NEDCON_magazine_dec2020_EN

magazine

WINTER 2020

GAINING MOMENTUM

TAKE OFF PROJECTS USA OPERATIONAL

PROFILING LINE PR 20-32

14 26 36

HOW ARE THINGS WITH

ALEX HOOGVELDT

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CONTENT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

LUBOŠ DUBRAVČÍK

4 HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT

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ZALANDO BLEISWIJK

I PASS THE PEN ON TO...

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FRANS VAN ESVELD PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

EASYCLICK

NEDCON USA

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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19 COLOPHON EDITORS

AND MUCH MORE! THE HOBBY OF HARM KLAVERDIJK

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TALENTS DE GRAAFSCHAP

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RECEPTION JUBILEES

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN HERRMANN

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Gerard Kant Rob van Lier William Krabbenborg Kristian van Petersen Beinte Groen Kasper Vrijbloed Volker Müller Alle Diks Amber Hengevelt

COLUMN BY KASPER VRIJBLOED

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DESIGN

THE HOBBY OF TOMÁŠ BOUŠKA

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loek & feel

PRINT DELIVERED PROJECTS

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Drukkerij Westerlaan

PREFACE

DEAR COLLEAGUES, Before we could blink, another year has passed. And what a year it has become. Who could have thought that? Of course, I cannot avoid saying something about this.

Corona turned out to be a ‘’keeper’’, or at least it ­takes much longer than we hoped for, and that uncertainty sparks a lot of discussion. The result is that we could not open a newspaper or watch a news ­program, or it was all about this. Fortunately, NEDCON people, we are fairly down-to-earth. At this moment we also had a number of Corona cases in both the Czech Republic and ­Doetinchem, but we were able to keep it under ­control. Thanks to everyone for being so considerate towards others and following the rules of the game!

worldwide is of great importance. In any case, there are several wonderful projects on the roll that we can be very proud of! In addition to winning orders, it is also important to mention that the execution of projects, sometimes at the expense of tremendous effort, is ­going pretty well. For me as a “newcomer” it is ­fantastic to see how our total project management and execution functions.

We will also continue to work on the organization and want to take a few major steps on the digitization front. Furthermore, there are also a few important investments in P ­ ardubice on the roll in order to increase the capacity. Starting with an investment in a shelf profiling line.

How nice is it that, despite all the social and econo­ mic unrest, we seem to have dodged the bullet so far.

This also thanks to the great commitment of many ­colleagues, whether or not working from home or on the ­construction site. Fortunately, the current business year, which runs until March 2021, looks fine and we are working on various good offers.

In front of you is a new magazine with lots of great stories and information from employees throughout the entire company. Think of the beautiful Zalando project in Bleiswijk, the innovative Easy-Click development, the new profiling line in Pardubice and a nice ­interview with a former employee. It only confirms what a great company NEDCON is. Worth fighting for.

Nevertheless, it is true that we work in a market where all kinds of things happen and we certainly have to fight to bring in both small and large projects.

But there is still a large category of customers who are in quite a hurry; the need for more e-commerce

I wish everyone a lot of reading pleasure, stay healthy and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Best Regards, Hans Jacobs

PREFACE

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PROFILE LINE OPERATOR

LUBOŠ DUBRAVČÍK Many of you do not visit our production on a daily basis, this is why I really enjoy taking you with me for a day in my life as a Profile Line Operator at NEDCON. Besides performing my job, I am a real history lover, I am familiar with military affairs and I am a witty department stories writer. Now, let me show you what a typical working day for me looks like at lines 20-25 and 20-29!

4.00 - 8.00 AM - EMPLOYMENT DAY 7955 It is early morning and I cannot sleep anymore. The 288th day of 2020 begins which is the 7955th day of my employment at NEDCON. After morning hygiene and breakfast, I go to a bus stop and set off to NEDCON. This week I operate line PR 20-29 (UNIVERSAL STAMPING LINE) called URŠULA. I briefly check state of production, correctness of the coils, the number of empty gitter boxes, servise charge and hand pallet trucks.

I login to Actin (production monitoring software) and turn on the line. Production of connectors, mostly the PR 2/4-hook-right type - the smallest type of connector commonly produced here - is on my list today.

8.00 - 10.30 AM - CHANGE OF STEEL COIL Team leader Robert Šlor comes to the line. He writes the target of the shift on the board. Also Quality Controller Tomáš Svoboda is present. He measures randomly selected pieces of produced connectors. It is time to change a steel coil.

Experienced coil-changer Jarda Buchtele lifts a 2000 kg heavy steel coil 110 X 4.0 with a crane and professionally places it on the decoiler. In the meantime, I pull the remaining strip of the old roll out of the tooling and press. Then, after careful check, I place a new sheet into the press and production can continue.

10.30 - 11.00 AM - LUNCH BREAK Time for lunch. Due to strict hygienic rules, only a few colleagues are present in the dining room.

11.00 AM - 12.30 PM - LINE ADJUSTMENTS Half of the shift is over. I finish 4-hook production, confirm it in SAP, print labels and deregister the old coil. The new one for further production is placed on the decoiler. The line must be set up to a different type of connector (PR2/7- hook-right type). I enter a new coil into the system and place it into the press. After a short inspection and cleaning of the press, I place a new tooling into the press and fasten it with hydraulic clamps.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… 12.30 - 14.00 PM - END OF WORKING DAY 7955 Detailed machine setting continues: angles and axis of perforation, smooth movement of the sheet in the tool. Our Quality Controller comes again to verify the production.

The shift is getting to its end. The production runs without m ­ ajor downtime, which is not always the case. I only have to stop ­production due to some smaller adjustments. I turn off the line at 1:50 p.m. and start cleaning and disinfecting my workplace. I lock my desk and tool cart, log off from Actin and go to the cloakroom.

2.30 - 3.30 PM - GETTING A RIDE A colleague of mine gives me a lift to a car shop, where I pick up my car and drive through busy traffic home.

3.30 - 6.00 PM - FAMILY TIME After a short rest, I leave house with my son and his friend (both football players of SK Lázně Bohdaneč) to a nearby village where the boys will play a match with the local football club. After the match, we go for shopping and then finally home to meet our girls (my wife and daughter).

6.00 - 10.00 PM - SOME TIME FOR MYSELF After dinner and TV news, my only plan is reading the book “The Most Stupid Laws of the World”.

I really enjoy it. I fall asleep listening to songs of my favourite bands. I love it!

• Iron Maiden – Heaven can wait • Queen – Show must go on • Pink Floyd – Another brick in the wall • Motörhead – Got to hell

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LUBOŠ DUBRAVČ ČÍK

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Scan the QR code and watch the video!

Get an impression of all the halls and various systems that we install at Zalando!

This is Hall 2A, ground floor. Prozessfläche H2A part 1 (ST4 – left in the picture) and OSR Buffers 1 and 2 (MLK7 – right in the picture) have already been delivered. A lot of work is being done on Mezzanine 4 (ST4 – in the middle of the photo), which will be built in between and partly ­attached to the Prozessfläche.

