Future visions
7 November 2024
Proud of our people: A customer’s experience
21 November 2024
Interview with CEO Jan de Bruijn
This is the year we, CSi palletising, exist 60 years. In honour of the occasion we’ve spoken to people who have been with us for considerable time. They’ll take us with them on their journeys to and in the company. Last but not least, we speak with Jan de Bruijn, CEO of the CSi Group.
Could you introduce yourself, and tell us about how you got here?
“Well, I’m Jan de Bruijn, CEO. I have a technical business management background with education in technical business administration, incorporating mechanical, electrical, and software elements. I’m someone who enjoys competition and working in a project organisation. There is always an element of competition, like securing a project. Completing a project successfully is also a challenge: managing, organising, executing. This makes it extra enjoyable and interesting because you do it with a large group of people. I try to gather many people around me who are good at what they do, to utilise everybody’s strong suites. Helping those people develop is also important, and it's most enjoyable to see if that works out positive.
I was invited by a former Board Member of CSi to have coffee with the then CEO, both of whom I knew from the past. They were looking for a new CEO and I was very interested. In 2005 I started as Operations Director, and later that year I also took on project management. On January 1st 2008, I became Commercial Director, and on January 1st 2009, CEO. It was always the plan when I started that I would go through these steps, allowing me to get to know the company and the people.”
Jan handing out a retirement present to Mieke Nijman
Rens Leegwater (pensioner), Jan and Frans Mertens
Jan with Alex Baardman, opening the new conference rooms
Entering the retirement celebration 2021
How have you experienced working at CSi?
“I have been working at CSi for almost 20 years, since 2005. I like it because CSi continually goes through new developments and phases, each presenting a new challenge. We have experienced high peaks and deep valleys. Things are going well now, which is exciting to be a part of as it opens up new possibilities. Continuous challenges are motivating. I need to have new things to do, competition, something to win or lose. Just as we are now looking at America, figuring out how to enter that market is also a challenge in itself.
If things are not going well, you want to ensure they improve. And if things are going well, the challenge is to make them even better. You always have to move forward, if you stop moving, they are going to pass you. I do not focus on today but on tomorrow and the day after. Where do we want to go, where do we need to go? It’s fun to dream and to get the organisation on board. It is even more fun to see that you are achieving it.”
How are the working environment and collegial bonds at CSi?
“We give people a lot of freedom, more than other companies I have worked at. In return, we hope and expect that they take responsibility. The people at CSi are wilful, independent, and take responsibility within the freedom they are given. Especially with our solutions, there’s an element of perfectionism: finishing the job, not walking away. Completing projects until the problem is solved, even if it costs more money or time.
The colleagues are also informal and approachable. There is hierarchy, but structure is not the goal; we do not want barriers. People want to support and help each other, which is a defining characteristic of the company. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and fun. CSi employees always find a way to enjoy themselves, even more so when travelling. Travelling together creates a bond, people have strong ties to their colleagues, with many friendships among them. This fosters both a connection to the company and perhaps even stronger connections to each other.”
What is the memory that stands out the most to you?
“What I always find a special occasion is the celebration of jubilees and retirements, with former colleagues and retirees. These people enjoy coming back to be with us, even if they’ve been retired for years. It shows the friendship and personal bonds people have with CSi.
One special memory for me was when we sold our first major project to a large customer in Mexico for €10 million. This was also the first major project we sold in Mexico, and we negotiated for a long time. A few weeks after everything was finalised, I asked the buyer why they chose CSi. The buyer said, “because we asked if it could be done differently, and you said ‘no’.” CSi dared to say no to such a large project because they felt it was not the right option. You have to stay true to yourself: we can do this, and we cannot do that. Professional clients see through that and can appreciate it. It is a moment that has always stayed with me.”
In this interview with Jan de Bruijn, CEO of CSi Group, we get a peak into his life at CSi. For our 60th anniversary, Jan talks about his path to CEO, having no barriers in the company and his most memorable experiences.
