In conversation with Pieter Damen, Head of Green & Environment: "I immediately felt at home here."

At A-kwadraat, we are committed to creating an inclusive labor market. Our Green & Environment Business Unit (BU) is a great example of this. Every day, our employees are dedicated to providing green care services to municipalities, businesses, and private individuals. Behind every project are motivated, talented people and supervisors who help them grow.

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We spoke with Pieter Damen, head foreman at BU Groen & Omgeving. Anyone who meets him immediately notices his drive: a passion for green spaces and people. He tells us how he ended up at A-kwadraat, why he feels at home there, and what makes working at BU Groen & Omgeving so special.

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How did you end up at A-kwadraat?

After twelve years in windows and doors and a number of management positions at, among others, the municipality of Balen and in the logistics sector, Pieter ended up at A-kwadraat. "I've always had a heart for green," he says. "But I missed the challenge and the human aspect. At A-kwadraat, I found both. From day one, it felt warm and human, a breath of fresh air compared to the industrial sector. But make no mistake! We are all working together towards a clear goal and expectations are high."

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What does an average day look like?

Every day starts at 8 a.m. with a brief meeting with the eight customization coaches. After that, our teams, with a total of about 50 customization specialists, head out to visit customers. During the day, I am busy with tasks such as preparing quotes, handling customer inquiries, drawing up schedules, and developing my vision for the BU. Around 4:30 p.m., we come back together and end the day with a brief evaluation.

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Because the customized coaches are always on the job, we have recently started scheduling a monthly meeting to discuss certain issues in more depth. These meetings are intended to provide structure, participation, and growth.

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What do you appreciate about A-kwadraat?

“I feel very supported here. Employees are given the space to do their thing, and there is a strong focus on employee happiness. Yes, I feel completely at home here. It feels like coming home.

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In addition to the warm and collegial atmosphere, I am also struck by the incredible level of expertise that each and every one of our people possesses. The standard is very high, and I have a lot of respect for that.

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How do you view the future of BU Groen & Omgeving?

The business unit is growing and will continue to focus on new projects, innovation, sustainability, and circularity in the coming years. We are investing in a renewed range of machines, expanding our plant knowledge, and continuing to focus on training for our employees.

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That is why we are looking for coaches who want to join us, are open to innovation, and can help monitor the business side of things. Customized workers are given the opportunity to learn and grow within a clear structure and high quality standards. As a team, we ensure top results for our customers.

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What else would you like to add to conclude?

“I am glad I took the step and started at A-kwadraat. I have not regretted it for a moment. To my team: you are doing a great job. I am proud of what we are achieving together and of the progress we are making.”

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Curious about the current vacancies at A-kwadraat? View them here.