Tjeu Schaeken Kwaliteitsmedewerker

There are few employees at VDL Staalservice who know the company as well as Tjeu, who celebrated his fortieth anniversary at the steel company from Weert in November 2023.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what role you play within VDL Staalservice?

My name is Tjeu Schaeken and I am a Quality Employee at VDL Staalservice. My role involves preparing documentation for defense, concerning armored steel. I create measurement programs for products of all sizes. I started as an autogenous cutter of plates and over the years I have developed into setting up a quality department, starting with an internship at VD Leegte Metaal in the 1990s.

What has made you continue to work at VDL Staalservice during these 40 years?

The diversity of activities and the unpredictability of every day keep the work interesting. No day is the same, and that makes the work fun. The company culture feels like a family, with short lines, not only within Staalservice, but throughout the entire VDL Group. VDL is always there for its staff, in good times and bad.

What changes have you seen in the factory over the years and how has VDL Staalservice developed?

Tolerances have gone from 4-5mm to a few tenths, which shows a huge improvement in precision. Specializations such as the punching machine have become redundant due to new technologies such as the laser. The machine park has become smaller but more accurate, and we have developed more towards welding.

How has VDL Staalservice supported your professional growth and development?

VDL Staalservice supported my growth by giving me the opportunity to set up a new department and gain experience at VD Leegte Metaal. I have also worked as a practical supervisor to train students within VDL Staalservice.

What do you value most about the company culture at VDL Staalservice?

I value the short lines and close cooperation within the company the most. It is a culture that you see throughout the company.

What project are you most proud of?

The project I am most proud of is thinking about the production of armour plating for military vehicles. We managed to successfully complete the project in a very short time, which made it an unforgettable experience.

How has VDL Staalservice ensured a good work-life balance?

I have learned not to take my work home with me. The work stays at work, but I make sure that what is promised is also finished. For example, we once had to deliver a product that absolutely had to be ready the next day. That meant turning off the alarm clock in the middle of the night, at half past three, and going to the factory to check the work that colleagues had just completed for quality and tolerances so that the product could be sent to the customer that same morning.

What would you like to say to new employees who are just starting at VDL Staalservice?

Make sure you do your job well. Good preparation is half the battle. Be aware of our capabilities, even in the preliminary phase, that is something that everyone should be aware of. After 40 years at VDL Staalservice, I can proudly say that it has been a journey that I would not have missed for anything. I look forward to what the future will bring.