Who is who: Our personnel are our most important assets

After completing his military service, Jeroen van Duuren officially joined the sales staff of Van Duuren on 1 November 1983. At the same time, he underwent training and worked in all the different departments. From being the age of fourteen, Jeroen had already gained experience in warehousing activities through having gone to work with his father during the school holidays. It quickly became clear that sales and marketing suited him best, and he decided to specialize further in this by going to evening classes.

The start of the Nederlandse Pakket Dienst in 1980 was a wonderful challenge. It was the first company in the Netherlands to orient itself on single package transport. Van Gend & Loos – then still part of the NS (Dutch Railways) – was the largest competitor. The start of Elektronika Expres in 1983 brought with it an entirely new discipline as specialization in a niche market: the audio and video business. This sector was then still run by 2000 small businesses, the ‘mom and pop stores’ as the Americans call them; nowadays the sector is almost entirely in the hands of chain outlets with central warehousing. Jeroen was attracted to the international side of the company and making contacts with (possible) foreign partners.
This international focus became the basis of the present-day company that is under the leadership of Jeroen and his brother Jasper. The brothers have now worked together for more than 25 years. “This collaboration goes without saying, since we complement one another so well. Furthermore, we have experienced the same high points and low points together. That makes our teamwork all the stronger,” says Jeroen.

His biggest challenge? Jeroen: “Making Van Duuren Districenters in the next twenty years the highest quality European distribution company.”

send Jeroen an e-mail: jeroen.van.duuren@vanduuren.nl or phone him via telephone number +31 (0)651 426021

Jasper van Duuren, after having studied business economics, joined Van Duuren in August 1985 as the head of administration & computerization. After this, he fulfilled various management functions, and after five years became financial director. Finally, in 1993 he and his brother Jeroen bought the shares of Van Duuren Districenters and he became joint managing director with his brother.

The company has grown considerably in the years that followed, the Warehousing division undergoing great growth and professionalization.
His biggest challenge? Jasper: “Searching for the best possible computerized solution for a logistic challenge.”

send Jasper an e-mail: jasper.van.duuren@vanduuren.com or phone him via telephone number +31 (0)651 426255

Wilma Labes began at Van Duuren in 1982 in the administration department, after having been the victim of the lottery system for places in higher vocational education. After five years of invoicing and administration, Wilma made a move to the accounts department. Here she also found herself involved in all the takeovers, name changes and all the joys and sorrows of the various Van Duuren companies.

In 2000 Van Duuren was taken over by GLS, and Wilma went to work in this company’s accounts department. However, when in 2004 Jasper and Jeroen van Duuren re-established today’s Van Duuren Districenters, Wilma came with them. “A good decision,” says Wilma.
Her greatest challenge? Wilma: “Ensuring that all the financial details are right at the end of the month, trying to keep the figures in the accounts receivable list as low as possible by sending out reminders and phoning people.”

Wilma can be reached on the following days: mon, tue, wed and thu via e-mail or phone.

Wietske Paus has worked since February 2018 at Van Duuren as an assistant in financial administration. After completing her study at the Hotel School in The Hague she worked for some time as credit controller. Her quest for a new challenge resulted in a position at Van Duuren.

Wietske says about working at Van Duuren: “I like the no-nonsense culture here and the diversity in my job. No one day is the same, and I also learn something new every day.”

Wietske can be reached on the following days: mon, tue, thu and fri via e-mail or phone.

Maria Stella began her career at Van Duuren in the summer of 1982 after meeting Jasper van Duuren. With an HEAO degree in Commercial Economics and a chef's degree, she also worked at two publishing companies and ran a catering company for more than eight years before returning.

She has worked in various departments and is currently business controller in the Finance department, where she co-manages procurement control.

Maria Stella: ''I appreciate the constant challenges of my job and enjoy exploring and improving processes.'' Outside of work, Maria Stella is passionate about cooking and creating clothes by sewing and knitting. Together with Jasper, she shares a love for travelling and photography.

Cordelia joined Van Duuren in November 2021. Before Cordelia joined Van Duuren she was employed by GLS. I was ready for a new challenge. I’ve always worked in transport, that’s where my heart is. That’s how I ended up at Van Duuren.

At the moment Cordelia is working on setting up a new department. Cordelia: “Together with my colleagues I hope to build a new department and give the administrative department a stable basis.

In her free time, Cordelia likes to do sports and you will regularly see her on her bike. ”I also like reading, music from the eighties, but I also like visiting an opera.”

