Posted by Lorenzo van Sichem
on March 20, 2025
Sylvester (46) has been a permanent employee at i-did for seven years and is an indispensable link in the factory. As an operator, he ensures that felt production runs smoothly and that the quality is always up to par. Seven years ago, he started as a StiPper through the municipality, after which he quickly became a permanent employee. He initially worked in production, but when the factory was established, he fully immersed himself in it. Since then, he can be found at the factory five days a week, where he feels completely at home.
What makes working at i-did so much fun?
"The diversity! There are always problems to solve, and I love that. No two days are the same, and that makes the work challenging and interesting."What did you learn at i-did?
"A lot! I now know how all the machines work here: the laser machine, the sticker robots, the sewing machines, and of course the machines in the factory. I even wrote a manual on how the felting line works."
Silvester working in the studio as a STIPper in 2018
What does a typical workday look like?
We start the day with a meeting with the factory team, where we discuss who will be doing what. Then I get to work on the machines. The tasks vary each day. Sometimes the factory needs a thorough cleaning, especially when we're working with new felt colors. Older colors then have to be removed from the machines, and that can be quite a job!
Did you know that…
Sylvester can hear and see when good felt is coming out of the machine. He developed this by making felt often.
Silvester at work in our felt factory in 2025
What do you like most about your job?
Figuring out how to set the machines to get the right type of felt is like a puzzle, and I enjoy figuring it out.Which projects are you most proud of?
The felt for Albert Heijn and the Ministry of Defense. I really liked the color of the felt for Albert Heijn, and the felt for the Ministry of Defense was a huge technical challenge. The material was very sturdy and stiff, but we ultimately succeeded!What is your life motto?
"It is what it is." A colleague used to say that, and I love the thought. You do your best, but if something doesn't quite work out, you shouldn't get stuck on that one problem. Usually, the solution comes naturally—often just before I fall asleep!Fun fact: Within i-did, new products are often named after colleagues. Sylvester is the namesake of this unique gift packaging !
What are your future plans?
"I'm not sure yet, but at i-did I want to further develop my leadership skills. I'll soon be training operators so I have more time to solve technical problems."
Interview: Eva Margarjan-Huijts
Text: Floor Hendrikx
Photography: Vera Claessen
i-did turns textiles into social impact
Every year, over 200,000 tons of textiles are discarded in the Netherlands, including large quantities of workwear. At the same time, more than 400,000 people are on welfare, including refugees and those for whom access to employment is not a given. They have few opportunities to discover and utilize their talents.
At i-did, we connect these two challenges: old textiles are given a second life and processed into products that truly matter. Products made by people who, at i-did, have the opportunity to gain experience and contribute meaningfully to society.
More and more companies are choosing i-did products, increasing our social impact and reach every year. On this page , we share insights, figures, and examples of how clothing reuse and social impact converge.
