parties involved at the same time. Whether it concerns your working-, educational-, care- or home environment. In this brochure we will take you on a journey through the world of the circular economy. What is the circular economy exactly? How does it differ from more traditional economic structures? How will it affect our day-to-day business? And of course - what are my benefits? The most important fact: we are improving circular product design and sustainable production on a daily basis. In more concrete terms Two examples: 1. Components are designed in such a way that, whenever possible, they can be reused at any point in the future. The steel legs of a desk, for example, can be adapted and repainted for a new lease of life as part of your new coffee table. In a nutshell: the circular economy Today s economy is linear by design. The process is based on a take, make and dispose of principle, meaning that raw materials are processed into products and disposed of when no longer needed. A circular economy - on the contrary - functions as a closed loop system. Once products or materials are no longer needed, we will take them back and reuse them in the most efficient way. By means of innovative manufacturing and clever usage. 2. Are there no further possibilities for reusing a product? Only when a component or material is truly at the end of its lifecycle, we opt for recycling. Making sure that its residual materials are restored and given back to nature in a non-polluting way or that it is used as a resource again. If, for instance, a tabletop is unsuitable for any other purpose, we will shred its materials and manufacture a new wooden panel out of it. If we require new raw materials for a production process, we use as many renewable and local materials as we can find. By doing so, Gispen, its partners, suppliers and clients collectively form a closed loop system, to minimise waste and pollution simultaneously. > Undertaking in more circular ways helps to put an end to the rising levels of pollution, the exploitation of our precious environment and contributes to reducing social inequality on a global scale. 04 05

CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WELL INTENDED OR REALITY? OUR GOALS ARE ATTAINABLE The circular economy is not an empty dream. Many recent developments have made it possible to manufacture and consume in new ways. Such developments have allowed us to reuse materials in a more cost-effective and efficient way. The general mindset of our time has also been a supportive factor in achieving this new system. Well-considered and cost-effective No one can afford not to be considerate of our planet and the raw materials it has to offer. After all, we only have one planet and its resources will eventually run out. Luckily, most of already existing materials can be reused. Gispen is well aware of this and will always consider the options to upgrade or remanufacture a product whenever possible (more information on page 8). procurement. Manufacturers, in turn, become more aware of their societal significance. They have learned that conducting business not only entails making a profit, but that increasing sustainability by reducing consumption and dealing with social inequality is of vital importance in the long run. On the other hand, users and consumers appreciate quality and craftsmanship in a product. They also favour usage over ownership. Social awareness Increasing sustainability is symbolic to the time we live in. Companies, for instance, include sustainable corporate objectives into their policy plans and governments stimulate sustainable developments and circular A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE GAINS We are convinced of the added value of a closed loop system propulsive towards true sustainability. Your benefits will be the following if you join us in our endeavour FOR YOUR COMPANY high quality furniture value retaining over time no distinction between new or refurbished items pay only for usage contribute to the environment FOR YOUR SURROUNDINGS eliminate wastage of raw materials decrease of eco-taxes increase of local employment 06 07

CLOSING THE LOOP The chart below explains the ins and outs of the circular economy. For Gispen, as a designer and manufacturer, it all starts right at the early stages of the design process. The reusability and the lifecycle of a product is part of the design process. Finished products will withstand four subsequent phases. Also referred to as the four circles of the circular process. Transaction? CO2 neutral production Production of intermediate products Recyclable resources PRESS PLAY TO START THE ANIMATION USER Enjoys working at a Gispen desk MAINTENANCE REPAIRS AND UPGRADE REMANUFACTURING CREATE REUSABLE MATERIALS Gispen Continuous service during use Gispen regularly checks whether the client wishes to keep the product. If not, Gispen will make the product available to another user. Phase 1 Maintenance: Gispen carries out technical maintenance. Collect and distribute Phase 2 Repairs: Gispen refurbishes or repairs pieces of furniture making sure they once again meet functional requirements. Reuse (sort and distribute) Phase 3 Reuse: Worn or damaged components are given a new lease of life. Tabletops become partition walls for instance. Recycling Phase 4 Recycling: End-of-life furniture is taken apart and the various materials are separated and sorted, which are then reused. Energy recovery THE CIRCULAR PROCESS ENCOMPASSES 4 CIRCLES 08 09