I have a lot of experience in the logistics sector and guess what? Something that is always in motion provides plenty of surprise and its development keeps it exciting”, says Novella. She joined Van Duuren in 2019 after the takeover of Forel Logistiek. Initially she was involved at Customer Service but soon made the switch to Claims.

Novella about her work: ”I can really enjoy innovations within processes or the possibilities in the field of information services. I like to meet customers halfway. But above all, I like the friendly working environment and the family feeling best; for me, working is like visiting friends and that is worth its weight in gold!

Natasja Hidding started at Van Duuren in January 2018 as assistant planner, and has since become a member of the Inside Sales department.
Natasja comes from Russia, and at the university in Moscow studied Russian Language and Literature, where she graduated cum laude.

She first worked as a teacher, and then studied logistics, after which she worked for five years in the logistics department of a trading company. Natasja has lived in the Netherlands since 2013, and in January 2018 joined the team at Van Duuren.

About her work at Van Duuren Natasja says: “I really like it a lot here. The work is interesting and fun; my colleagues are kind and helpful, and they make me feel at home. Everyone is very enthusiastic. The people at Van Duuren love their work. I look in it as a challenge to develop further as a planner.”

Peter van Schie has worked as head of administration at Van Duuren since October 2004. Prior to joining Van Duurenhe worked for the tax authorities, in customs and VAT control. Peter says: ‘What I like about working for Van Duuren is everybody’s commitment to achieving a good end product, plus the informal atmosphere within the organization.’

Taib Mansouri has been a planner since February 2012 at Van Duuren Districenters. He studied HBO Business Economics and Commercial Economics, and before joining our team worked as Chief Planner and Account Manager at C van Heezik BV. Taib finds ‘the atmosphere, plus everyone’s approachability’ one of the major plus points at Van Duuren.

His challenge: “Helping to set up the line to Morocco. It helps to be able to speak the language. I also look on it as a challenge to fulfil the clients’ specific requirements and to provide them with a custom-made service.”

Justin has been working at Van Duuren since February 2023. He in started as a trainee and has been employed full-time since August.
Within Van Duuren he fulfils the role of planner and is mainly involved with incoming consignments from Italy. Recently he also started picking up consignments for Portugal and Spain.

Justin: ''What I like most about my job is the constant movement in logistics. There is always something going on, and I enjoy finding solutions and acting quickly, especially in cooperation with foreign partners.''

After studying Logistics Management at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Jochem started work at Van Duuren in Vianen straight away.

At Van Duuren, Jochem is responsible for European distribution, but at the moment he is particularly involved with consignments to Germany. Jochem: “After four years of theory, it’s great to finally be able to experience logistics in practice. With van Duuren having clients all over Europe (and beyond) it’s a great place to start. No day is the same, you’re always experiencing something different. It’s nice that van Duuren is a family business where you’re not just a number, and that’s why I made the choice to come and work here.

Since 2017 Sven van Duuren has been working for Van Duuren, where he had earlier gained experience in planning and customer support.

Sven rounded off his Bachelor’s in International Business Administration at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Last year he worked at Expeditors International at Schiphol in the planning and customs department. He finished his Master’s in Supply Chain Management at the Erasmus University.

Sven says of his work at Van Duuren: “My ambition lies in process optimization and analysis of the partner network. I would also like to work abroad for a while at one of our partners or their branches.”

Raymond de Ridder works at Van Duuren as manager purchasing & operations. He worked at Van Duuren between 2003 and 2011, rejoining the company in 2017. Raymond is involved in the whole operational process, dealing with the buying in of transport and with maintaining the contacts with the company’s partners. Before joining Van Duuren, Raymond had gained experience in the transport business at Westdijk Exceptioneel Transport and at Verkerk Transport. For the latter he had been active for four years in national and international planning.
Raymond’s views on his work at Van Duuren: ‘what I like about my job is that every day is different. And I really enjoy the constant challenge to do my job as well and efficiently as I can.’

Raymond can be reached on the following days: mon, tue, wednesday morning, thu and fri via e-mail or phone.

Roy Kinkhouwers is employed at Van Duuren as supervisor operations and planning for Spain and Portugal. He began his career at Van Duuren in June 2004, after he had joined the organization on an internship for his MBO study of Logistics Management.