Exactly diagonally opposite the solution we recently delivered to supermarket chain Hoogvliet, is one of our newest mega projects located: the ninth XXL distribution center of our customer Zalando. The new fulfillment center in Bleiswijk, with an area of no less than 19 (!) soccer fields, will provide more than 1500 jobs after completion. Storage capacity for 16 million articles will become available and, despite the high degree of automation, the deployment of (lots of) staff will therefore remain indispensable. NEDCON started the installation in August of this year. Zalando is expected to be operational here from the summer of 2021. The interior is divided into no fewer than 19 subsystems that we install in collaboration with our system partners KNAPP and Dürkopp. Enjoy a unique insight into this project!

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HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT PROJECT ZALANDO IN BLEISWIJK:

LARGEST KNAPP NEDCON INSTALLATION IN EUROPE From request to assignment At the beginning of 2019, NEDCON received a request from Zalando to make an offer for an automatic warehouse in Italy. A fellow racking company had already made great progress with this project, but Zalando was not satisfied. Because they knew NEDCON from the manual racks (including an SF-rack for Zalando in France and Sweden), they asked us to think about the project in Italy. After a visit to the head office in Berlin it turned out that the time was too short to participate, but soon an automatic Zalando warehouse would also be built in the Netherlands and we naturally wanted to be a part of that!

Jeroen Besselink – Project Developer: “In March 2019, Dürkopp (who supplies the Zalando automatic warehouses with conveyors) invited us to the next-to-last built Zalando automatic warehouse in Lahr (Southern Germany). We got a tour there to see how their system works and where they need the steel construction. The new warehouse in the Netherlands was going to be a copy of this warehouse. The scope of the delivery by NEDCON would be a large Dynamic Buffer, a number of steel floors and an OSR (this was picked up by the NEDCON-KNAPP team). After handing in the camera and phone (Zalando policy) and

with only Dürkopp’s paper layout drawings, we started the tour. We then sketched the required steel construction on the drawings.’ ‘’Back at NEDCON, these sketches were converted into AutoCAD drawings and based on these drawings, after a few weeks of back and forth discussions with Dürkopp and Zalando, the calculation and quotation could be made.

Fortunately, we were interesting enough and they wanted to continue with us. As time progressed, the project was discussed in more and more detail and we also had to deal with a Dutch firm that was going to build the building in Bleiswijk. In particular, the coordination of the point loads of the uprights and the resulting deformations of the concrete intermediate floor

took us a lot of time, but in the end we got a beautiful color plate from the concrete constructor with the floor deformations in millimeters. With this, Structural Engineer Samuel Zapata Zapata was able to calculate the impact of these deformations on the racking system.

After this, we were able to finalize the quotation and drawings!’’

“The final quotation with drawings was sent in January 2020, after which KNAPP-Dürkopp awarded us the contract to supply the Dynamic Buffer, some floors and a beautiful OSR for this project!”

3 project numbers, 17 engineers, 19 subsystems The project was kicked off ­internally in December 2019. ­Initially only consisting of the

Sketch of a number of steel floors on which Dürkopp wants to hang the ­conveyors. You see the Dürkopp conveyors in top view with the contours of the NEDCON steel floors outlined in pen.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT

Deformations (in mm) of the concrete intermediate floor in top view (area Dynamic Buffer Hall 2). Each color represents a certain deformation of this floor (see the legend). The red dots in this photo are the NEDCON uprights

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part that had to be carried out for Dürkopp, as NEDCON had only received the official assignment for this part. Later, in March and April of 2020, the orders for the KNAPP floors and OSR systems were added to this; herewith the total project size grew to 14.1 million euros!

Peter ter Voert - Project Manager: “Because of this division of the project in time, it was decided to divide the project into 3 separate project numbers. This turned out to be the only right choice, as during the peak period of the engineering process in July and August, more than 10 different Engineers and Structural Engineers were working on one of the 19 subsystems.

A total of approximately 15 Engineers and 2 Structural Engineers participated in the project, spread over the period from January to ­December 2020. We expect to complete the planned engineering work for the last floors for KNAPP in February 2021.’’

Fragmented engineering creates challenges An XXL project such as this one presents the necessary challenges, especially for our Engineers as Peter just said. The biggest is still the fact that the engineering is fragmented and divided over many Engineers: 17 in total! The order consists of a large number of different parts, which unfortunately could not be planned one after the other due to short delivery times due to Corona.

Marco Smaal - Technical Project Manager: ‘’The order for the floors of Zalando is divided into 2 orders, one order for the Dürkopp floor systems and one order for the KNAPP floor systems. All floors have conveyor technology from KNAPP on the floors with which containers are transported. There are also Dürkopp’s clothing transport conveyors under the floors, which transport bags in which, among other things, clothing and

shoes are transported. Zalando has also specified access and escape routes everywhere. This sometimes meant that it was fitting and measuring to build the construc­ tion of several floors in between.’’ ‘’Dynamic buffers, consisting of HG/ ST1 systems, are installed on the concrete floor in two halls. These contain 3 mezzanine floors with 5 levels of cantilever arms. The rest of the floors are designed according to the ST4 principle. The ST4 system is still fairly new and not many of these systems have been built by NEDCON yet. Also because it has not yet been fully developed, it turned out to be quite a challenge to get the floors finished within the set time. But we managed, of course! At the moment we, at Engineering, are working on the development of the last 2 floors.’’

Smooth installation process Peter: ‘’We have started with the installation in August. To ensure

About Zalando The German online fashion giant Zalando now has nine distribution centers, spread across Europe, at its disposal.

The project in Bleiswijk will be the first Dutch location. Zalando is currently the European market leader in fashion & lifestyle. The company was founded in 2008 and has mainly put itself in the picture by the free delivery and return of the packages. The company has 27 million active customers in 17 countries. The Benelux is an i­mportant growth market. In five years’ time, they want to more than double sales in the three countries. Customers notice this by receiving the parcels even faster than they are used to, because now many orders are still ­distributed from the warehouses in Germany.

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HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT The dynamic buffers (Hanging Garment system) form a large part of the project and are located on the first floor. Dürkopp’s automatic clothing conveyors, are installed on the cantilever arms for sorting and buffering the clothing.

that the transfer from Engineering to Installation runs as smoothly as possible, we have also divided this process into a total of 7 meetings, of which we have now had 4. This was also necessary in view of the fragmentation of the engineering process over time, and offered a way out to limit the number of participants per consultation in connection with COVID-19. Also on the site, we have created the possibility by means of a large double desk container to have this type of coordination also take place on the construction site.’’ ‘’The first floor systems in building unit 2A have now been delivered to KNAPP, and a start is made with successive areas in units 2A, 3A and 3B by subcontractor Jasopa.

