Atelier Kleine Kade builds compact tables and shelving for apartments, using wood from regional suppliers. Managing director Pieter Van den Broeck took the pledge after a small sawmill told him that unpredictable payment dates made it difficult to schedule short production runs. The studio now aims to settle small-supplier invoices within fifteen days, with one person checking documentation as soon as it arrives instead of waiting for month-end. It also sends a short receipt confirmation so a supplier knows the invoice is in the queue. Over the first five months, the average payment time for those suppliers dropped from 35 days to 12. The sawmill has since agreed to hold selected boards for the studio without requiring an early deposit. Pieter says that arrangement is valuable for a small workshop where storage space is limited. The pledge made payment timing an operating habit, not an occasional favor.