In his work Roy ensures that the right trucks are available at the right place to deliver the consignments to the clients in a satisfactory manner. ‘There are new challenges every day, so no day is ever the same,’ he says. ‘What I also like about working here at Van Duuren Interport are the colleagues. There’s always a good atmosphere.’

Robin IJkelenstam has worked as logistics controller at Van Duuren since July 1999. Before joining Interport he had worked for other companies, including eight years at EL AL. At Van Duuren he is involved mainly in the planning for Germany, entering standard consignments and carrying out logistic controls. Robin says he is well suited for this second aspect of his work: ‘I’m very orderly by nature, and because of all my experience I also have a good insight into the work.’

Levy Visser joined Van Duuren in January 2022 as a planner for Spain and Portugal. Before joining Van Duuren Levy worked at Hellman as an airfreight forwarder.

About his work at Van Duuren, Levy says: ”My stepbrother worked at the former Interport a number of years ago and recommended this job to me. Until now I have had no complaints, because the solidarity in the office is very pleasant. It really feels as if I am part of a close family.

Joyce Santana Corujo Marsman has worked for Interport since 2011, and is responsible for customer care. She had previously worked in tourism in Spain for 24 years, the last eight of which were as front office manager in a 4-star hotel on Gran Canaria.
At Van Duuren Interport Joyce is primarily involved with checking that the trucks are running on schedule, that they are unloaded on time, and taking matters in hand if problems arise. What appeals most to Joyce about her job? ‘I especially like the fact that I have lots of contact with Spain. For me that feels like coming home.’

Gabriel Garcia Fernández works at Van Duuren as a customer support employee from October 2021. ”Before I started working at Van Duuren, I worked at two international companies as a customer support employee. Laura, a good friend of mine recommended this position to me.”

About his work at Van Duuren Gabriel says: ”My colleagues are great. There’s a relaxed vibe here, which is totally different from what I was used to.”

In his free time Gabriel travels a lot. ”I love nature, so I always take my camera with me.”

Marion van Dijk has been working since September 2017 at Van Duuren as Supervisor Customer Support.

After her HBO study of Logistics Engineering in Amsterdam, Marion went to work at Blokker BV. She worked for this well-known retailer for seven years, holding various positions at their office in Geldermalsen and headquarters in Amsterdam.

About her position at Van Duuren Marion says: “I really like the fact that Van Duuren is a family business, with short lines of communication and the focus of attention on the clients and on service. The continually changing market means that there are many challenges to be faced, and that really appeals to me. My personal challenge is to inform our customers proactively, and to ensure that they are provided with a high level of service.”

Marion can be reached on the following days: mon, tue, thu and fri via e-mail or phone.

Monique has more than twenty-five years’ experience in logistics. Since the beginning of March 2022 she has been working at Van Duuren as an employee in the Customer Support department. I’ve done a lot of work in transport”, says Monique, who lives in Utrecht with her family. ”I enjoy assisting the client from the beginning to the end. Previously Monique worked for a transport company in the area. At Van Duuren we are there for each other as colleagues. I appreciate that.”

Wendy has worked in the customer support department at Van Duuren since March 2014. But she was no stranger to the company: she began with Van Duuren in 1996 in customer service. When the company was sold to GLS Wendy also went with it. As warehouse manager at GLS she was responsible for the administration of the storage. When asked if she would like to come back to Van Duuren, Wendy didn’t have to think twice: “Nothing has changed as regards the atmosphere. For me Van Duuren still has the same warm, familiar surroundings. It’s as if I’d never been away.”

Adriana Bucur has been working at van Duuren as a Customer Support employee from October 2022. She has a degree in language and communication in business administration and before this she worked in a call centre. ”I was looking for a new challenge and that’s how I ended up at van Duuren.”

Her motto? Adriana: ”Carpe diem, seize the day!”

Huub Janse has been working at Van Duuren as Manager Business Process Management since February 2023 and his responsibilities include bringing structure and insight to the BPM department.

Eric Dijkstra works as IT manager at Van Duuren. He also worked at Van Duuren from 1992 and 1996. He gained a great deal of ICT knowledge working for different companies, including at time at CBV, an IT company for the transport industry. From 2010 to 2015 he worked at a company that supplies transport software.

Eric likes to lead an active life, especially in his free time, with hobbies such as white water kayaking, tennis, cycling and golf. About his renewed acquaintanceship with Van Duuren and his present work Eric says: “What’s good about Van Duuren is that it’s an industry leader with a hunger for innovation. The company is always on the move, and it’s that dynamism that really appeals to me.”

