Monique van Spijk writes for Parkmanagement Waalwijk, where she regularly puts an entrepreneur in the spotlight. This time it was the turn of our own Alexandra for an interview with Monique!

HFL Laboratories

HFL Laboratories develops problem-solving skin products with remarkable origins. What once started as a kitchen table idea of a pedicurist has grown into a company with international clients as well as pioneering formulas. Remarkable: HFL Laboratories' scientific insights are not limited to nail and skin care. Co-owner Alexandra Vingerhoets is the second generation in the company founded by her mother Susanne. She explains: "What started out as a solution for nail fungus turns out to have much wider applicability. Even in sectors that are remotely unrelated to the pedicure chair."

Formula against fungal infections

"My mother Susanne Vingerhoets is from Denmark. When she started her own pedicure practice in the Netherlands, she noticed while treating skin and nail fungus that the available problem-solving products were insufficient to deal with it. In Denmark, she had been introduced to techniques from the food industry that put her on the right track. With this, she plunged into product development. She worked for years on a first formula that indeed proved effective against fungal infections. That became the basis for a patented product that is now part of a broad line of products with proven efficacy. What works for humans also turned out to be the solution for animals. From dogs, horses, rabbits and cows and parrots to even dolphins and reptiles."

Distribution via healthcare professionals

"Our products need specific knowledge and explanation. In the Netherlands and much of Europe, we have therefore opted for distribution through healthcare professionals, such as medical pedicures, therapists and veterinary clinics. By investing in long-term relationships with these professionals, we get involved users who know what they are doing and how to use the products. Especially since they are often applied to high-risk groups, such as people with diabetes, psoriasis or eczema."

Waalwijk branch

"After previous locations in Tilburg, Loon op Zand and Berkel-Enschot, we finally ended up in Waalwijk. We were looking for premises with space for offices, training courses and our own warehouse, but without the hustle and bustle of an A-location. This is where we found the space to allow our company to grow even further in the coming years. The central location in Waalwijk is favourable: customers from all our catchment areas can easily reach us. Business park Haven is efficiently organised thanks to park management."

Develop, deliver, train

"HFL Laboratories' ambition goes beyond developing and supplying products. On the bottom floor, we have set up a training room, the HFL Experience Centre. Together with an accredited trainer, we are starting a pedicure training course there. We also organise trade days for professionals and theme days for animal carers. We want to share our knowledge and continue to learn from practice. Because we provide training ourselves, we keep abreast of what is going on in the field. New applications often arise where practice and our research knowledge meet."

Mold eating other fungi

"Our latest product line works on the basis of a fungus that eats other fungi. The micro-organisms we have developed detect harmful fungi, break them down and feed on them until everything is used up. As long as there is a feeding ground, such as another fungus, they remain active. Then they die off, without harming humans or animals. The insights gained from our products also made us think about very different applications, even outside the body. For instance, tests show that our product can remain active in mouldy walls for up to 9 months. Even for agriculture, where chemical agents are used to combat mould, our product has proven to be a valuable application in practice, and the launch of a complete product line is planned early next year. HFL Laboratories is only at the beginning of what is possible."

Want to know more? Visit www.hfllaboratories.nl or our HFL Professionals Facebook page!