Special evening honouring loyal employees

The annual jubilee evening was held at the Van den Bosch Academy in Erp on Friday 3 November. Ten celebrants marked milestone workiversaries and recent retirements at this memory-filled evening in honour of their many years of service.

Van den Bosch CEO Rico Daandels welcomed everyone to the party. "We're very proud to be here tonight with ten jubilarians and retirees," he said. Daandels thanked the loyal employees for their tireless efforts. "Your passion and energy is invaluable to us."

After an official photo opportunity, the evening could truly begin. One by one, all the celebrants were put in the spotlight. Photos and stories were used to recall fond memories of past years of service.

‘Never home late’
Henk Timmers has plenty of stories. The retiree started at Van den Bosch in 1998 and drove many international beer transports. "To France and Germany, for example. Getting to visit so many places is the best part of the job. And my wife accompanied me whenever possible, so I could never be late coming home either," laughs the driver.

Even after his retirement, Timmers still occasionally climbs into a Van den Bosch truck. "Then I just drive the English combination to the port in Rotterdam. I never had time for hobbies, but I've been playing darts on Thursday evenings for the past weeks."

Learning the business
Badminton is the favourite hobby of Emiel van Haren, Operations Director of the Liquid Bulk division. But this Friday evening, he skipped badminton to attend the jubilee evening. Van Haren has been with Van den Bosch for 25 years, even though he originally started 'just to learn the ropes'.

"My family had their own transport company and I was supposed to go back there after two years. But things turned out a bit differently." He started in planning and has since progressed to Operations Director. "I feel right at home here. I even met my wife here, who also worked for Van den Bosch."

Freedom
Turgay Caliskaner had also completely mapped out his path beforehand and managed to stick to it. Caliskaner started in cleaning at Van den Bosch and got his driving licence in the meantime. "That was also the plan: first work and then get my driving licence," he says.

He has now been with Van den Bosch for 25 years and a driver for more than 20. "The freedom is what appeals to me the most. You are basically your own boss in the lorry. And I just love driving. I even enjoy going on long drives during my holidays."

On to 25
Trainer Marjon Koch is also enjoying herself, both at work and at the jubilee evening. "It's really unique and special to be put in the limelight like this. You must be doing something right as a company if you have so many people to put in the spotlight."

At the start of the year, Koch had been with the company for 12.5 years but as far as she is concerned, she will continue until she reaches her 25th workiversary. "Definitely and if possible, even longer. I'm enjoying myself very much. Van den Bosch is a wonderful company."

Photo caption: all celebrants at a glance: 12.5 years: Marjon Koch, Marcel Verbrugge and Laszlo Lukacs. 25 years: Turgay Caliskaner, Emiel van Haren, Wally Lentjes, Chanthy Hem and Berry Helmhout†. Retirees: Jos Merkx, Henk Timmers and Rene Jongeneel.