10 the Netherlands, is intended to intensify the research into suitable local cereal varieties. In the Dutch breweries we are testing on a small scale a system of anaerobic waste water purification. In this process, in contrast to the method which we have long been using, no aeration of the waste water takes place. A combination of the two systems may lead to optimization of the treatment of waste water arising in the production process. Know-how concerning this purification process may be applicable in the various breweries world-wide which operate under different climatological conditions. changes are making higher demands on our management than in the past. Taking into account the requirements of both the enterprise and the individual em ployees. an adequate system of planning and development of management poten tial is therefore indispensable. In addition to various forms of training, much attention is thus being paid to the development of information systems in order to support the management devel opment activities. The introduction of new beer bottles in the Netherlands was accompanied by modification of our bottling lines. This modification results in a reduction of sur face damage in the re-use of the bottles. Personnel During the year under review the average number of employees was 28.749, com pared to 28,410 in 1985. Geographical breakdown of personnel (numbers) 6,187 The Netherlands 674 Western Hemisphere 4.094 Asia/Australia/Oceania 6.693 Africa 11.101 Rest of Europe We wish to express our gratitude here for the way in which our employees all over the world have once again shown such dedication to the interests of the enterprise in the past year. Labour relations have developed harmon iously in the enterprise. In the restructuring of the brewery groups in France and Spain efforts were made, within the framework of social plans drawn up for that purpose, to offset as much as possible the consequences for the personnel concerned. Amongst other things, assistance was given in the finding of alternative employment, whilst some of the employees were offered early retirement. Also the restructuring of the soft drinks business in the Netherlands is being carefully monitored. The continuing international growth of our enterprise and the rapid social

Jaarverslagen en Personeelsbladen Heineken

Jaarverslagen | 1986 | | pagina 12