In 1988, Mark de Keijzer started his career at HFI. Back then, he worked in production, but today, he is responsible for inside sales. We spoke with Mark about his career and why, after 37 years, he still feels at home at HFI.
After finishing technical school (MTS), I started working at HFI in the multi-spindle department, which existed at the time. I quickly moved up to become a setter and later a foreman. I then became a department manager and was involved in work preparation. In short, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different roles within HFI.
During my time as a department manager, I realized that a leadership role wasn’t the best fit for me. I then moved into supporting cost estimation and was later asked to join the sales department. That turned out to be the perfect match! That was 15 years ago, and I still love what I do.”*
When I was offered my current role, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I’ve always liked the idea of customer contact, and thanks to my technical background, I can provide them with the right support. I also still enjoy being on the factory floor, discussing our work with colleagues and solving any challenges that arise.
During the summer, when things slow down in the sales department, I still like to get behind the machine myself. I also visit customers when needed to ensure we achieve the best possible results together. In short, the variety keeps my job interesting and enjoyable.”*
I’ve witnessed many changes at HFI. When I first started, HFI was a family business owned by the Hartman family. After an initial takeover by Aalbers Industries, I later experienced the acquisition by Kusters Beheer, and today, we are part of Andra Tech Group.
The work itself has also changed significantly. When I started, we did a lot of assembly and serial production—large volumes of simple work. That’s very different from the high-precision, specialized work we do now. I’ve grown along with these changes by taking various internal training courses.
HFI is no longer a family-owned business, but it still feels like one. Everyone knows each other, and we all work together to deliver high-quality results. And if something goes wrong, we all step up to solve the problem as quickly as possible.”*