Matthijs van Duuren joined Van Duuren as Sales Executive in February 2023, where he focuses mainly on new business, with a specific focus on LTL-FTL business.
Matthijs: ''The friendly and familiar atmosphere makes it so pleasant to work together. Everyone is always there for each other.''

Before his time at Van Duuren, Matthijs had experience as Inside Sales at TIP Trailer Services and as Account Manager at Instabox, where he helped build up a parcel locker network in the Netherlands.

What Matthijs enjoys most about his work is thinking creatively about solutions for customers and constantly learning new things. He sees the endless transport possibilities in Europe as a source of constant challenge and inspiration.

Carla first worked at Interport and after the takeover at Van Duuren’s office in Barcelona.

After her VWO and Schoevers education, she ended up in the airfreight industry in 1985, living next to Schiphol Airport. Carla worked for several freight forwarders and the Spanish airline Iberia. After that she was co-owner of Interport for 11 years. After a short trip to healthcare, Carla returned to Interport and managed the office in Barcelona for several years. From the beginning of Interport, she was concerned with quality and safety, and she continues to be so after the takeover by Van Duuren.

Carla is also a security consultant for air freight, because Van Duuren transports a lot of air freight by road. Recently, she also became account manager for (air cargo) customers. “This variety of work suits me well,” says Carla herself about her many-sided job.

Carla can be reached on the following days: mon, tue, wed and thu via e-mail: carla.vanoostveen@vanduuren.nl or phone +34 681100327

Khalid has worked at Van Duuren since 2014 in various positions and moved up to Account Manager.

He graduated from Hogeschool Rotterdam, where he completed the HBO course Communication & Marketing. He also followed a programme in Logistics & Supply Chain Management at Erasmus University for a short period.

About his work Khalid says: ”This fantastic company is constantly changing and I am delighted that I can contribute to this by always thinking in terms of solutions for our customers and colleagues. The energy that comes from this is priceless!”

Send Khalid an e-mail khalid.elyouzghi@vanduuren.com or phone him via telephone number + 31 (0)20 2159103

Mandy Tas has been working at Van Duuren since December 2018. Mandy started out as Assistant Planner, dealing with imports from Italy, and since July 2021 has been working in the Inside Sales department.

Before joining our company Mandy did two studies in the public health sector: physiotherapy and human movement sciences. However, this did not lead to the dream job she had expected and she decided to look for a challenging career elsewhere.

‘The world of logistics is new to me,’ says Mandy. ‘What I like about it is that every day brings something different, and there are a multitude of tasks within my responsibilities. And I really enjoy working with my colleagues. We all work together to do our very best for our customers. I also find the atmosphere very pleasant at Van Duuren; everyone is ready to help. I hope that I can further develop my skills as a planner.’

Outside work, Mandy is a fanatical sportswoman. She plays handball at HV Nieuwegein DS1. She also trains juniors at the Handbalschool Utrecht, and she enjoys watching live sporting events on TV.

Nick van den Bosch joined Van Duuren at the beginning of 2011 as sales assistant. Prior to this Nick had for a long time been the owner of a luxury menswear shop after previously having had various managerial positions in retail. Nick experiences the informal atmosphere and good mutual contact at Van Duuren as very positive.

His challenge: “Ensuring that everything is covered right down to the last detail, and in the background making sure that my colleagues in the foreground are able to do their work to their and the clients’ satisfaction.”

Nick can be reached on the following days: mondaymorning, tuesdaymorning and thursdaymorning via e-mail or phone.

Az de Groot came to the Netherlands in 1988 from Malaysia. Prior to this she had worked at Mattel, in a department where the Barbie dolls were made. In 2000 Az started working at Van Duuren in the warehouse. She later left to join GLS to do the same job, but since 2007 is back with us at Van Duuren. Her current work includes organizing the tea and coffee and lunch, collecting the post, documenting the CMRs and registering returns from Diesel. Her challenge? Az: “Keeping everyone satisfied and happy. If everyone at Van Duuren is happy, then I am too!”

Az can be reached on the following days:
Mon: 9:00 – 16:00
Tue: 9:00 – 16:00
Wed: 9:30 – 16:00
Thu: 9:00 – 16:00
Fri: 7:00 – 14:00

Naomi can be reached via e-mail: naomi.meester@vanduuren.com or call +31 (0)347 753888.