At the moment, some changes in the overall planning due to choices from KNAPP are a time pressure and we are in consultation to be able to use our capacities on the site in the right way. In addition, the material deliveries and delivery of the correct installation drawings must also be able to link up well with this. This seems to be successful, so that we can keep up with the unforeseen planning requirements of KNAPP. However, we must keep a close eye on the occupation on site, in connection with the stricter rules regarding COVID-19.’

With the scooter from A to B Michel Boomkamp - Site Manager: “We have now been on the road for 4 months and are still well on schedule here in Bleiswijk. With the unexpected but very welcome help from Boris Veldin (Site Supervisor) in mid-November, I expect this to continue in the coming months. Because the project involves so many different halls, which are quite large, it is impossible to do everything on foot. That is why Boris and I use a scooter. That way you can be on the other side of the building in no time.’’ ‘’We are also very satisfied with the cooperation with the customer and various subcontractors. Because we often work with the same installation teams (there is little change in terms of employees within teams), we have not yet been faced with any major surprises. We are currently working on the installation in hall 4B and are 3 days ahead of the schedule. The moment the photos and videos were taken here, the first upright profile was raised.

Together with putting down the last in a hall, these are the highlights of a project for me!’’

Right on track Peter: ‘’For the OSR part, the 3 OSR Buffers are as good as ready and ready for delivery. In week 46,

the installation of the large 24-aisle OSR EVO 1D in building unit 4A has also started. Zimmermann is responsible for the installation of these systems. A special feature here is that an ISO wall will be placed by a third company at the front of the large commissioner OSR, after which Jasopa can start the installation of mezzanine 1.’’ ‘’Despite the precarious situation in which we find ourselves ­worldwide, we can be very ­satisfied with the state of affairs so far. The ­project has required a lot of capacity from the engineering department for a considerable ­period, which will undoubtedly have been at the expense of ­flexibility and the supply of ­capacity for other projects. In addition, the first period on the construction site also demanded a lot from our site management, because choices had to be made to keep other projects running.

Due to the high degree of mutual understanding within NEDCON, we have always managed to find our way together again, and we expect to find calmer waters in the Zalando project in the ­ coming months. I want to thank everyone for their contribution to this ­project. A reference in our own country that we can be proud of!’’ ■

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT

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ZALANDO IN BLEISWIJK

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TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER

HARM KLAVERDIJK

By Gerard Kant

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Harm Klaverdijk, I was born in 1967 and I was raised in Drenthe. I completed the HTS in ­Groningen. Via ­Nijmegen, and having lived in Arnhem for 25 years, I have been living in Rheden for three years now.

I have three children. My 24-year-old son Maarten has almost finished studying, my daughter Elke, 22, is in her third year and my youngest daughter Nora, 19, has just started. I have a relationship with Gabi. She has two daughters, Sophia and Liz. In the past, I mainly had cycling as a hobby, but I also played tennis and squash. I loved being busy around the house and I made furniture. Now it is mainly photo­ graphy!

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How did you end up at NEDCON at the time?

And how long have you been working here?

I ended up at NEDCON because I was looking for a temporary job. I still had to complete my HTS and six months later I would be called up for military service (which I did not have to do in the end). That was in 1992. That temporary job has now lasted 28 years.

What was / were your position(s) within NEDCON? I started as a Draughtsman / Engineer. The first years I also wrote AutoCAD applications. I have worked almost everywhere in the buildings and in different organizational structures as Engineer, Project Engineer and now as Technical Project Manager in the Project Realization department.

THE HOBBY OF… AND NOW ABOUT YOUR HOBBY: PHOTOGRAPHY! How did you encounter this hobby?

Around 2008 I largely had to give up sports. Looking for a new leisure activity, I bought a new camera, followed courses and that is how I rolled into it. Photography has always interested me.

How long did you need to get the hang of photography?

That was easy. I think that after six months I was quite able to make something that I was happy with myself.

What makes this hobby so special for you?

You are actually always busy with photography. I always and everywhere have an eye for a beautiful view, beautiful building, lines or a detail. I would like to capture that in an image. We almost all have this need with smartphones these days, but I still like to do my best.

In the meantime, you also enjoy what you see more.

exactly the right time for the best position of the sun and / or the moon.

What is your specialty?

Abstract, alienation, lines and architecture.

What is the most special place you have ever photographed?

The circumstances often make a place interesting, but I would like to return to Valencia to see more of architect Calatrava in “Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències”.

For the specialists among us: What kind of photo camera do you have and what kind of ­lenses do you work with?

I work with multiple cameras: a Samsung S8 smartphone and a Sony RX100M3 compact camera.

For the heavier work, I worked with Pentax SLR cameras for a long time. Now I have a Fujifilm XH-1 system camera with an XF 16-55 f2.8 and a XF 10-24 f4.0 lens. I also have many old Pentax prime lenses that I can connect to the Fuji with adapters. I also often use an app to be somewhere at

THE HOBBY OF HARM KLAVERDIJK

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“

LEARN TO WATCH AND CHOOSE WHAT TO CAPTURE

“

What is the biggest challenge during photography for you?

Finding the interesting details under the best (light) conditions.

You have to visit many locations more often at different times.

Do your prefer photographing alone or with others?

I often go with Gabi, but I also go alone or with with other groups

of photographers.

Do you also take your c ­ amera­ with you on vacation? Or do you prefer to take holiday snapshots with your mobile?

I do quite a lot with my mobile.

However, I take the compact camera with me on short trips. Gabi also photographs, so there is soon more equipment when the two of us go.

I understand that you have your own style, what characte­ rizes a “Klaverdijk” photo?

Difficult to say that about yourself, but I think I am often ­recognized by my different ­compositions and subject choices.

I usually do not go for the obvious pictures.

Can we also find your photos somewhere online?

Yes, I am on Instagram and Flickr!

What do you recommend to the reader who also wants to practice this hobby?

Learn to watch and to choose what to capture. Try to get a feel for content and composition.

View the work of other photo­ graphers and read about their choices. Learn from it, but do not imitate too much. Take the photos mainly for yourself. Besides, you do not need an expensive ­camera.

Technology is only an afterthought! ■

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TALENTS DE GRAAFSCHAP

NEDCON PROUD SPONSOR OF TWO DE GRAAFSCHAP TALENTS! In September we welcomed Kas Krabbenborg (12) and Lyjairo Mathilda (11) to “the club” as proud sponsor of these two talents of De Graafschap soccer club, from our own Doetinchem. We look forward to following and supporting them in their careers in the coming period. Go for it, Kas & Lyjairo!

Scan the QR code and watch the video of welcoming Kas & Lyjairo to NEDCON!

