FrieslandCampina is one of the world’s largest dairy companies, yet it still has that cooperative spirit

Roy is cooperative by nature; he’s an active member of his village association and believes in the power of shared success. “At FrieslandCampina, I have the chance to collaborate every day in so many ways. I work with colleagues, farmers, and even members of the board. FrieslandCampina simply wouldn’t exist without cooperation!” he shares. In 1871, farmers decided to join forces in the predecessor of today's cooperative. By doing so, they could strengthen their market position and ensure sales of their milk. “Today, FrieslandCampina is one of the world’s largest dairy companies, yet it still has that cooperative spirit I love,” Roy explains.

In Cooperative Affairs, Roy’s team is focused on keeping current members engaged, which is vital to FrieslandCampina’s success. “I work at the Amersfoort office but also visit farmers in person. These conversations are always interesting and sometimes challenging. Successfully navigating a tough conversation gives me energy. For a role in Cooperative Affairs, it’s essential to be enthusiastic, have strong communication skills, and, of course, have an affinity with the agricultural sector.”

Every day brings a new challenge. For instance, to engage younger farmers, Roy was involved developing the “Koemunity” (cow-munity) project. Through Koemunity, they organize pub quizzes and factory tours, meetings on topics like business succession, helping younger farmers connect and learn from one another.

And while it’s a large multinational, this size brings amazing opportunities. Collaboration extends beyond the Netherlands, with the chance to work with and learn from customers and colleagues worldwide. “I’ve traveled to Indonesia three times to give workshops for farmers and colleagues there. I’m also involved in the Farmer-to-Farmer project, connecting Dutch farmers with farmers abroad to share knowledge. These experiences give me so much energy and add a meaningful dimension to my work in Cooperative Affairs. FrieslandCampina has an open culture, where if you want something, you can make it happen. I joined in 2011 and have made significant progress in my role, developing both myself and the department.”

At FrieslandCampina, everything we do is guided by our purpose: Nourishing by Nature. Our DNA means that by our very nature we rely on cooperation. “At FrieslandCampina, you know why you get out of bed every morning, and that makes it a great place to work. From grass to glass, we make dairy accessible every day. Growing up on a dairy farm, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for dairy. Seeing how FrieslandCampina brings this to life and always aims to do its best makes me incredibly proud to work here.”