Bjorn van der Horst has been working at Van Duuren as an domestic planner since April 2023. He is mainly concerned with all deliveries and collections within the Benelux.

After finishing school he went straight into the work field with the motto: ‘practice is the best teacher’.
Bjorn likes working in a team at Van Duuren. ”No day is the same at Van Duuren.”

David has been working at Van Duuren since December 2018. David is responsible for all export consignments and his duties include loading, unloading and checking the vehicles.

Before David started working at Van Duuren, he did a security study in the past. In security I couldn’t put my energy into it, and transport has always appealed to me, so the move was a logical choice.”, says David. David tells us. About his current job, he says: ”The best thing about export shipments is the control moments. I also like puzzling the trailers together, it’s like playing Tetris.

In his spare time, David likes to play football with his friends.

Theo Westerhout has been working as a logistic employee at Van Duuren from July 2018. Theo is mainly engaged in loading, unloading and processing incoming and outgoing cargo.

Theo has been working in transport for 34 years. He has experience with planning and was previously also a driver and warehouse employee.

“My main challenge is to grow in the company,” says Theo about his work at Van Duuren.

Jeffrey van Sprengen started working for Forel in 2014, which merged with Van Duuren. His activities include receiving and processing shipments for foreign countries and returns. He also performs various activities with LIS. Where necessary, Jeffrey also assists with other activities in the warehouse.

Before Jeffrey joined us, he worked for various clients in logistics, including Van de Scheur Logistiek and Albert delivery service.

“One of the nice things about my job at Van Duuren is that I have to deal with many different languages and cultures. Every day I get to know people from different countries,” says Jeffrey: “Shipments from all over the world come together at the warehouse in Vianen. I find it very interesting to see what kind of goods end up with the customer.

I am very happy with my role within the company and would like to develop myself further. There is plenty of opportunity for that here too. All my colleagues are always willing to help and I have learned a lot in recent years”.

André Jonker has been working at Van Duuren as a warehouse employee since 2000. He is mainly engaged in loading and unloading lorries and processing freight. Prior to joining us, André worked in a printing company.

“The nice thing about my job is that it is very varied, no day is the same”, says André.

Cees van Antwerpen works as a logistic employee at Van Duuren. Cees joined us in 1994. He moved with the then company to GLS and rejoined Forel Logistiek in 2016, later Van Duuren. Theo’s work consists of loading and unloading goods, sticking and putting the goods in the right place.

Before he started working, Cees obtained his LTS diploma and three certificates from the MTS.

“The best thing about my job is working in a team”, says Cees: “You do it together and you can’t do it without the warehouse, the office and the drivers”.

Remco Ipenburg has been working for Van Duuren since December 2006, and due to his position as fleet manager he regularly changes between the Badhoevedorp, Vianen and Romania offices.

Remco manages the team in Romania and is responsible for all the trailers and Romanian charters within Van Duuren. He also monitors the operational processes, is involved in client performances and is the pivot between sales and operations.

Remco says about his work at Van Duuren: “The pleasant atmosphere is an important factor, which makes me come to work every day with a good feeling. I really like the family feeling that exists within the company. Apart from that, no day is the same, and that provides a challenge for my work.

Calin was born in a small mountain town in Romania. ”It’s funny how sometimes life takes you down a path you didn’t expect.” Tells Calin. ”My father had a small transport company with 3 trucks and I never had the idea that I would be working with trucks later in life.”

A friend asked me for a position as a shipping clerk at a transport company. ”I went to the interview for fun and initially turned down the offer, but in my head the idea began to grow that maybe it was something I would like to do.” From there, Calin accepted the offer and that was his start in the transport sector.

About his work at Van Duuren, Calin says: ”I am very happy and lucky to be working in this great team and to be part of the Van Duuren family.”

Roman Surdu was born in Moldova. ”I had a wonderful childhood but I faced some challenges in my adolescence.” he tells about his childhood. When Roman was fifteen he moved to Romania. ”That gave me an impetus to move on and find my own way.” Roman further explains. ”My high school, college and work were the stages I went through like everyone else. But the difference is that I’ve been to a lot of places.”

Roman has been a dishwasher in the U.S., tiler in Germany and currently he is a Dispatcher in Romania. ”It is said about an archer that as an archer he never fails to hit his target. In my case at Van Duuren, the target was hit, the ultimate goal was achieved.” Tells he proudly. ”I’m on a great team, which really feels like family.” The life motto he lives by is “remember why you started.”