TALENTS DE GRAAFSCHAP

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KAS & LYJAIRO

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TAKE OFF PROJECTS DURING COVID-19 5 projects in CT completed

1 project in WA planned

1 project in IL completed

5 projects in MA completed 5 projects in NJ 3 completed 2 planned

6 projects in CA 3 Completed 3 planned 1 project in AZ completed

1 project in FL completed 1 project in OK planned

21 TAKE OFF PROJECTS IN TOTAL

3 projects in Canada 3 completed 2 planned in 2021

By Pinar Tokur

Takeoff Technologies is a Massachusetts-based company co-founded in 2016 by two Harvard Business School MBAs Jose V. Aguerrevere and Max Pedro, with the vision of transforming the grocery industry.

Through development of micro-fulfillment-centers, Take Off aims to leverage automation by using grocery-sorting robots to assemble orders, while dramatically reducing the operating cost and increasing real estate productivity.

In very short time, the start-up has succeeded in achieving this vision, as of this year they got selected among hundreds of candidates as one of the World Economic ­Forum’s “Technology Pioneers” for their contributions in the field of grocery retailing. The company’s robotics technology is proven and ready to deploy at scale thanks to

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exclusivity partnership with KNAPP, as well as Albertsons, Ahold Delhaize, Wakefern (Safeway/ ShopRite) and Sedano’s in the USA and with Woolworths, in Australia.

E-Grocery Sales in USA amid COVID-19 Online grocery sales in US are growing at accelerated rate, as the

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pandemic has increased the desire of shoppers to shop safely from home during the lockdowns. The percentage of e-grocery sales is expected to grow up to 10.2% or higher within a $1.04 trillion grocery market by the end of this year; whereas last year in 2019 it was only at 3,4% of the total g ­ rocery market.

GAINING MOMENTUM

GAIN MOMENTUM PANDEMIC

The forecasts before pandemic showed the online grocery sales would not reach 13,5% until 2025 but at current state, the industry expects to see this number spike to a high 21,5% of total grocery spen­ ding in the United States, reaching an estimated $250 ­billion in value.

Take off & KNAPP Partnership KNAPP and Take Off announced a formal agreement in 2017 to have partnership in automated micro-fulfillment technology and robotics including an agreement to exclusively develop the immediate in-store eGrocery channel. By April 2019, Take Off and KNAPP confirmed a $150 million, 50-site order.

During the ­pandemic of 2020, Take Off reported a ­significant increase in order ­volumes that they have more than 100 deals under contract with undisclosed clients.In meantime, the company raised $ ­ 25 million in Series C funding through sale of its preferred shares bringing its valuation up to $500 million.

Take Off Projects at NEDCON As NEDCON, we have had a total intake of twenty-one Take Off pro­jects through KNAPP Inc. since 2018 and have successfully completed installation of ten of these projects in various locations throughout USA, and currently installing a new one in San Jose, California. Out of the remaining ten, five projects were engineered, produced and shipped to

KNAPP’s warehouse in Kennesaw, GA, ­waiting for ­installation. The other five are either in production or shipping stage to be delivered directly to job site b ­ efore start of ­installa­­tion. Our sales team is currently in discussions with KNAPP for ­additional projects. With the increased demand for automation in retail industry, we e ­ xpect many more to be ordered until the end of 2020 and ­throughout 2021! ■

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TAKE OFF PROJECTS

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FACILITY MANAGER

FRANS VAN ESVELD Where were you born?

I was born in Doetinchem in the Sint Jozef hospital and I grew up in Terborg, where I lived the first 17 years of my life.

What is your best feature?

I think I can easily find a creative solution to challenges that I encounter. That can be very handy.

What is your worst quality?

When I make or try to make something, I start ­messing around because I want to do it too neatly or too well. Fortunately, I know that now and it is getting easier to compromise. Other people in my area like that too.

What is your favorite food?

By Kristian van Petersen

Name?

Mmm, do I really have to choose? I like so much, from kale, noodles, pizza to a nice stir-fry with rice.

The only thing I do not eat is fish.

Frans van Esveld

What is your favorite music / singer?

Employed since?

June 1, 1986

In which positions have you worked?

I started as a General Production Employee. I worked almost everywhere but my preference lay in working at the coating line. I did this up to and including 1990. Then I worked in the production hall as a Forklift ­Driver for two years. In 1992, with the arrival of the new coating line, I became Foreman Coating Line. From 2000 onwards, I slowly moved towards the ­office, when I was given the title of General ­Production Assistant. In 2006, I became Assistant Head of Production and in 2010 was entitled as P ­ roduction ­Manager. In that year, like all other ­production ­colleagues, I received a proposal related to the reorganization. Fortunately, there was also the opportunity to continue working as Head of Facility Services with a probationary period of six months.

Luckily Erik forgot because ­I am still here. The title has changed to Facility Manager, this is nice since the suppliers and other partners no longer ask for your manager, it opens doors!

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Another difficult question! I also like many music streams here. Frank Zappa is someone who has been played in my house for about 35 years, but we also have a fantastic CD, called Sylva, by the Metropole Orchestra with Snarky Puppy. It is beautiful to hear but also to see because the interaction and mutual appreciation and admiration are visible.

I PASS THE PEN ON TO...

What are your hobbies?

First of all, it is making music. I mainly play on my alto and ­tenor saxophone, but I also have a keyboard and some guitars at my disposal. I also use the saxes in the band I play in, I sing and rap a bit as well. In the summer, I also like to ride my motorcycle or to work in the garden. I have plenty of fun things to do.

What can we wake you up for at night?

Well, I don’t often have a mood, but waking me up at night can be the first step, so it’s probably better to just let me sleep…

Do you have a motto that you would like to share with your colleagues?

Hahaha, actually not, but if I really have to, there is only one that ­immediately comes to mind: ­ “Seize the day”.

Which dream do you prefer to see come true?

Well, right now I have to mention Corona. If I want to see a dream come true or make a wish, it is

that the virus is gone immediately.

Then we can be together again and give each other a hand, pat on the back or a hug without embarrassment or restraint.

What do you like to do on the weekend?

What I like to do is go to bed late and get out of bed late. Having time for yourself, enjoying the sun and garden, and drinking a beer or a glass of wine. I also like to go to the pub for a night. In addition, I like to go with my wife Anja to our children, to friends and I like to be busy with one of my hobbies.

What news has impressed you the most in the past six months?

I could say a recent terrorist attack, such as the attack on the teacher in France because of the extreme violence, but the loss of someone close or close to a colleague makes so much more impression.

Which employers have you had before NEDCON and which position(s) did you hold there?

Well, through the last school, I

did an internship in a retirement home, but I also worked in a drilling department in a stove factory. I worked for an installation ­company as an electrician via an employment agency, and then I worked as a temporary worker at NEDCON. Ton Willems asked in 1986 if I wanted to join NEDCON as a production employee. I then indicated that I wanted to do that for six months, maybe for a year because I wanted to become a professional musician.

Well, some years have passed by and I am still there…

You have indeed been working at NEDCON for a long time, from June 1986! What development of the company are you proud of?

Another question with which you can go in all directions. Never one thing or event matters, but a multiple of it. I think NEDCON has a fantastically beautiful product and a very well founded story about it. I think we at NEDCON know very well what we make and sell.

