Father and son, Ronald and Ivo, both work as drivers at Axell Logistics. Ivo is the third generation, because grandfather Adrie also worked for Axell. We talked to them especially for Father’s Day.
Ronald was born in Rotterdam in 1967. In 1970 he moved with his parents to Etten-Leur. His father went to work for Transport Company In ‘t Veld. Like Timmermans, the Etten-Leur-based transport company had a strong focus on the paper sector at that time. In 1993 the takeover of In ‘t Veld takes place, at which time Ronald has been working with his father in the transport company for over 5 years. Ronald as a driver, his father working in the warehouse at the time. Not much later, in 1996, his father passes away.
Ronald always tells his children – as his father always told him – that they should have more ambition than him. But for both Ronald and Ivo, it didn’t work out that way. In fact, working in transportation was something Ronald was brought up on. During vacations as a child, he went along on the truck with his father and also Ivo did the same with Ronald. Almost as a matter of course, Ivo (21) will also work at Axell. As a child, he had mirrors on his go-kart with trailer, air hoses were ‘linked’ and he was busy practicing driving backwards and maneuvering in all the alleys around the house. Ronald says he sees a lot of himself in Ivo. Right from the start, how he acts, how he handles things. The drive, really everything. He just looks a little younger. 😉 Meanwhile, Ivo has been working at Axell for 4,5 years. He started as an apprentice and now he has been working under contract for two years.
The main reason they work at Axell is the family feeling. They are not a number here, they are called by name and not for example car 274. They feel that very strongly. In ‘t Veld was also a family business; Ronald is still in touch with his previous employer. He had the opportunity there to do what he always wanted to do and that didn’t change with the takeover. Because his father worked here, Ronald came there from an early age. He has seen everything in those 26 years. The company feels familiar, he knows everyone and everyone knows him. Ivo rolled into it the same way. So for Ivo, his father and his grandfather are his biggest inspiration, even though Ivo never knew his grandfather. He even indicates that there is no other company where he would want to work.
Things have changed over the years, of course. Instead of just cardboard, Axell Logistics now drives for Kwantum, Bijenkorf and Riho. And even though the location for Ronald and Ivo is Etten-Leur, they are well known to most of their colleagues, including in Diessen. They emphasize once again the important core values that you also feel with family, being there for each other and doing something for the other. Even after they clock out, they can easily hang around for another 2 hours to help other colleagues.
One of the best moments they experienced together at Axell was a once in a lifetime experience. Ivo comes from the direction of Rotterdam, Ronald from Tilburg. Both are driving in their own cars. They take the exit to Etten-leur and meet there unaware of each other. They drive side by side, look up and see each other. A feeling of pride prevails. Proud of each other, what they have achieved and what they are doing. In addition, Ivo mentions that he is proud to be one of the faces of Axell. In the new recruitment campaign he is one of the figureheads, you see his face everywhere.
Finally, Ronald adds that you have to believe in yourself and keep following your dreams. Leave everyone in their values, be loyal and treat everyone like family. That’s the most important thing there is.