Vanhout, an established name in the construction sector with hundreds of employees across the country, faced a familiar challenge: how do you ensure that appreciation doesn’t remain limited to occasional gestures, but grows into a structural part of your company culture? Together with Arteel, Vanhout found a solution that feels both efficient and human.
From Occasional Gestures to a Coherent System
“Within our company culture, we’ve always paid attention to small gestures that make a difference,” says Hanne Van Laer, Marketing & Communications Manager. “A bottle of wine, a gift card, flowers for an anniversary. Well-intentioned, but fragmented. We noticed that we often worked reactively and spent a lot of time on practical matters. The risk was that the essence — genuine appreciation — was getting lost.”
The transition to the Arteel platform changed that. With a central system that automatically tracks milestones and events, ad-hoc solutions were replaced by a sustainable policy.
A Platform That Combines Choice with a Personal Touch
For Vanhout, freedom of choice was essential. Hanne Van Laer explains: “Our employees are very diverse. One gift may feel valuable to one person but may not resonate at all with another. Thanks to the GiftApp, employees can now choose how they receive their appreciation. It makes a world of difference: it’s more personal, more relatable, and therefore more impactful.”
Moreover, the system allows for a human touch. Personal messages, logos on baby gifts, or a handwritten card remain a standard feature. “It’s all about the combination: the efficiency of technology and the warmth of a personal approach.”
Because the catalog is broad, everyone can find something that suits them — including the option to donate to a charity. This prevents “mandatory” gifts and increases engagement.
“There’s truly something for everyone, even the option to donate to a charity.”
Because the catalog is extensive, everyone can find something that suits them — including the option to donate to a charity. This prevents “obligatory” gifts and boosts engagement.
Efficiency for HR, Impact for Employees
What used to take days to organize now happens with just a few clicks. Anniversaries, births, or retirements — everything is managed and delivered through a single central system. This gives HR the space to focus on policy and culture, rather than on practical logistics.
“The employee feedback shows that it works,” says Sonja Wens, HR Manager. “They truly feel seen. And for us, it’s reassuring that appreciation no longer depends on occasional initiatives but is structurally embedded in the organization.”
Home delivery creates a moment of surprise and conversation at home. Colleagues spontaneously shared photos, partners responded enthusiastically, and the gesture resonated longer than a traditional office gift.
“My wife was truly delighted — it feels a bit more special when it arrives at home.”
From Reactive to Proactive Appreciation
Thanks to the collaboration with Arteel, Vanhout can now look ahead. Data and insights from the platform help HR measure the impact of appreciation initiatives and develop new ideas. Sonja Wens explains: “It gives us the ability to guide, not just react. That’s a fundamental difference.”
What used to involve searching and delays is now predictable and hassle-free. Even when a product was incorrect, it was replaced within a week: the service builds trust and saves internal time.
Do you also want to centralize and personalize appreciation?
Arteel helps you set up a scalable, thoughtful, and warm appreciation policy with measurable impact. Discover our solutions for your organization here..