It is just great to see the response from guests to the versatility of our products, the test benches

I PASS THE PEN ON TO FRANS VAN ESVELD

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The questions of Wouter Bruggers...

What did you find the most exciting period for yourself at NEDCON and why?

The most exciting time at NEDCON? That just remains the present. I have had great fun and exciting times at NEDCON and I look back on it with great pleasure, but I find the present and the challenge to have it run smoothly tomorrow and next year, both in the department and my own work, a challenge. It is not predictable (read unexpected twists such as Corona) and this makes it fascinating.

and the mock-ups that enhance the story. The different colleagues who can translate this in the right way and convert it into a huge order and/or a long-term coope­ ration. All in all, I am proud of the culture and mutual cooperation in combination with a beautiful product.

From the Production department you entered the profession of Facility. Can you say a little more about that?

Well, it actually was a bit done between NEDCON and me. Just like almost all other production-related employees, I received an envelope containing the termination of the contract; only, I also received an alternative. Together with Sietze Stoltenborg, we were allowed to set up the Facility department, which also included the emptying of our NEDCON 2 building. Trying to continue with my Facility job for the first six months before finally continuing. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Sietze at the next round of reorganization, but I never regretted the choice to continue in Facility. It is great to be involved in so many things at the same time.

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What will our NEDCON facilities look like in 2022?

I hope and assume that we have won the battle with Corona worldwide and that we can work more or less as usual. That we can grow again in our buil­ding in terms of employees and amount of work. That at lunchtime we can again make use of a fantastic company restaurant full of fun and meetings with colleagues, drink a beer every Friday afternoon and more or less return to our old familiar way of working and interacting with each other. Six months ago, I probably would have answered this question differently.

What is/was your biggest challenge within NEDCON? Well, in recent years, parking ­spaces have been filling up without any possibility of buying or renting extra space. It is difficult to see where the shoe pinches but to cannot do anything about it.

Fortunately, a contract has now been signed for the rental of 50 parking spaces at our new neighbor across the street. In addition to ensuring the desired amount, it also looks fantastic.

What other position within NEDCON would you like to fulfill for a week?

Then I think I will go for the ­position of Han Woerts (Coordinator Prototyping), it is fantastic to be able to test and map out what really happens with a (over)loaded rack for example. He will just have to explain a lot to me before I can really do something for him.

If you were director of ­NEDCON for a day, what would you do or change?

Mmm, that is another tough one…

I do not have the ambition to take over the work of the management, so the question of what to do with

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ten million would have been easier.

As a director, I would like to bind a good cause to the company and involve the employees in such a way that we are not only proud of our product and the ­financial result, but also of the social ­commitment.

I pass the pen on to…

Wout Smans.

And I would like to ask him the following...

He has been working at ­NEDCON for a few years now, but ­already experienced quite some ­challenges within his department, given the complex and ever-­growing ­projects. Isn’t it time we set up a manufacturing company in the ­United States ­alongside ­Pardubice, for example, or ­maybe even ­produce items on the ­construction site to shorten the long lines of production, ­transportation and construction? And is he ­already used to the travel time to ­NEDCON? ■

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT WHEN ONE SOLUTION LEADS TO ANOTHER CHALLENGE

EASY-CLICK DEVELOPMENT

By Beinte Groen

NEDCON is a company where innovations occur throughout the entire company. Many innovations are the direct result of our service-orientated way of doing business. Does the customer have a specific need? If it can be done, consider it done. In this episode, I will tell the story of an innovation that started as a simple question from the customer, and ended up being much more than that.

Erwin is very satisfied with the final design of the shelf!

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The proposal of KNAPP

In April 2019 our biggest client KNAPP asked NEDCON if we could modify our shelf. They explained to us that when smaller bins are handled by the system, they can bump into the shelf when transitioning from shuttle to racking. Small bins have their first contact with the beam and slide onto the shelf, the solution would be to provide a subtle slope to the edge of the shelf.

Bigger bins do not have this problem as they skip the beam entirely and the first contact is on the shelf.

Development of prototype Erwin Straatsma from team KNAPP went to work to develop the first design for this sloped edge, including a tolerance analysis so that the shelf would fit any time, in any configuration.

A manual production tool was designed and 20 pieces of shelves where sent to KNAPP to be tested in their test setup. After approval from KNAPP it was time to get

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the production in Pardubice involved, together with Jeroen van de Kolk, Lukas Hemerka, Daniel Turek and Petr Zvolanek a production tool was designed that would fit in the current shelf production line.

After F.E.M. modelling and evaluation, Design Principles advised that the squeezing force of the shelf must be reduced by 50% to sufficiently reduce the stresses during installation. This also has the beneficial side effect of easier installation.

Inspired by favorite snack However, the prototypes that came from the production line showed a new problem: the sloped edge at the end of the shelf does not connect to the beam properly. The production was according to the drawing, so what went wrong? A new analysis showed that when the shelves are installed, high stresses are seen around the sloped edge. It turns out that the edge does not only provide a smooth transition, but it also acts as a stiffener. Our solution has led to a new problem (this must sound familiar for many designers). It needs to be solved and we are now one step closer to the title of this article.

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Brainstorming sessions with the team has led to multiple concepts that reduce the squeezing by 50%. Together with the production-expertise from Pardubice, a design is chosen that could be incorporated in the current rolling line, with only necessary adjustments of the punch and cutting tools at the “flying table”. Erwin admits that the chosen design was inspired on one of his favorite late night snacks… This shows us how unrelated inspirations can be in design, and thus how creative we can be!

Passed with flying colors The concept went through the

PRODUCTONTWIKKELING

Erwin’s inspiration for the design

final stage of detail engineering: accounting for tolerances, production, rolling direction, multiple configurations and even clever packaging. With the design done it was also time to put it to a test. The design passed the test with flying colors! Installation managers are pleased with the final adjustments because it means their workers can do their job much quicker, and without

any strain in their hands due to all the pinching of shelves. Due to the success on the rail side, it was also decided to apply the renewed click system to the back beam side.

Because the design is so unique and the advantages are big, NEDCON decided to apply for a patent. The first steps have been taken and this new shelf is now officially…. Patent Pending!

What I like about this story that a certain question can lead to different solutions. Many times a specific solution also causes a new problem, which needs to be solved again. This iterative procedure can finally lead to a new development that was not thought of before. The new EasyClick shelf is the proof. It is not always easy, and team KNAPP can certainly be proud of this design! ■

Scan the QR code and watch the video!

Watch a video of Roel Bolder who, with little installation experience, can easily place the shelf in the Shuttle Rail!

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RECEPTION JUBILEES

RECEPTION JUBILEES

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KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER NEDCON FRANCE

MARTIN HERRMANN

Dear colleagues, it is with pleasure that I take the opportunity, offered to me here, to describe my daily life at NEDCON France.