AMBITION 2018 Ambition: a viable pay-per-use model (you pay only for the use of furniture) EARLY ADAPTORS THE FIRST CIRCULAR PROJECTS ARE REALITY: Alliander Copper8 ProRail Rabobank New World Campus 2011-2015 2020 Ambition: 50% reuse of existing goods and semi-products, 50% of all transactions are circular and 80% of our products are secured by means of a return to base guarantee 100 YEARS GISPEN 2016 Our supplier policy and procurement is based on conducting business in a circular way EXPERIENCE IS THE MOTHER OF WISDOM One does not achieve circular entrepreneurship and furnishing overnight. It requires a transition in how one thinks and acts, which can only be achieved when we think alike, work together and get to it. Innovative partners Join us Gispen has taken part in Use-it-Wisely, an European Our clients challenge us to take it that one step further, research project in which we search for the best with every question and every order. There is more than manufacturing methods to utilize products in a circular way. one solution to achieving circular entrepreneurship. At the We are currently developing a so-called Design Framework same time, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. together with TNO, one of our Use-it-Wisely partners. Keeping in mind the projects we have realised so far, we We also take part in the Green Deal network and MVO look forward to furthering our experience, together with Nederland. you. Experience is the mother of wisdom! 2020 policy plan: Gispen goes circular CO2 NEUTRAL 2020 2000-2010 Reused tabletop Transition towards Circular Principles DISASSEMBLY 1990-2000 The first refurbishing projects MODULARITY 1950-1980 Systems furniture Our skilled workers add value by means of improving technology FIRST CLASSICS 1916-1950 Industrial design in private homes Repainted frame Tabletop support unprocessed reused 1916 PLAY THE ANIMATION 10 11

PLAY THE ANIMATION IN PRACTICE: PAST AND PRESENT MERGE Gispen has proven itself when it comes to sustainable entrepreneurship. We are currently working towards fulfilling our ambition through application of reuse and remake activities. The renewed and upgraded Gispen Next working area is a very tangible example of this development. GISPEN NEXT 1993 > MODULAR > REUSE CO2-reduction, renewable energy, waste separation and an efficient logistical process. All of which are important themes and already considered to be so in 1993. Gispen introduced Gispen Next that year, a design way ahead of its time due to its modular system. An innovative part, the Easy Connect - smart tool allowed the table legs to be arranged and fastened in any desired position. The system could also be moved in a flat position (flatpack) and reassembly was quick and easy. GISPEN NEXT 2015 > 80% REUSEABILITY > RECYCLED Ever since the beginning of Gispen Next, experience has been gained with reuse and now from several circular projects for clients such as ABN Amro and KPN. The delivery of large quantities of workstations in the past compared to the increasing demand for tailored solutions in the present show that times have really changed. The image above is an example of Gispen Next 2015, a general practitioner s work area. This desk features recycled materials (10%) and 80% of the steel segments are made of of reused and repainted material. Completed with a technical upgrade, a contemporary, as new desk is realized, hence value added to existing materials. 12 13

ARE YOU CONSIDERING TO OPT FOR CIRCULAR FURNITURE? WE WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION 3 1 2 Modularity The furniture is constructed out of separate modules, which are easy to reuse later on. Dissassembly The furniture is easy to (dis)assemble which will save time and energy and ensures reuse. Reusable materials As many sustainable, reusable materials and as few finite raw materials as possible are used when producing furniture. Versatility in design The furniture is of an optimal design. We strive toward using a minimum number of mounting points and we use visible, accessible components which are interchangeable where possible. Environment Processes are managed in such a way as to ensure our use of materials causes a minimum strain on the environment. We do so by searching for the right balance between local, recycled and newly (renewable) harvested resources. Working according to the latest insights into our business also contributes in achieving our environmental goals. 14 15

