NETHERLANDS - Grafische Bedrijfsfondsen (GBF), the €11.1bn pensions provider for the industry-wide scheme for the Dutch graphics industry, has re-named itself Timeos.

Ernö Kalmár, marketing, sales and communications manager, said GBF wanted to remove the focus on the term 'graphic' in its name in order to attract new clients.

The provider also believes the likelihood of the graphics and media industry negotiating a collective labour agreement (CAO) is high, he said.

According to Kalmár, GBF is looking to attract journalists and the gaming and publishing industries.

It is also exploring the possibility of providing pensions for the ever-growing number of self-employed workers in the Netherlands, he said.

Kalmár said new clients could join Timeos directly or by merging with PGB.

Earlier, the company pension schemes of publishers Wegener, Staatsdrukkerij, Misset, Persgroep and Het Financieele Dagblad joined PGB, which serves 200,000 participants at approximately 2,400 employers.

As of 1 January, the industry-wide scheme for the cardboard industry and flexible wrappings (K&FV) will also join PGB.

K&VF adds pension assets of €550m, and has approximately 25,000 participants in total at 130 affiliated companies.

According to Kalmár, Timeos has plans to provide both employers and workers in every branch with their own counter.

GBF and PGB have already physically separated, he said, with PGB's board and pension bureau having moved to another location in Amsterdam.
 
The 170-strong staff of Timeos will stay at the Zwaansvliet.

GBF will adopt its new name on 3 December.

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