It will be almost 10 years since I hold the position of Account Manager for France. Since 2015, I have taken over the entire ­operation of the French subsidiary. My work has been enriched by the responsibility for installation of the Key Accounts projects on the French market and with administrative tasks.

Since mid-March 2020, I have been installed in new offices, following the move of voestalpine France since our offices are located at the headquarters of our parent company.

I enjoy taking you with me for a day. Here we go!

07.15 AM - PHONE CHECK This short preamble, to tell you that a typical day as such does not exist, has the advantage for me of never falling into a routine. What does not change is that every morning, before I go to work, I check my phone around 7.15 a.m. during breakfast. My day often begins with phone calls during the trip, passed to the Installation Manager. In order to make sure that all the material is delivered on site.

8.15 AM - ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE When I come to the office around 8:15 a.m., I send out emails asking for spare parts prices, or to communicate material lists of small racking extensions to be quoted for existing customers. I plan everything that can be on my “to do list”, and I must also be flexible in my organization and adapt the priorities when needed. This to respond effectively in order to face our competitors and to best serve our KA customers in France.

09.00 AM - TIME FOR COFFEE Once the quick and simple tasks have been handled, I prepare myself a coffee before embarking on what is longer; the study of new specifications. I need to synthesize the project information and make sure that we have all the information needed for costing.

I translate the request and pass the information on to my colleagues from the KA Germany & France department who assist me. We schedule a phone meeting to discuss the important details that need to be considered in order to deliver an offer based on an optimized and competitive solution.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… 12.00 AM - TIME TO TAKE A BREAK It is already 12 o’clock, and I can hear my colleagues at voestalpine busy reheating their meal before sitting down to dinner. Time has flown faster than I expected.

Since the health crisis, our habits have also changed here. We adapt the time for the lunch break when there are too many of us to sit at the table without vis-à-vis, occupying only one seat in two.

The conviviality is still there, even if we see each other a little less since the partial lockdown and home office measures.

01.00 PM - REVIEW MOMENT In the beginning of the afternoon, after finishing what I had started, I review the schedule for the days to come. It is a good time to call clients to set a date for presenting ongoing projects. Once the date is set, I call clients located nearby or on the route, to discuss their situation, any future extensions and the opportunity of a visit in order to optimize my trips because distances to be covered are important.

When I have an ongoing building site, I plan to drive to the site once a week. This to meet the installation team on site and to discuss smooth running of the site with the customer and compliance with safety rules with the coordinator.

03.00 PM - PREPARING TRIPS I usually schedule visits for two days in the middle of the week. I print plans and offers that will serve as a working basis during meetings. I book my hotel and I transfer the landline from the office to my mobile phone before leaving the office in order to remain reachable.

08.00 PM - DINNER’S READY In the evening I usually eat around 8 p.m. Tonight there’s pumpkin soup on the menu. C’est trop bon! Let’s have dinner, I am hungry!

10.00 PM - TIME TO TAKE SOME SLEEP Tomorrow morning I am going to hit the road at 6 a.m. I will have a 467 km journey before the first meeting in Paris at 11 a.m. Second meeting at 3 p.m. at 150km. So, I will have a long day ahead. Time to get some sleep!

Au Revoir!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN HERRMANN

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PRODUCTION OF THE DIAGONALS AT NEDCON WILL NOT BE THE ONLY STORY OF ROLL-FORMING...

NEW PRODUCTION LINE PR 20-32

By Milan Barton

When during the night walk we turn our eyes to the sky, we will sight the familiar image of stars and constellations. Being more fortunate, it can also travel the light of once upon a time a newly born sun or a new star. When during the walk through somewhat more specifically defined space, our ­production plant, and we turn our eyes to the roll-forming department, we see in the near past born new technology for the production of the diagonals.

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OPERATIONAL We cannot overlook it, it is in any case a very modern line and it shines with novelty, however we will get the view of relatively “only” a few cutting-edge innovative technological novelties. Technology is at first glimpse more robust, what predetermines it to the production of the so called OB (OpenBox) diagonals, in the future up to the material thickness of 2.5 mm by the fairly interesting technical speed of 24m/min (current obsoleting technology reaches roughly half of that speed and has considerable difficulties already with thickness exceeding 1.5 mm).

High-speed hydraulic punching with pulling material feeder has already for the second time forced out traditional eccentric press with the front feeder. For the irregular perforation with long feeding step it is ideal technical solution for

less money. Roll-forming section copies already ones successfully implemented DUPLEX concept for one configurable product family, in this case applied on to the family of C and U profiles. Term DUPLEX we use for the roll-forming concept, when the profiling sections are symmetrically doubled (duplexed) and repositionable to the exact dimensions within configurable product range. In the case of our “roll-forming star” is this repositioning not only motorized, but fully numerically controlled and precisely tuned positions stored in the memory. Duplex repositioning e.g. from the profile U503015 to C904020 (OB904020) is executed in order of 1-2 minutes, rather substantial difference from hours lasting setups on our current obsolete conventional technology.

Individual DUPLEX section are furthermore placed on cassettes,

what makes the technology eventually open for the future modification to the other product.

It seems that our new technology can be rightly ranked among the “stars” and not only figuratively, but also literarily in the context of overall technical maturity. Flying table concept certainly does not degrade technology performance, at least not for 97% of the production of the diagonals longer than 800 mm and is fully in accord with our manufacturing philosophy of quick-exchange and setup.

Modern safety standards and CE certification are already absolute matter of course and machine construction in this regard was designed without any concession.

Unfortunately, there was set in certain paradox. The limiting factors is not anymore the machine, but human, to be more

Scan the QR code and get an Scan de QR code impression en krijg eenof indruk van de nieuwe lijn!line! the new

OPERATIONAL

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PROFILING LINE PR 20-32

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“

...THE OBJECTS ARE BETTER DEFINED

BY HOW WE THINK ABOUT THEM, RATHER THAN HOW WE SEE THEM.

“

specific, on product stacking and packing. From the ergonomic reasons, by such a high production speed, it was a must to double the cycle time (from 3s to 6s) and therefore to split output mechanisms into 2 tilting side-

discharge sub-systems (plus one for products shorter than 800 mm). For variable product lengths and batching this run-out device is again fully configurable, both its kinematic and also dynamic acceleration parameters. Topic of

Curious about the entire article?

Scan the QR code and read more!

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ergonomics on this output device is still not fully closed, we gave preference to process based on empirically collected experiences.

Our vision is not perfect and our eye sees only tiny fragments of the visual light spectrum (for the physics enthusiasts: the visual spectrum of the electro-magnetic radiation, which is transmitted in quantum of energy by massless photons). Observing the night sky by mere vision, no matter if using optical telescope or not, we see actually too little, precious little.

Equally like this it will be, when we, as passer-by passing the new technology for the production of diagonals, will rely only on very limited wavelength of our eye receptors. It is necessary to observe on the other frequencies. ■

COLUMN

By Kasper Vrijbloed

Which bubbles do you live in?

