Corporate responsibility: this is how we do it

Because the demands of society are constantly changing, we at Henri Willig consider sustainability and being a good employer to be important factors. Respect for people, animals and nature is central to our working processes, so that future generations can also have a good life and enjoy our delicious cheeses.

Read our annual CSR report here

Want to read more about how we do business in a socially responsible way? Then read on below.

Respect for people

At Henri Willig, we understand the importance of people. We value the opinions of our customers, our partners and our staff when developing new products and improving business processes. We aim to create a memorable experience for visitors so that they learn new things, discover new tastes and enjoy their visit with us.

We believe a happy workplace gives our employees the positive energy needed to inspire our guests and provide the unforgettable Henri Willig experience, while also encouraging personal growth and success in a healthy, safe and exciting working environment.

The Henri Willig Cheese family, is no longer just the Willig family. Anyone can be part of the cheese family - our team, our partners and even our customers are welcome to be part of the team!

Respect for animals

Happy cows = good milk = tasty cheese! This is not only true for the cows, it is of course also important for the goats and sheep. To make such tasty cheeses, we strive for the best care for our animals - both on our own farms and through our cooperation with our more than 40 milk supply partners under our Milk & More programme. This means that the animals get plenty of time outside - for our cow's milk, for example, 100% of our farming partners follow the pasture milk standard, which means that the animals spend at least 180 days, at least 12 hours a day in the pasture. We also apply technology that ensures the animals' comfort, and they receive a balanced diet that reduces the need for antibiotics.

Respect for nature

One of our most important factors regarding nature is that we want to leave the earth in a better state than we found it. This starts with our focus on restoring biodiversity in the Dutch landscape. In our environment, four areas are vital: the soil, the meadows, the ditches and the fences, all of which host a bio-diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. At Henri Willig, we are passionate about organic farming methods to maintain a healthy ecological balance.

We also strive to reduce our carbon emissions in our production facilities - for example, by 2022 we will have increased the number of solar panels on our cheese factory in Katwoude to 1,400. In this way, we become less dependent on the use of fossil energy sources - and improve our carbon footprint. At all our own sites, we have taken measures to use only green energy sources and to use clean water responsibly.

View our CO2 performance ladder here

Social commitment

Because people are so important to us, we support various social, cultural or sporting causes and initiatives that fit our mission to inspire the world with Henri Willig cheese. For example, in recent years members of our cheese family have participated in the annual Dam to Dam Run to raise money for the charity Kika, and members of our team have recently organised collections for the Food Bank and war victims in Ukraine.

Henri Willig's livestock farm, together with 19 other livestock farmers from the Waterland region, is taking part in the Cooperation in Peat Meadows and Natura 2000 Transitional Area scheme. Within this project, they work together on sustainable and future-proof business operations, with attention to nature, climate, water and soil.

In the peat meadow area and the transition zones around Natura 2000 areas, it is important to balance agriculture and nature. Collective measures are aimed at reducing subsidence, CO₂ and nitrogen emissions, improving water management and strengthening biodiversity.

With this cooperation, we contribute to the preservation and restoration of natural values in the region, while investing in healthy livestock farming for the future.