TJEU SCHAEKEN

There are few employees at VDL Staalservice who know the company as well as Tjeu, who celebrated his forty-year anniversary at the steel company from Weert last November.

Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what role you fulfill within VDL Staalservice?

“My name is Tjeu Schaeken and I am a quality technician at VDL Staalservice. My role involves preparing documentation for defense, concerning armor steel. I develop measurement programs for products of all sizes. I started as an autogenous cutter of plates and have developed over the years into setting up a quality department, beginning with an internship at VD Leegte Metaal in the 1990s.”

What has prompted you to stay working at VDL Staalservice for these 40 years?

“The diversity of tasks and the unpredictability of each day keep the work interesting. No two days are the same, and that makes the work enjoyable. The corporate culture feels like a family, with short lines of communication, not only within Staalservice but across the entire VDL Groep. VDL is always there for its employees, in good times and bad.”

What changes have you seen in the factory over the years and how has VDL Staalservice developed?

"The tolerances have improved from 4-5mm to a few tenths, demonstrating a huge improvement in precision. Specializations such as the punching machine have become obsolete due to new technologies like laser. The machinery has become smaller but more accurate, and we have developed more towards welding."

How has VDL Staalservice supported your professional growth and development?

"VDL Staalservice has supported my growth by giving me the opportunity to set up a new department and gain experience at VD Leegte Metaal. I have also worked as a practical supervisor to train apprentices within VDL Staalservice."

What do you appreciate the most about the company culture at VDL Staalservice?

"I most appreciate the short lines of communication and the close collaboration within the company. It is a culture that is visible throughout the entire company."

Which project or achievement are you proud of?

“The project I am most proud of is collaborating on the manufacturing of armor plating for military vehicles. In a very short period, we managed to get the project successfully off the ground, which made it an unforgettable experience.”

How has VDL Staalservice ensured a good work-life balance?

“I have learned not to take my work home with me. The work stays at work, but I make sure that what is promised is also completed. For example, we once had to deliver a product that had to be ready the very next day. That meant waking up at half past three in the middle of the night, setting the alarm, and going to the factory to check the quality and tolerances of the work just completed by colleagues. So that the product could be shipped to the customer later that morning.”

What would you like to say to new employees who are just starting at VDL Staalservice?

"Ensure you do your work well. Proper preparation is half the battle. Be aware of our capabilities, right from the preliminary stages—this is something everyone should be conscious of. After 40 years at VDL Staalservice, I can proudly say that it has been a journey I would not have missed for the world. I look forward to what the future still has in store."