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS Presuming that you wish to participate in the transition towards a closed loop system, where would you start? Your existing furniture could be a good starting point, but opting for a new array of furniture could also be a viable solution. Or perhaps a combination of the two. Upgrading existing furniture Do you already have a complete office? In that case you can have us remanufacture the existing furniture which is still in good shape. Furniture of lesser quality will be disposed of responsibly (environmental report included). Taking into account the amount of reusable furniture that is available, you are provided a complete proposal. Just like you are used to.. Once agreed, the components in question will be collected and adapted into new pieces of furniture at our facility, after which the furniture is replaced at your location. Using new furniture as a starting point If, for instance, you need to furnish an empty office, new furniture will likely be your starting point. The first step for us will be to focus on your requirements and demands for working processes, office environment and workstations. You will receive a proposal for the most durable interior design possible, taking into account all you requirements and best practises of circular use at that point in time. Once agreements have been made, we will be at your service. USEFUL INFORMATION RETURN VALUE Return value is the amount you receive when you exchange a piece of furniture, which is a percentage of the original acquisition price. We will determine the return value at the end of a product s use time. The return value often exceeds the amount you would receive at the second-hand market due to our clever way of reusing intermediate products. Combination It often occurs that clients wish to upgrade existing furniture, and simultaneously complete the office environment by acquisition of new furniture. Whatever your request, you will be provided with a tailored, complete and sustainable proposal. Prolong long-lifecycle(d) products is what we strive toward, which holds true to all of the scenarios above. Even after completion of your office we will assist you throughout the processes of maintenance, repairs, upgrades, remanufacturing and recycling (more information on page 8). FURNITURE MANAGEMENT The inventory of any location of all of your furniture is registered in an online system. We do this in order to, not only, come up with a maintenance and exchange plan but also to be transparent in activities we execute, the added value of maintenance and to ensure a closed loop system. MAINTENANCE Your employees will receive operating and daily maintenance instructions upon installation of the Gispen furniture. If desired, we will conduct an annual round of preventive maintenance. Should anything break in the meantime, you are always free to contact our Customer Service department. We will then provide corrective maintenance on site which is often taken care of in one appointment profitable for both of us as well as the environment. 16 17

Behind the scenes: THE DESIGN PROCESS Using materials at their highest utility. Considering future reuse or remanufacturing. It all starts with a good design. Our furniture is developed according to the latest insights into sustainability and the principles of the Circular Economy. Circular design In a circular economy, furniture should be designed in such a way that it simplifies the process of closing the loops. Products are often designed for a certain period in time, as well as for a one way single use. While designing according to the entire lifecycle of an office or school environment is where the real profits lie. Gispen has developed the CE DESIGN FRAMEWORK together with TNO for the purpose of making the design requirements for the circular economy more transparent, but also to allow for easier decision making. We guarantee and show that all products designed according to this framework will be increasingly CE-proof. Together and in-house A closed loop system cannot be realized alone. Therefore we work in close collaboration with designers and suppliers who have also embraced the circular philosophy. Organisations such as TNO, with whom we work together to research and implement new ways of making our furniture accountable to circular requirements. Our furniture meets all European requirements, which we manufacture in-house using local materials at our CO2- neutral factory in Culemborg. CREATE ADDED VALUE THE PRODUCTION PROCESS MORE SEMI-PARTS > REUSE > LABOUR > ELIMINATE WASTE There are summary of the most prominent effects of circular thinking on the production process. Our furniture is constructed out of a modular construction whenever possible and by implementing semi- parts into the production process, wastage is reduced and less energy is needed for refurbishment. As new Collaboration throughout supply chain Reusing existing products has become an increasing part Partnerships and supply chain collaboration and of our activities, which in turn has led to a decrease of new transparency are of far more significance in a circular production. Retaining quality is key here. Refurbished or economy than in linear forms of production. How do you, new, all of our products offer the same quality. for instance, ensure that exhausted materials end up in the right place and that waste is recycled? Gispen has made Skilled professionals clear agreements with its partners and suppliers for the Our production process has shifted in a sense that we now purpose of safeguarding this process. These agreements place more emphasis on labour instead of materials, include Gispen coordinating and stimulating the entire meaning that good logistics, handling and the knowhow of skilled professionals have become increasingly management, effectively using our influence as a supplier supply chain of production, by means of procurement important. All of this has resulted in more employment and a manufacturer. opportunities. 18 19

