The key benefit for our customers is that we provide attractive financing options for their fleet requirements and complement these with value added maintenance and repair services to ensure the highest degree of continuity in their logistical processes and supply chain.

 

With approximately 70,000 units in our fleet, a diverse portfolio of trailers and tankers and our geographical footprint; we are able to swiftly meet customer needs. We also provide maintenance and repair services for customer- owned fleet whether on location at TIP Trailer Services or through our network of mobile service units. Many of our customers focus on a single discipline like leasing, rental or maintenance. TIP Trailer Services are experts in providing all services that a customer will require during the life cycle of the trailer; making it a one stop shop for all customers’ equipment needs.

 

 

There a number of challenges inherently related to our industry like interest rate levels, performance of domestic economies, international trade and environmental matters. We typically refinance our business periodically to lock in favourable financing terms, which allows us to provide attractive finance options to our customers. The performance of domestic economies and international trade is typically a capacity discussion. We continuously monitor economic development and, where needed, rebalance the composition of our fleet including remarketing to markets where we do not have a physical presence.

 

 

We subscribed to the UN Global Compact principles last year to put TIP Trailer Services key focus areas into a framework. Two of these key areas where we have solid experience and perform a market leading role are:

 

”¢ Within Environmental and Health and Safety programs - in particular to ensure workplace and employee wellbeing and safety.

”¢ We are also the founder and lead member of the European Transport Board (ETB), a group of leading European transport and logistics providers which together represent a significant part of the industry with almost 300,000 trailers in their combined fleets. The ETB’s goal is to share insight and solutions that solve common issues which transcend country borders and individual needs. The ETB’S mission specifically aims to reduce environmental impact, reduction congestion from road transport, increase road safety and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the industry.

 

 

The entrepreneurial and high energy spirit among colleagues to get the best deal for our customers. The business focus is key, and this is fully aligned on the finance and tax side.

 

 

At university (fiscal economics), I enjoyed combining the complexity of international tax with a strong finance angle.

Looking back through your established career, what would you identify as a personal highlight?

 

Overall in any position I have worked in, I have learnt that my key strength is to operate in greenfield circumstances where I can make something good from scratch. As a note, any position has greenfield elements or moves into greenfield areas so when you like it; get in front! This particularly became visible when I was asked to set up a global procurement organisation in Switzerland for a large bank and insurance organisation; working across 40+ countries and aligning internal stakeholders up to Executive Board level. It was the excitement from renting office space in Zurich, recruitment of procurement staff, putting systems and global processes in place up to hosting roadshows in Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Atlanta to align regional and local procurement organisations. Extremely hectic. It was a personal milestone as it demonstrated that I could perform well in a highly demanding and complex environment with challenging business stakeholder and functional experts from the head office. 

 

 

When you want to learn something good after graduation, make sure you start with a business that has what you want to learn as part of its core business – so if you want to be an accountant, start with an accounting firm and build a few years’ experience. 

 

Your career progresses well when you do something you really like – so every now and then sit back and think about where you are going to end up if you continue with what you are doing now and what your driver is for doing it – it does not need to lead to a change but make sure there is a balance between who you are as a person and the work you do. Getting to know yourself better will give focus and acceleration to your career. Be sensitive to your limitations.

 

Listen to feedback at work and take it seriously – it tells you what you have to do to make it work with you and the company you are working for – if you can’t match it, it might not be the right fit.

 

 

Good listening skills with the ability to put yourself in the position of the other and being able to respond in a manner where you can filter the technical details; tailor the message for your audience. Ensure a timely delivery of the requested information with high quality and have a pro- active exchange of information. Be flexible on protecting your own interest.

 

 

Keep learning and being ” in motion”?, working closely with my team, bottom line results – business impact, efficiency and effectiveness, (being optimally organised) and exploring greenfield opportunities – building something good from scratch.

 

 

Le Corbusier – I was fascinated by the buildings he created and the impact he had on modern architecture.

 

 

Home Deus – Harari and De nieuwe zijdenroutes - Frankopan

 

 

I am very handy, in the past 20 years I have refurbished three houses; two myself and for the last one, I was the main constructor and architect where I managed all the construction companies to get our house from 1926 back in its original condition with a modern touch. I am often told I should start my own construction company!