Niels Garvelink (26) was born and raised in Winterswijk. Seven years ago, he joined Prinzen in Aalten for the first time. As an intern, he combined work with study. Once he had completed his training, he was ready to start working on the shop floor. However, his foreman at the time gave him a little nudge to continue his studies, and Niels decided to enrol on the Level 4 BBL course in Mechatronics.
A passion for electrical engineering
During his education, Niels was introduced to all sorts of techniques. “It was a great mix: mechanical, electrical and a bit of machining here and there. But even back then, I had a particular fondness for electrical engineering.” As part of his studies, he had to complete several work placements. After two placements at other companies, he ended up at Prinzen. And he’s never left since. Niels: “I had to do a total of six work placements as part of my studies. After two different companies, I ended up at Prinzen. I enjoyed it so much that I haven’t been anywhere else since.” Why? He doesn’t need to think long about that. Niels reflects: “The culture appealed to me straight away. I’d already seen other places, and although the work was great everywhere, the atmosphere didn’t always suit me. What’s more, Prinzen has the friendliness of a small company, but also the advantages of a large one. Everything is well organised and there are plenty of opportunities.”
With a caring heart in After Sales
Although he started on the shop floor, Niels now works in the office in the After Sales department. That move actually happened quite naturally, he explains: “I sort of fell into it. I was asked if I’d be willing to step in temporarily to cover for a colleague who was going on maternity leave, and that’s how it all started”. His technical background immediately proved to be a major advantage. Niels: “Because I already had a lot of technical knowledge and was familiar with various departments, I was able to help customers effectively. But After Sales isn’t just about technology; it’s also about caring for people. My mum always said I was a caring person, and my colleague Ernest once said: ‘For After Sales, you need a caring heart’. You really need to be able to put people at ease and help them move forward.”
No two days are the same
In After Sales, every day is different. The team deals with a variety of tasks – from processing orders and advising on spare parts to drawing up schedules and coordinating technicians carrying out work on site. In addition, there is a lot of contact with customers and dealers to keep machines running and provide practical solutions. Alongside these tasks, the team is constantly working on improvements. This includes optimising documents to work more efficiently or creating clear instructional videos.
What does an average working day look like for Niels? Here’s what he has to say: “When I’m driving to work in the morning, I think about what I’m going to do that day. But as soon as I open my laptop, the whole day can suddenly take a different turn. You never really know how your working day will unfold.” That naturally calls for flexibility, but fortunately the team is always there for one another. “We help each other out where needed, brainstorm together and discuss solutions. There’s a real sense that we’re all pulling together.”
Staying because it feels right
After all these years, Niels still feels completely at home at Prinzen. “The culture is incredibly important to me, and it just suits me perfectly here. We’re often busy, but I actually see that as a positive thing. It means we don’t get bored! There’s always plenty of challenge and you get opportunities to develop yourself.” What gives him the most satisfaction? He has a clear answer to that: “Honestly? When a client thanks you for your help and says they can move forward with peace of mind. I’m not necessarily proud of one big project. It’s precisely the fact that we can help people every day and make a difference that makes me feel proud.”
Would you like to become a colleague of Niels? ⬇️