CIRCULAR ENVIRONMENTS TO WORK, LEARN, CARE AND LIVE- A SELECTION To give you a better understanding of circular entrepreneurship, we now present you with a selection of furniture boasting circular perks. YOUR BENEFITS FROM CIRCULAR COLLABORATION Modular construction Quick assembly and disassembly Easy to expand or adapt Minimum number of components Sustainable materials Furniture meets European EN 527 standards Have the option of phased investments Pay to use, not to have Starting off with, for instance, manual height-adjustable TM workstations will mean that your investment will be relatively low. Upgrading to a manual- or electric height adjustment system is possible at any point in the future, whenever you decide it is time to invest or functionally needed. It is even possible to add sit/stand- or dual workstations with or without dividers. The process of expanding your inventory is easy and expeditious. 20 21

WORKSTATIONS AND STORAGE ROBUST > WELL-BALANCED > MULTI-FUNCTIONAL Key words for our TM product line the most functional furniture programme. All of your requirements can be fulfilled due to the smart and sophisticated construction. SIMPLY STYLISH > That is what our IC workstation programme stands for. Characterised by 4 table legs and a convenient flatpack feature, this programme offers workstations with a sleek and architectonic look which are easy to expand into larger workstations which enable teamwork. EFFECTIVELY ORGANISED > That is what comes to mind when you think of our SDK programme: a series of sliding-door cabinets characterised by their stylish perforation patterns, which also contribute to pleasant acoustics in the room. Sort through our wide range of accessories and steel shelves and create your ideal storage. 22 23

MEETINGS PLEASANT ENCOUNTERS > EFFICIENT MEETINGS The TM workstation programme can be complemented with various conference tables, which of course offer the same advantages in construction and use. SUSTAINABLE SEATING Sitting right and being comfortable and responsible at the same time. We offer various circular solutions that offer all of this and more. Be amazed by our functional and sustainable furniture such as the successful Zinn office chair. Zinn office chair Zinn visitor s chair Turn conference chair 24 25

FROM OWNERSHIP TO USE PACKAGE A PACKAGE B PAKKET C A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL ASPECT There are various financial models to choose from when opting for a circular interior design. The key question here is which model will suit your purpose best? Financially, we offer three options: Package A, B and C. Either one of the options aims closing all loops are closed after use, by means of return warranties. Pay-Per-Use One of the essences of a circular business models is that the manufacturer retains ownership of the materials and that you only pay for its use. By doing so a driving force between reuse is created, as opposed to consumption leading to waste as we are currently used to. In such pay-per-use constructions, we will make long-term agreements regarding your interior. What you ultimately pay depends on the agreements we make regarding the control of all materials, but also on the utilization, usage and loss prevention of the furniture. IN SHORT Package A: an initial step towards implementing furniture in a circular way Package B: a phased transition towards pay-per-use Package C: pay for use Good to know The amount paid per workstation is factored by a number of things such as the number of workstations, the selected models (functional and cosmetic), period of use and the intensity of use. YOUR GOALS A (re)new(ed) interior design YOUR AMBITION Increasing the sustainability of your company GISPEN SERVICES Maintenance during use Furniture management CONTRACT TYPE You will purchase and own the furniture during use. We will make agreements regarding maintenance for the purpose of loss prevention, hence an agreement for period of use. When you no longer have use for the furniture you can return it to Gispen at return value. YOUR BENEFITS Have ownership of sustainable products which at one point will be reused by Gispen and therefore closing material loops. WHAT WE AGREE TO You will return the furniture in due time. During the course of use you will take good care of the furniture. The return value will be higher if used and maintained properly. You will be incorporated into our furniture management system for periodic rounds of maintenance and you will receive maintenance status reports accordingly. You are always entitled to a return value for all used goods. All returning furniture will be processed in a circular way. YOUR GOALS A new interior design which can be altered whenever your furniture requirements change. YOUR AMBITION The circular practise appeals to you. In time, you want to make the transition towards a fully circular interior design. GISPEN SERVICES Maintenance during use Furniture management Repairs and upgrades of existing furniture CONTRACT TYPE Phase 1: you purchase and own the furniture during use. Afterwards, you can return your furniture to Gispen at return value (type of contract Package A) Phase 2: you switch to a pay-per-use based contract. You only pay for use (type of contract Package C). If needed, we will repair and/or upgrade your furniture before you enter phase 2. YOUR BENEFITS This approach ties in with your current budget and organisational structure. Make headway towards a circular interior design in a responsible and sensible way. WHAT WE AGREE TO During the course of use you will take good care of the furniture. After the initial period of use you will have the option of returning the furniture. We will then buy the furniture from you at return value (you are always entitled to a return). Afterwards, we will re-offer you the furniture in the form of a pay-per-use construction. YOUR GOALS You wish to keep your interior up to date and only pay for the use of furniture YOUR AMBITION You want to implement a circular economy into your business GISPEN SERVICES Maintenance during use Furniture management Flexible and fast repairs, upgrades and replacements CONTRACT TYPE You only pay for use. We will enter into an agreement consisting of a monthly subscription for the use of furniture, maintenance services and furniture management. YOUR BENEFITS Your furniture is always up to date. You will not have to deal with obsolescence and costly replacement. Your furniture will be reused at one point in the future. Upgrades, remanufacturing and returns options are also included in the package. You will contribute to the environment with your circular furniture. WHAT WE AGREE TO During the course of use you will take good care of the furniture. Gispen retains ownership and takes care of loss prevention. 26 27