Consciousness does not liberate, but makes the walls of the prison more visible, muses Theo Maassen in his show ‘Tegen Beter Weten In’ (2006).Partly thanks to the internet, we now know the expression filter or information bubble. Eli Pariser used this term in his book “The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is hiding from you” (2011). The visual term should provide insight into the dark side of the internet. In short, large internet companies are using algorithms to narrow our view of the world so far until we only get to see the confirmation of our own views.

We were of course already familiar with the ‘’bubble’’ in the sense of an economic bubble or housing market bubble. This bubble mainly portrays the lack of foundation for major economic growth. But using the word “bubble” in the context of allowing yourself to be carelessly cut off from the surrounding world was new. This bubble is much more fun, it even turned out to

be a great invention. The bubbles are now all around you. Besides the information bubble, we now know the elite bubble, the political bubble and since the corona crisis, we even know the social bubble or the corona bubble. Above all, the bubble has become a metaphor portraying the divisions of our current world.

The word has taken on a negative and even dangerous association, but that hasn’t stopped me from seeing bubbles all over me these days, and I feel less and less concerned about them. Don’t we all live in bubbles and constantly filtering or just incorporating filtered information? I like to read newspapers, but not all articles and certainly not all newspapers.

That is a clearly limited news bubble. Like almost everyone else, I live in a family bubble and a neighbor and friends bubble.

In addition, I find myself in a holiday bubble and a work bubble.

Undoubtedly, I also live in a political bubble. Moreover, have I already mentioned my age bubble? And that’s how I bubble around and feel amazingly good about it. In bubbles you can also learn a lot, gain skills and even expand your opportunities in the world. How much do I owe to school bubbles I have hung out in for years. And isn’t that true for a lot of bubbles?

Like most companies, we know

department bubbles and function bubbles within NEDCON. Are these deliberately artificially created frameworks not precisely intended to provide a safe space for development, specialization and change, in order to ultimately be able to continue to perform optimally?

The metaphor to think from boundaries instead of opportunities, offered me a playful grip to look differently and to think about myself: where I am in the world and what has shaped me. And in a way, it is good for your peace of mind when you realize and acknowledge for yourself that your knowledge, insight and worldview from your bubbles is limited and bounded.

Even though you try so hard and visit so many other bubbles, you will always be limited by the bubbles in which you enter or have entered. And in the words of Theo Maassen; eventually the boundaries become more and more visible.

Indeed, it is not a liberating insight.

But as soon as you can admit this to yourself, the realization and relief that you cannot and do not have to be perfect also comes. Even if that is your impossible aim. And fortunately, because in a perfect world who is still interested in new knowledge, discoverers or a need for innovation. No, in that world there is little room for a company like NEDCON. ■

COLUMN BY KASPER VRIJBLOED

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PURCHASE DEPARTMENT MANAGER

TOMÁŠ BOUŠKA

By Gerard Kant

Tell us about your hobby: Pigeon breeding!

I was asked to introduce my hobby, which I have been doing since 1990 – this year is my 30th anniversary. It is breeding of racing pigeons and the associated sports activities – competitions. My father brought me to this hobby and we still enjoy it together. It is a beautiful combination of nature formation, contact with living creatures and sports adrenaline.

What is it about?

The essence of racing pigeon breeding is their breeding for two purposes. The first one is the beauty of racing pigeons, the so-called standard is the description of an ideal appearance and a body structure, which is given uniformly at international level.

The other one and certainly more exciting purpose is a preparation of pigeons for their participation in competitions. Races are based on the unique feature of racing pigeons, their sense of orientation in an unknown landscape and an unwavering desire

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to return to their loft. Pigeons are taken in a joint transport of several fanciers to the starting point.

They are released from the vehicle and fly home on their own wings and with the help of their inside „radar“. They wear a ring with a chip on their

A little history In recent centuries, racing pigeons have been used as message bearers, especially of strategic/military importance. They even played an important role in military reporting in World War II. For example, the British army used them extensively. Their pigeons were used to crossing the English Channel and carrying important messages from the European continent to the British Isles. So it happened several times that a timely message helped save British ­soldiers´ lives. Moreover, these feathered heroes even r­ eceived military honours. This purpose disappeared with modern communication technologies and the civilian, breeding and sports purposes remained only.

THE HOBBY OF… leg always activated only for a specific race. Each fancier has a sensor at the entrance of the loft and the pigeon is recorded upon arrival and passage to the loft.

This moment is taken as the time of its arrival. Because fanciers from different places compete together within defined regional units who have different distances and thus also arrival times, the final order from the race is always determined by the calculated average flight speed of the pigeon.

When does training start?

Pigeons are prepared for races from an early age. In the year of their birth, they are gradually trained up to the usual distance of about 300 km. Then the demands increase ending up at a distance of 1100-1200 km. The parallel with athletes is more than obvious: Like in athletics, some runners are only destined for sprints, middle distances or marathons, so racing pigeons are bred and selected for a certain category (race distance).

What does it take of a fancier?

A fancier has to do a lot for a success in competitions, which means daily careful care. Pigeons must be healthy, in a perfect condition, so first-class feeding and other food supplements are experienced in the world of successful fanciers.

Are there any famous fanciers?

There are also some famous personalities among the fanciers of racing pigeons: for example ˇ Josef Cerný in the Czech Republic, one of the legendary Brno hockey players and multiple Czechoslovak representative, or ˇ Vítezslav Mácha, the Olympic

winner and world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Unexpectedly, American boxer Mike Tyson also discovered a passion for this hobby abroad.

Why is this hobby so appealing to you?

The mission of a pigeons´ fancier is basically a combination of a caretaker, a breeder, a coach, a sports manager and a fan in one.

This combination of roles and responsibilities still satisfies and entertains me. Over the years, I have achieved some success. It must be said that especially the success of my pigeons in longdistance races was a reward for daily care and preparation for weekend racing. And I will remember the feeling, when the pigeons that flew from Ostend, Belgium (920 km as the crow flies), started at 7 am and landed on the roof of the loft before my eyes in the evening on the same day, for a long time.

You are also doing some ‘’business’’ in the Netherlands.

What can you tell about that?

the Netherlands to my loft. Why? Because Dutch long-distance pigeons, actually their fanciers, have been regarded as a leader in specializing in these often extreme races for many years.

And it happened that I got to know local fanciers in my free evenings (because of business trips to Doetinchem). My breeding got another, international dimension. We are not in such a contact now, but my memories of time spent together are still alive.

How do you see the future of fanciers?

Current trends and further possible developments are not entirely ideal. In the Czech Republic, there are less than 4.000 fanciers with this hobby.

