Meet the colleague: Jaap de Vries

At Heisterkamp, no two days are the same. Jaap de Vries, Manager of Fleet Solutions, experiences this firsthand. In this interview, he shares how he and his team come up with creative solutions for customers every day, why maintaining professionalism in a tough transport industry is so important, and which remarkable situations have stayed with him.

Can you briefly introduce yourself?
"My name is Jaap de Vries, and I am the Manager of Fleet Solutions. I started in January 2024. Fleet Solutions is a new division within Heisterkamp, mainly focused on maintaining our trailer rental fleet across Europe.
What I enjoy most about my job is the variety. No two days are the same. It is a very dynamic role, and I get to work with a professional and fun team. Our group is diverse in age, from younger colleagues to those with more experience, but it blends together really well. Everyone is there for each other, also when working with our colleagues in Germany, Sweden and Belgium."

What advice would you give to someone stepping into your role?
"My biggest piece of advice would be to avoid micromanagement. If you are not careful, you will spend all your time putting out fires and letting others set your agenda. Sales brings in dozens of questions every day, and operations come with their own challenges. It is important not to chase after every single issue but to keep an overview and stay in control.
It is also valuable to get to know the organization well. Not just the professional connections, but the personal ones too. At Heisterkamp, there are often friendships or even family ties. I see that as a strength, but it helps to understand how these relationships are intertwined."

What inspires you in your daily work?
"For me, it is all about solving problems for our customers and motivating my team. There is always pressure: trailers on the road, repairs, breakdowns or damages.
Sometimes customers communicate very directly or even bluntly. The challenge is to show colleagues that a different approach can often lead to a different outcome. In that way, they grow not only in their professional role but also gain valuable experience for their personal lives. That is what makes this work so meaningful to me."

"Solving problems for customers and motivating my team is what makes this work truly meaningful."

Jaap de Vries - Manager Fleet Solutions

How would you describe yourself in three words?
"I would say driven, attentive and solution-oriented. Fleet Solutions is all about finding solutions. Sometimes you face parts that are unavailable for weeks or regions without a service network. You still need to find a way to help the customer, and that is what gives me energy."

Can you share an example of a remarkable or challenging situation?
"About half a year ago we received a report of a car that had crashed into the back of a stationary trailer. Unfortunately, the driver did not survive. In such cases the insurance company gets involved, and you need to prove why the trailer was standing still and whether all safety measures were taken. On a business level you handle it professionally, but on a human level it really affects you.
Another example is a customer in Norway who needed a bulk load leveled out. The workshop could not find a solution, so they put four mechanics in a van. They drove three hours, leveled the load by hand and then drove back. It turned out this happened every week. Old-fashioned maybe, but effective. The customer was happy to pay, as long as his problem was solved."

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
"My energy comes from four passions: running, skiing, Formula 1 and FC Twente.
Running keeps me sharp and fit, and it is the perfect way to clear my mind. Skiing gives me the feeling of speed and freedom in the mountains. Formula 1 brings excitement and strategy, with every race being a spectacle. And then there is FC Twente, my club and our pride. The atmosphere in the stadium and the fight on the pitch make every match special. For me, it is the perfect balance between being active myself and enjoying top-level sports."

Jaap’s workday soundtrack
🎧 Sound of Silence - Disturbed
🎧 Where the Streets Have No Name – U2
🎧 Love on the Brain – Rihanna

If you could switch roles with someone at Heisterkamp, who would it be?
"With someone from the IT department, for example Tom van Noort. Many people do not realize how many attempts are made every day to hack our systems. IT does much more than most colleagues think. I would love to experience their world up close."

For Jaap, working at Heisterkamp is about more than trailers and maintenance. It is about teamwork, creative problem-solving and humanity in a sometimes tough industry. And that is exactly what makes every day different for him.