Case example ALLIANDER DUIVEN: CIRCULAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND REUSE IN PRACTICE Network provider Alliander distributes gas and electricity throughout the Netherlands and has serious ambitions in terms of sustainable entrepreneurship. The company has realised its ambitions in the form of a new positive-energy building at its existing location in Duiven. Gispen pitched in by providing the furniture, all according to circular principles. would implement our requests and requirements into practice on a product, process and financial level. Circular ladder Alliander provided Gispen with a perfect opportunity to test our own circular ambitions at large in practice. The circular ladder, a first tool to measure and compare, was used as a benchmark for the project, which allowed us to accurately determine whether a make or model met Alliander s circular demands. Gispen s strategy Gispen took care of refurbishing and technically updating 750 pieces of Alliander s existing workstations. Many of which have been joined together on site to form dual workstations, including an optimisation for cable management purposes. Tabletops have been replaced and the old pieces have been altered to be used as workstation dividing screens or reused for the construction of locker cabinets. Furthermore, various components of the seats will be easy to reuse at some point. The lighting has also been procured and installed according to circular principles, which saves energy every day. In time and if needed, the furniture will be repaired, replaced or returned but most of all, reused. Mark Hamstra: Our project in Duiven was the start of a collaborated journey into the unknown. Our relationship and achievements have has inspired us to continue on this journey, and to further develop and share our knowledge in the field of circular interior design. Alliander not only works toward a sustainable power supply in the Netherlands but also towards an improved sustainability within its own organisation. We feel responsible for how we leave our mark on our surroundings. Mark Hamstra, Ketenmanager Facility Management bij Alliander Mark Hamstra, Chain manager Facility Management at Alliander Icoonproject 80% circulariteit In August 2015, Alliander realised a truly iconic project: five existing buildings at its branch in Duiven have been expanded and enclosed by a greenhouse with a floating roof. The facility generates its own energy and even delivers energy to its surroundings. During construction, many of the existing raw materials and resources were reused, which contributed in achieving an 80% circular operation. Knowledge and practical experience The ambitions that have led to this architecture have also had a part in the selection of the furniture. Mark Hamstra: As for the entire project, we also wanted the procurement of furniture to be done in a circular way. Alliander issued a tender and Gispen acted accordingly. Hamstra: We granted Gispen the order because we could relate to their vision of the circular economy. Another decisive factor was their detailed description of how they CLEAR UNDER- STANDING Alliander and Gispen made the following agreements: in collaboration: the process of coming up with an ideal circular solution a circular financial procurement model product configurations circular manufacturing options after first, second and third period of use maintenance and service PRESS PLAY TO START THE CLIP 28 29

WARRANTY Gispen stays responsible for the returns of products in order to guarantee circular methods of business. As for our own products, they will be given a new lease of life in, of course, a circular way. We also provide supply and waste management services for the products of partners. All in order to close material loops and be responsible we report the route of products and materials. DO YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE OR TALK THINGS THROUGH? We will be glad to elaborate further on the essence of circular interior design and entrepreneurship. Do you want to know more about what is possible for your organisation? Or discuss things without obligation? Feel free to contact or visit us in our Inspiration Centre in Culemborg. Gispen Nederland Parallelweg West 23 4104 AZ Culemborg Postbus 30 4100 AA Culemborg +31 (0)345 474 211 30

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