Start the day together..

for sixteen years, Etienne Hanssen worked in the hospitality industry, working his way up from kitchen assistant to head chef. When corona broke out, he decided to change course. Attracted by the offer to get his C driving licence through the Nedlin Drivers Academy, he entered the company as a driver. “I found anything that drives and anything to do with engineering interesting.” 

During his time with the box truck, there were several fleet managers. But Etienne felt things could be better: the trucks could be cleaner, the technology more in order. “If you ask me, if things can be improved and it doesn’t happen, try it yourself. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” And so Etienne asked Nedlin if he could do fleet management. 

He already had leadership experience. After a short onboarding period, the job was his. Now he shares his workplace with Dylan. And that suits him just fine. “Dylan and I get along well. Together, we support the drivers and do what is necessary to complete the story.” The move to Nedlin also worked out well privately. “It’s nice to have a job that fits better with your family, so you see each other more often.” 

And the future? “The sky is the limit. If I can continue to grow or learn, I will not shy away from any challenge. I also enjoy working with my hands from time to time. So my next step could be in transport, but it could also be something in manufacturing that involves engineering. As long as it doesn’t involve finances. Other than that, I say: Bring it on!”

Dylan Bessems joined Nedlin as a driver. But driving was ‘not at all’ his thing. He would much rather be with the customer, lugging laundry carts. When an offer came to get his CE driving licence, he turned it down without hesitation. “I thought: they are nuts. I already didn’t like driving a box truck, let alone a tractor semi-trailer.” Later, he was asked to become a transport planner. “Then I immediately took the plunge.” 

As a transport planner, Dylan immediately decided to make his own mark. “The people and our communication are very important to me. To me, that’s really number one.” What also helps is that Etienne and Dylan both drove the trucks themselves. “We know what the drivers have to do, they know that we have done the work too. And that if we ask something of them, we stand by it.” 

Is a driver in trouble? Then Dylan and Etienne are always available. They can also reach out to each other themselves. Dylan: “We ask each other for help and can say anything to each other. And if something comes up, it’s sorted out immediately”. Quite convenient when you share an office together as well as responsibility for the ins and outs of some 60 drivers. Laughing: “I spend more time with Etienne than with my girlfriend!”. 

Whether he has any future plans? “The more steps, the better. I don’t want to replace anyone, let that be clear, but the most obvious step, of course, is the position of our own manager.” He hesitates for a moment. “People always call me crazy. But work really is a hobby of mine. I really, really enjoy being here.”