Working in the GWW? That will get you further in Weert!

Loyal readers of this magazine have in recent years been able to read about the growth that Saes International BV in Weert has experienced. A growth that continued to be so strong that owner Henk Saes took the wise decision to put the management in the hands of a capable Management Team. Since then, Erwin Broens, member of the board, Remco van der Winkel, general manager, and Jeroen Hornman, sales manager, have been faced with the task of pushing Saes even further up the ladder. And they are succeeding.

With the recently opened branch in Tienen, Belgium, Saes is showing its desire to be close to its Belgian customers as well. The rental program at Saes is larger than ever before and ranges from small demolition tools, a complete mid-range to the very largest pieces of equipment available. We speak with Jeroen Hornman about the company's growth plans.

Service with the capital 'S'

Saes has reached the status of no longer having to "go out on the farm" to select the best brands themselves; the brands come to Weert. "We are known for the service and support we offer our customers," Hornman says. "That makes us extremely interesting for brands that depend on a good piece of service and advice around their products because of their good name. Saes provides that service and that is why we are that valuable partner who upholds the 'honor' of the brand in question. It is not for nothing that customers find with us top equipment from brands such as Epiroc, Erkat, LaBounty, VTN , Saes products and Xcentric Ripper. Due to constant growth, we are now also present in Belgium with premises in Tienen and construction plans are unfolding in Weert."

The expansion is one proof of its success, but it also brings a challenge, Hornman said. "We have the the best brands, the best service, the space, the knowledge ... but with the planned growth, we also need the people with whom we can continue to deliver it all to our customers. And that's currently where the bottleneck was. Our employees like to go the extra mile for our customers and that simply takes time. If the growth continues as planned, we will run out of capacity. That is why we have already recruited new staff, enthusiastic people with a feel for technology, whom we can further train within our own ranks to become Saes craftsmen if necessary."

Unknown makes unloved

So doesn't Saes relate to the universal problem currently facing the world of engineering? Young people are not likely to choose a technical profession anymore, and certainly not if there is the idea of getting their hands dirty. Hornman agrees. "That's why we have contact with technical schools and we think it's important to show through this very channel that choosing a job in engineering is not dirty work. That working for us means that, with collegial support, you can become a professional who is proud of his or her work. Last but not least, young people complain bitterly about how they are treated in today's job market. However, if you choose engineering in general and Saes in particular, you are in the right place. We are a stable company with a bright future ahead of us. If you like to have security for the future, build it with Saes."

Despite the staff already recruited, Saes likes to take the opportunity to invite people with a technical background or education to get in touch. Contact details can be found in the advertisement elsewhere in this magazine. So: interested in a top job in a world where no day is the same? Then let's hear from you!