PROFILE BY SAM McKEOWN
Managing Director and business guru Rogier van der Linde, 34, is leading HIAB to success in a tough international marketplace.
“That’s where the infrastructure comes in. Without a strategic infrastructure based predominately on happy staff and investing in new systems, you can’t progress as a company – I’m confi dent Hiab is progressing.”
Now, Rogier has the new challenge of guiding the Hiab ship through the unknown seas of Brexit. He emphasised the need to invest in the service side and spoke about Hiab’s plans to open up new workshops in the Midlands and London.
Now living in Cheshire with his wife and two children, Rogier said: “Brexit happened four weeks before I started, and everyone was asking me what I thought was going to happen.
“I said that if the Financial Times doesn’t know, how would I?
“But I don’t feel worried. That’s the beauty of life – to step into the unknown and crisis breeds opportunity.
“Admittedly, July 2016 was tough because our orders fell by 40%. Since then we’ve adapted and become wiser through fl exibility, which is important when managing through uncertainty.”
A proactive approach, open communication and honesty – according to Rogier, these were all key aspects to his success in Sweden and something he now wants to implement to the Hiab’s Ellesmere-based branch.
He said: “I’m from the Netherlands, so I’m quite a blunt and direct guy and if there’s something I don’t agree with I’ll make it known.
“During my time in the UK, I’ve realised there’s more of a boss- has-fi nal-say culture compared to Sweden, where there’s a participation culture. That’s something I’ve had to get used to.
“I’m trying to break that down to give a platform to everyone and hopefully encourage fl air within the company, because I’m now working with people who’ve been with Hiab since before I was born! Surely, they’ll know better than me on certain aspects.”
Rogier spoke about his openness with Hiab’s staff by writing a personal blog to let the Hiab workforce get to know him indirectly due to the demands of the job. As well as writing a
@SkipHireMag SHM July, 2017 53
weekly blog, Rogier has a passion for cars, American football and health. He recently bought a new bicycle to ride Scotland’s coast- to-coast challenge with his friends. However, Rogier made it clear that he would not be where he is today if it weren’t for his family, who provide strong backing for his successfull business career.
“A strong partnership pushes you to put attention into what’s important, set priorities – everyone needs that,” he said.
“And that’s where the life-work balance comes from. It’s all about strategy execution and my family are the foundation behind that.”
Lastly, Rogier mentioned his favourite Hiab product, admitting he has a soft spot for the new and eff ective JONSERED 1200RS.
Rogier concluded: “I like the J 1200RS, which isn’t the easiest to sell, but that’s what I love about it. It’s a challenge, and is a machine that represents the current time – plus it’s the nicest looking.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
