Forty-five years with the same employer – it’s a rarity these days. Yet at Vroom, we are celebrating several anniversaries this year of employees who have dedicated decades to the company. One of them is Edam native Fred Klaver, who marks his 45-year anniversary this month.
Fred actually started working at Vroom by chance. ‘As a teenager, I did holiday work for a contracting company, delivering concrete piles by tractor to Vroom’s construction sites in the area. I ended up spending more and more time there whenever I didn’t have to be at school and found the work fascinating. After finishing four years of secondary retail school and two years of technical education (LTS), I was done with studying. I had no desire to continue learning. That’s when I joined Vroom.’
First Project
Fred can no longer recall his very first project, but he does have fond memories of working with Sjaak Pronk. ‘I spent the first five years working beneath the piling rig. It was tough work, but I enjoyed it and the pay was good. Sjaak was the crane operator and I worked below him. But he also liked working below sometimes, so we’d often swap roles. I thought that was great. It made the work more enjoyable, more varied, and more responsible. I worked with Sjaak for three years and look back on that time with great pleasure.’
Eventually, he moved from working under the crane to operating it. ‘That too happened by chance. I enjoyed the job as a crane operator, and Vroom noticed that. It did mean I had to go back to school, but it wasn’t too bad. When you enjoy something, it’s easier to learn. I picked up the practical side on site, and studied the theory in the evenings through the infrastructure course at SOMA College.’
No Such Thing as “No”
Fred believes it’s only logical that he’s been with Vroom for 45 years. ‘I’ve always enjoyed my work here. It’s always been a great atmosphere. Vroom has traditionally been a family business, and it still feels that way. The Vroom family never felt like employers. Communication lines are short, and together we ensure the job is done well and on time. I’ve always been given a lot of freedom – though you have to earn that, of course. If something wasn’t up to standard, you’d hear about it straight away. I like that directness. The good part is: if you put in the effort, a lot is possible.’
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One thing is clear in this line of work, according to Fred: ‘“No” is not an option. Once a job is accepted, it has to be completed – one way or another. In the early days, you had to rely on yourself and your team on site. There was no calling someone for advice because mobile phones didn’t exist. If you’re working with the mindset that “no” is not an answer, you naturally become inventive and learn to think in solutions.’
Timber piles
Initially, Fred mostly worked as a crane operator on timber pile projects. ‘These were usually smaller jobs – houses, sheds, small bridges. I liked that because they were short-term projects, meaning you were working somewhere new each time. We travelled all over the country, and every project had its own unique challenges. The really small jobs, like foundations for extensions, we often did on weekends. We worked a lot in Volendam for those. Once the regular workweek ended on Friday afternoon, we’d be back at it for Vroom on Saturday. At first they’d ask politely, but after a while it became expected. It became normal to work six days a week, and the work at people’s homes was enjoyable – we were well looked after. And of course, the extra income came in handy with a young family. It was welcome holiday money.’
Of the 25 years he spent on site, Fred spent just one day in ‘lodgings’. ‘I really didn’t like having to stay somewhere else and not be home for dinner or sleep in my own bed. My wife Karin wasn’t happy about it either. I made that clear immediately, and it never happened again. Nowadays, staying on site is more common. Traffic is much worse now, and there are more traffic jams – and back then, you could drive a bit faster,’ Fred adds with a wink.
Project manager
About 20 years ago, Vroom asked Fred if he wanted to become a project manager. ‘I had to think about that because I still really enjoyed operating the crane. I agreed, on the condition that I could go back if it didn’t suit me. But then my nephew Niels took over my crane, and there was no going back. Luckily, I grew to enjoy this new role as well. In hindsight, it was a wise decision – the physical work was demanding, and I’m not getting any younger. This role is more sustainable physically. Most of my projects are in South Holland and Zeeland. I enjoy the intensity of projects in this region, though they can also be quite stressful.’
Changes
Fred has seen both the company and the job evolve. ‘In the past, agreements were made verbally – a man’s word was his bond. Nowadays, everything has to be documented to avoid disputes later. I’m not really the writing type, and all that emailing isn’t really my thing. In that sense, construction used to be more honest. You also notice it in collaboration on site. We used to finish the job together with the other contractors on the site. Now it’s more every company for itself. And the mentality has changed compared to 30 years ago.’
A lot has also changed when it comes to safety. ‘In a good way – attention to safety is important. The serious incidents, including two on my projects, stay with you. It makes you more alert, but it’s human nature to become complacent over time. That’s why it’s good that the focus on safety remains. It’s high-risk, and therefore responsible work, where you must not allow yourself to be distracted.’
‘Three Christmas trees until retirement’
Even after 45 years, Fred is still enthusiastic and motivated. ‘I still enjoy my work – otherwise I would have stopped long ago. Sure, it’s tough to wake up at five every morning, but I wouldn’t have wanted to do any other job. It’s physically demanding, but enjoyable work. You’re outside all day and have a great deal of freedom. In my spare time, I like to unwind in the garden, go for a bike ride or a boat trip. In three Christmas trees’ time, I’ll retire. Then I’ll have even more time for that – though I suspect my wife will have a list of chores waiting for me,’ Fred concludes with a smile.
