A key focus of Van der Vlist is continuity. Not just of business operations, but with an emphasis on relationships. In this column, a number of people in the organisation who have been in service for more than 30 years will speak out, demonstrating exceptionally long-lasting relationships. Today, Silvia (54 years old, 34 years of service) will tell us more about how she came to be associated with Van der Vlist, why she has worked in the organisation for so long, and how she has seen the organisation develop over the years.
When I started working, I ended up in Zwijndrecht via an employment agency, at what was then Van Namen Transport, as an administrative assistant. In the 1980s, Van Namen Transport was taken over by Van der Vlist and so I joined the company. In 1992, a new site was built in Moerdijk, where I started working as an administrative employee.
At some point, I ended up at technical services in Groot-Ammers, which was still called ETS at the time. I was there for a while, but at a certain time they needed someone again in Moerdijk, so my desk moved back there for a few years.
In 2009, the big workshop on the Wilgenweg opened. All the people associated with technical services then moved above the workshop, including me. However, Technical Services was growing so fast that people also ended up downstairs. We jokingly called this ‘the bunker’. With the growth of technical services, and the relocation of the transport department to Schelluinen, the supporting processes moved from the workshop to the ground floor of the head office. That is still where I am today.
Over the years, I have seen a lot of growth and modernisation. When I started, we were still working with the telex and typewriters and everything was written down. For drivers, we worked with all kinds of foreign currency, receipts, and cashbooks. I found this super fun to do. The arrival of the computer changed a lot, as more and more was digitised. This digitization still continues in the use of new programmes and systems. In the workshop, for instance, they now work with tablets, which is much more efficient, because mechanics no longer have to ask the planning what they have to do.
Because of the big growth, you no longer know everyone personally, but the unity from back then has remained. Efforts are still made to involve staff at openings and celebrations, which I always found and still find super fun. For instance, my 12.5-year anniversary coincided with the opening of Zeebrugge, so there was a ceremony in Zeebrugge, which was a real party. This closeness does make it difficult when someone passes away, it makes an impact.
I have always liked my job. I have worked at different locations and in different departments. The variety of the work and the workplace kept it fun. Van der Vlist is a good company and I like the stability they offer.
If I had to describe the organisation in 3 points, I would say that Van der Vlist:
It’s my hope that we can continue like this!
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