After a car accident left her homebound for nearly three years, Dominique Snijders was looking for work that matched her limited capacity. Through a local municipality program, she found her way to Meldon — and immediately felt the difference. “It felt like family,” she recalls.
Meldon didn’t just offer Dominique a job. They gave her trust, space, and support. While rebuilding her life, Dominique had to postpone a critical surgery. Her supervisor, Stan, understood — giving her the time and flexibility to recover at her own pace. That support made all the difference.

Dominique started on the production floor and quickly secured a temporary contract. Her dedication stood out, and she was soon promoted to team lead assistant — a role that combines leadership with hands-on work. After a few months, she was offered a permanent position, earlier than expected. Today, she’s training to become a certified team leader.

What resonates most with Dominique is the trust Meldon placed in her. While past employers focused on her physical limitations, Meldon saw her potential. “Meldon practices corporate social responsibility — not just in words, but in real action.”
In addition to her leadership role, Dominique completed a HARRIE training program and became Meldon’s very first ‘Harrie’ — a buddy for colleagues with additional challenges. She now helps others feel just as seen and supported as she did.

Dominique’s story is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when a company truly invests in people. At Meldon, corporate social responsibility starts with genuine care, trust, and opportunity — the very things that help someone believe in themselves again.

In early 2020, my life was suddenly turned upside down. I was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and began a lengthy course of treatment. Twelve months later, I had a medical to assess my health for work; the conclusion was that I could not go back to my old job of operator. So, while things were bad enough already with the cancer, I now had to worry about my future, my job, and my income too.

I ended up on a ‘second track’ at Stap Nu, where they were very helpful in supervising my return to work. My coach, Dyon Klaassen, and I had a look at what would, and would not, suit my personal work capacity and what I wanted to do. Although we focused on finding another job, I still hoped, and longed, to be able to stay at Meldon Plastics | Extrusion Intelligence. And, after much blood, sweat and tears, as I proceeded along the ‘track’, my wish had more and more chance of becoming a reality. Little by little I began to recover, the results from the hospital were favorable and I started to work more and more hours at my old job.

Now almost 2.5 years after diagnosis, I have managed to fully reintegrate. I’m so proud of that achievement. And I’m grateful too: grateful that I was able to survive it all, physically and mentally. Grateful that I’m surrounded by people who are there for me, through thick and thin. But also grateful that I have an employer who supported me, and allowed me the time and space to recover.

This is my personal fairy tale. And to make it complete, I can finally say that after applying internally at Meldon, I will be stepping up to junior team leader from July 1. I got my life back and it turned out better than I could have imagined. Now I can start focusing on this great new challenge with courage and confidence![:]

Through a recruiter, I entered Meldon in 2019. My initial motivations for applying were travel distance and salary. But these arguments soon changed to a better feeling. I immediately noticed the small-scale and social character of the company. The lines between colleagues are short and there’s a personal approach to things. Which made my choice very easy. And I have never regretted it. The job is exactly as expected, I am more challenged and given more responsibility than at my previous employers.

My job means that difficult decisions have to be made at some point. But precisely because Meldon has a family atmosphere, this is easier to talk about among ourselves. I am in the middle, we do it together. The door is always open and someone walks in regularly. If necessary, I switch directly to our HR department and help is offered. And that works exactly the same for me towards my own supervisor. Meldon works with attention

In early 2022, I came in through the temp agency and was recently hired by Meldon itself.

I like variety in my work and weekly rhythm. That’s why the five-shift system really appealed to me. In addition, the travel distance was an advantage for me. When I started, the greater benefits of working at Meldon became clear to me as well. I am currently taking operator training; something that is supported and encouraged from all sides. At Meldon you are allowed and motivated to grow, if you are open to it.

I have worked in production companies before, but I have never felt so involved with the product. At Meldon, this is exactly what is expected of me. And it actually comes naturally. As soon as you complete the required measurement course, you are immediately given that responsibility. When I notice differences in the production process, I consult my colleagues to solve things together. I am lucky to work with a team of very nice and skilled people. I really feel at home here. I like the pleasant contact among colleagues, and the fact that, for example, the director also just walks around the shop floor from time to time supports that feeling. I’m not used to that and it makes me feel good.

‘Meldon summed up in one sentence? I’ll do it in 1 word: fun. I really like it here

I know Meldon as a company because I am from the region myself, the distinctive building in an industrial area stands out. In the second year of my education (technical business administration) I was allowed to start my internship immediately. Even though I knew Meldon, I didn’t know what exactly they did. I wondered if there would be a fit, so off I went for an interview. After two interviews, it was clear that this would be my internship site.

In the very first interview, I stood with Stan, my internship supervisor, in front of a whiteboard. Together we brainstormed about possible internship assignments, which was great to do. We decided my assignment would be to analyze the internal supply of the raw material (granulate). All the way from warehouse to production, because we saw room for improvement there. It was clear beforehand that this was an interesting assignment. Not only useful for Meldon, but also a lot of fun for me.

This is my first internship so I have no comparison. but I can say I really like the company. The operation of the machines intrigues me, it’s a beautiful process just to look at this while standing in front of a machine. In addition, people are very approachable. I can ask anyone questions about the operation or the process.

I see Stan every day and can ask my questions whenever I want. In addition, I get all the responsibility and space to work out my assignment