Thales Netherlands kicks off 100-year anniversary in Technology Museum Oyfo

Today at 10:00 AM, CEO of Thales Nederland Gerben Edelijn has kicked off the company's 100-year anniversary in Technology Museum Oyfo (Hengelo), together with Oyfo director Lous Kerkhof. “We want to continue to inspire all coming generations with challenging technology and inspiring collaborations.” Together with group 8 children, they both tested an escaperoom-in-a-box specially developed by Thales, in which technology, programming and plastic are focal points. In fact, Thales Nederland will be highlighting the global plastic waste problem during their entire anniversary year.

On July 6, 1922 NV Hazemeijers factory of Signal devices was founded because of the wish of the Royal Navy to outift Hr. ms. Sumatra (1926) and Mr. ms. Java (1925) with fire control. This year its legal successor, Thales Nederland B.V., celebrates its 100-year anniversary. In the past century, her field of activity has expanded from safety at sea to safety in public transport, in our airspace, of our planet and of our digital safety. “A rich history filled with collaborations with for instance the Royal Netherlands Navy and knowledge institutions. Building a future we can all trust – our mission – is something you do together. Those collaborations have brought Thales to where it stands today,” emphasizes Edelijn.

Anniversary highlights partnerships

In line with its mission, the company is therefore seizing this historic moment to increase the impact on a more sustainable society during the entire anniversary year, working together with employees, customers, suppliers, strategic partners, knowledge and research institutes and students. Sustainability is one of Thales' spearheads. Globally, for example, the company is gradually working towards a 50% reduction in corporate CO2 emissions by 2030 and a fully climate-neutral way of working in 2040. Thales is also making more and more products based on eco-design. For example, the Thales Group creates creditcards made of 70% plastic that has been collected from coastal areas, and recycled PVC cards that help banks use less plastic.

Operation plastic

The aforementioned escaperooms-in-a-box were developed to show kids how technology can contribute to a greener planet. The games are all about smartly reducing plastic waste, both on Earth and in space. Edelijn explains: “Every year at least eight million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans: an important playing field for both ourselves and our customers. The plastic problem affects us all. By further combining our strength and knowledge this year, we hope to be able to make a modest contribution to solving this problem. And we invite everyone to join Operation Plastic!”

Thales' ambition is to have collected 100 ideas to reduce plastic waste and to involve 100 enthusiastic stakeholders by the end of the anniversary year. Anyone who wants to join is welcome to do so – initiatives and other good ideas can be e-mailed to 100years@nl.thalesgroup.com. All initiatives will be regularly published on the website www.thales100years.nl.