Then and now: Walter Oude Vrielink

For over three decades, Walter Oude Vrielink has been a familiar face at Heisterkamp. What began with a childhood fascination for trucks grew into a career full of development, change, and above all, enjoyment in his work.

How did your career at Heisterkamp begin?
“When I was about five or six years old, I used to ride along in the truck with my uncle Joep at Heisterkamp. That’s when my love for trucks started,” Walter recalls. “Not that I immediately wanted to become a driver, but I knew: I want to do something in transport.”

“I’ve been working here for over 32 years now. I started as a vehicle planner. Back then, that was still a separate role, you would schedule the drivers and trucks, while the commercial planner handled customer contact. Later, I became a commercial planner myself, and now we combine those roles. That works really well, you're much closer to both the drivers and the customers, without an extra link in between.”

What was the job like in the beginning?
“When I started, we didn’t have mobile phones yet. You can’t imagine that now,” Walter laughs. “We once had a driver on his way from Barcelona to Oldenzaal. He happened to call us when passing Paris, and ten minutes later the customer wanted him to turn around and head to Bordeaux. But he was already gone. You couldn’t do anything until he was back in Oldenzaal.”

“The arrival of mobile phones and GPS changed the job enormously. It’s become easier, but also stricter. Customers can see exactly where the driver is. That makes things more transparent, but also more challenging at times. And when the system is down, which luckily doesn’t happen often, you suddenly feel blind and deaf. In the old days, you just had your phone list at hand.”

"The technology has changed, but the mindset has stayed the same: working together, shoulder to shoulder, with respect for one another. That’s what has made Heisterkamp my home for 32 years."

Walter Oude Vrielink - Planner Heisterkamp Transport

Has technology made your job easier?
“In some ways, yes, but in other ways, no. In the past, you just entered the orders, but now there’s a lot more administration involved. You have to enter order numbers and invoice details correctly, and you’re responsible for the entire process, from planning to invoicing.”

“The job has become broader, but also more efficient. We used to be on the phone all day with drivers and customers. Now, you can see everything at a glance in the system. That saves a lot of time.”

What does your team look like?
“We’re a close-knit group,” says Walter. “Most of us have known each other for years, and we all come from the same area in Twente. We understand each other, even in dialect, and that creates a bond. We work hard, but there’s always room for a chat or a joke. That makes it fun.”

“Over the years, I’ve also worked with so many drivers. Some of them I’ve known for decades. We talk almost every day, and even though we sometimes disagree, that’s just part of it, we always make sure the planning works out together. Without the drivers, nothing would move. Their work goes on 24/7, and I have huge respect for that. They’re always ready, no matter what happens. That dedication really deserves appreciation.”

Has the atmosphere at Heisterkamp changed over the years?
“No, not really,” Walter says firmly. “And that’s what I love most about Heisterkamp. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere has never changed. You work hard, but there’s always room for a joke. And because so many people have been here for so long, it almost feels like family.”

After 32 years, one thing is clear: the passion for transport, the connection with colleagues and drivers, and the down-to-earth Twente spirit are what keep Walter Oude Vrielink feeling right at home at Heisterkamp.