Forty years with the same employer: it’s not something you see often these days. Yet at Vroom Funderingstechnieken, we are celebrating multiple anniversaries this year of employees who’ve been with the company for decades. Like Jaap Bol from Warder, who celebrates his 40th anniversary this month.
Jaap is the textbook example of a craftsman with a passion for his work. Over the past forty years, he has held various positions. ‘On Sunday mornings, over coffee at Grandpa and Grandma Bol’s in Purmer, the conversation was always about Vroom. Many family members—my father and uncles—worked there at the time. I grew up with it, so it was only natural for me to start working at Vroom too. At one point, there were more Bol family members working at the company than Vroom family members,’ Jaap says with a laugh.
Like many of his colleagues, he started out under the pile driver. ‘From that role I moved on to measuring piles. I was asked if I wanted to become a crane operator, but not only did I not feel like going back to school, I also found it scary. I’ve done it a few times, sure, but sitting on that big machine and seeing the clouds move around the leader made me think it was tipping over. My son Youri does operate a crane, but it wasn’t for me, so I declined. Later I became a project manager, but that didn’t suit me either. I wanted to arrange and solve everything myself, while a project manager needs to delegate—and that’s not my strong suit. Luckily, at Vroom I can always be myself and do what I’m good at.’
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Mr. Perfectionist
For several years now, Jaap has worked as a quality inspector for cast-in-place piles and construction pits. ‘I check whether the foundation piles meet the standards and whether construction pits are safe to work in. That job gives me a lot of freedom. I travel all over the country and can plan my own day. I like to go the extra mile and I’m quite the perfectionist. If 100 piles need to be inspected, I want to inspect them all and make sure they’re truly up to standard. If a pile is buried under sand, I grab a shovel myself to dig it out. And if the top of the pile isn’t good enough, I adjust it so it passes inspection. I’ve always done this work, so I know how it’s done and I have the tools in my van. That’s faster than calling someone in and coming back a week later to inspect.’
Jaap also visits other foundation companies in his role as inspector. ‘That gives me great insight into how things are done elsewhere. I notice that Vroom always works efficiently and we work hard. We’re fast and reliable, and that’s why customers keep coming back. I think that’s also what helped us through tougher times. Vroom is a very stable employer because of that.’
Mentorship
Jaap knows almost everyone at Vroom, and he gets to know new hires right away. ‘I keep Fridays free to guide new employees. After the so-called car wash (where new employees receive important information and clothing, ed.) I take them on Fridays to visit different pile systems, and in the afternoon we go to the crew they’ll be working with on Monday. That way they can meet their new team and make arrangements about things like transportation and pickup times. Then I check in with them after two and six weeks, and again after three months to evaluate. I quickly notice whether someone is suited for the job and how things are going with the crew. It’s important that new employees are curious: ask questions, show interest, and you’ll naturally be welcomed into the team. This part of my job is a nice change from the inspection work. If there are no new employees, I schedule pile measurements on Fridays, and if I’m inspecting a site and there’s a new employee there, I often combine the evaluation. That drive for efficiency is just part of me—I don’t like wasting time. I’d rather work a bit longer if it means the job gets done. But sometimes I get lucky and can head home a bit earlier. It’s give and take, and Vroom understands that very well.’
Hands-on Type
Like many Vroom employees, Jaap isn’t one to sit still. ‘I’m a hands-on type, not a desk guy. Of course, I use the computer to record inspections, but I prefer being outside, working with my hands. Construction is where it happens, that’s where my heart lies. I like working alone, but I also enjoy the camaraderie and join my colleagues for coffee in the site hut. When things are quieter with measurements, you’ll find me at the yard in Middelie or Beemster. There’s always work to be done there, and I prefer anything over doing nothing. Let me be useful, make progress, and come up with solutions—that’s when I’m in my element.’
Busy Bee
That hard work continues at home, sometimes to the dismay of his wife Corine. ‘I don’t say no easily, and she’s not always happy about that. We’ve lived in Warder nearly all our lives and I’m active in village life. I make sure the outdoor pool in Warder gets mowed, I’m chairman of the sports church which serves many functions, I cut trees and fix roof tiles after storms, I do odd jobs for elderly people and I’m a mole catcher in the Warder area. After a long day at work, there’s nothing better than walking into the polder to clear my head and check the traps in the fields. If I come across meadow bird nests in spring, I mark them right away. The farmer gets paid for that. So I earn myself back again. These days, our grandchildren also keep me busy. Yes, being a grandpa is truly wonderful.’
Pride
Jaap has a few more years to go before retirement. ‘Whether I’ll use the heavy labor scheme, I’ll decide when the time comes. For now, I still enjoy my work and I’m healthy, so I’ll keep going. What tip do I have for colleagues? When I’ve delivered a construction pit and look back, I think: we did a great job. Beautiful piles, everything to spec and on time. Happy client, happy me. I sometimes miss that in colleagues and I want to pass it on: be proud of what you build. Because when you’re proud of your work, others will appreciate it too.’