The problem is a constantly declining number and an increasing average age. It is difficult to bring new members from a younger generation, so the prospects are not very encouraging. But racing pigeons are indomitable battlers… ■

Among other things, my interest in long-distance racing also led me to bring some pigeons from

THE HOBBY OF TOMÁŠ BOUŠKA

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NEDCON USA: WHERE

By Jack Boh

Let’s face it. 2020 has been one of the weirdest years we’ve ever experienced. I still remember when I was a wee little boy, barely 32 years old, and I first heard about the Corona virus and its arrival in Italy. My first thought was, “that’s scary”. My second thought was, thanks to a minor case of attention deficit disorder, “what should I get my wife for her birthday?” Now, nine-some-odd months later, I’m a covid-hardened almost-33-year-old, with a mask in my pocket and impeccable spatial awareness.

Corona is still here, and surprisingly so are my wife’s AirPods. But I’m not here simply to recount my medical and purchase history, but to describe the goings-on of everyone’s favorite superpower and the NEDCON employees who call it home.

There’s a saying in America, that, under contemplation, can be interpreted in two different ways.

“No news is good news” is intended to mean if you haven’t heard otherwise, assume all is well. For example, if I haven’t heard from my babysitter about whether or not my son is being unruly, I can only assume that he is, in fact, behaving angelically. However, I like to interpret the saying as ‘there is no such thing as good news’. No news is good news. ­No piece of information relayed in

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a newsroom is ever of an uplift­ ing­air, meant to raise the spirits of the viewer. There’s no 1950’s fireman rescuing a cat out of a tree or Armenian diver saving the lives of 20 ­passengers after their bus crashed into a lake. There’s only pandemic, riots, presidential dissatisfaction. And up until a few weeks ago, campaign ads for the presidential election. The latter should fall into the category of informative promotion of a political figure, and yet this is most often not the case. American political

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ads tend to sound like the gossip of feuding teenagers who have the same crush. There’s no “You should vote for Jack Boh ­because he wants to further NetherlandsUSA relations by increasing trade between the two countries”. More typical would be: “You should NOT vote for Jack Boh because, when Corona struck, he sat idly by wondering about birthday gifts for his wife while the country slipped into the grips of the worst pandemic in the last 100 years. Jack Boh is everything that’s wrong

DEVELOPMENTS USA

ARE THEY NOW with this country. *Paid for by the Americans Who Hate Jack Boh Foundation*” Yes, at the end of the commercial, the advertisement’s funder is named, usually being the competing nominee. This is even the case with local elections.

Fortunately, the election is now over. Unfortunately, the losing side will not take ‘lose’ as a result, and is thus the source of further ­controversy and dissidence, though this was an inevitable outcome regardless of which side emerged as the victor. So if you find the American news to be too depressing and you want to relax with a few reruns of Knight Rider and never hear another word about the election, just wait for the next commercial break to be sufficiently disheartened by the fact that there is no such thing as good news (or gracious losers).

While watching these news ­channels it can be easy to wonder, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, but you can rest assured that good things still happen to NEDCON USA and its employees. As hate and death continue to be the favorite topics of discussion among Americans, love and life have found a way in the NEDCON USA family. This summer, our very own Pinar Tokur found out that she’s pregnant ­(later discovering that she’s having a boy) and got married! Those of us who were in town attended the ceremony in the park followed by a backyard reception with good music, cozy atmosphere, and

­ elicious Turkish cuisine! Congra­ d tulations to the happy couple and we can’t wait to meet the new baby!

Aside from the wedding, it’s been business (and pleasure) as usual. Most of us were able to take a vacation, though notably Dan Middendorf had to cancel his early-summer Italian vacation ­culminating in a detour to Doe­ tinchem to be recognized for his 12.5 years at NEDCON. Instead, he took a trip to beautiful Harrison, Ohio where, via video conference, Hans and Erik honored him for his dedication and service to the ­company. After the praise and lighthearted jokes, Team USA enjoyed a barbeque lunch and

a round of golf at a nearby golf course. The weather was perfect and the team had a blast!

As for now, everyone is still ­working hard to obtain new ­orders, to make sure current projects are running smoothly, and so that those projects postponed due to corona will be ready to start up again soon as soon as the end-customer sees fit. And we do all this with smiles on our faces.

Of course, you won’t be able to see said smiles, as they’re hidden behind safety masks. But you’ll see it in our slightly squinted eyes or hear it in the tones of our ­voices. In such times of uncertainty, we’re proud to keep NEDCON USA r­ unning like it’s 2019! ■

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COVID & ELECTION

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Koemans Verpakkingen - Bodegraven

Paardekooper - Den Hoorn

Hermes - Haldensleben (Germany)

Paardekooper - Den Hoorn

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ASML - Veldhoven

Van Eyckels - Castrop-Rauxel (Germany)

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DELIVERED PROJECTS

DELIVERED PROJECTS

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FORMER ACCOUNT MANAGER SI

ALEX HOOGVELDT

By Rob van Lier & William Krabbenborg

On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in November, we visit former Account Manager System Integrators Alex Hoogveldt and his wife Florine. Rob connects via Webex as the Finance department is in quarantine; the problems of today. However, this ordeal immediately fades as soon as you meet Alex and his family. In 2013, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, as many of you know.

A beautiful conversation follows, which contains smiles and some tears, and with a man who always chooses to approach life full of optimism and positivity.

Rob - Alex, for the people who do not know you, what can you tell about yourself?

Well, I am Alex Hoogveldt, 54 years old, I worked at NEDCON for 18 years, and I am originally a mechanical engineer. I ended up at NEDCON after my third job so far. I first served in the military for a while – I was one of the last – and then worked for R ­ andstad as an intermediary for technical personnel. I was always commercially minded; I really got that from my father. Then I sat in the sliding doors for a while, in Doorwerth. After a few years, I decided to quit because I was the jack-ofall-trades. I did the purchasing, sales, made the ­drawings and I was also project manager.

William - So you were really just the director…

Yes, but I was not paid for that. I got 100 guilders per door and I was always on the road. Across the country, 60,000 km a year. Then in November 1999 a nice vacancy became available at “the NEDCON” in Doetinchem. I applied myself and then had a conversation with the famous Pieter Smit and Angelika Kreischer. Angelika wanted to test me at that moment and suddenly started talking ­German.

“We will get hold of that Hoogveldt”. H ­ owever, at the company where I had worked b ­ efore, I spoke German every day, so I spoke it back just as easily.

And that was my starting point at NEDCON!

Rob - In what position did you start?

Pieter Smit immediately threw me into the sales and thus the market.

William - In which countries did you work?

Germany, of course, that was also my favorite country. The combination of food, sports and great people to work with. I always had a good time there.

Rob - Let’s go back to your family composition.

What does it look like?

We have a son, Timon, who is almost 18. He studies Mathematics at the university in Nijmegen. He really has a natural ability for mathematics. We also have

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HOW ARE THINGS WITH… two daughters, twins, Tessa and Manouk. They both have studied nursing. One daughter is already graduated and working in the Rijnstate hospital in Arnhem. The other daughter is almost ready and is doing her last internship, also in the Rijnstate. And Florine has been in care for a year now.

I have already gathered my caregivers around me!

William - You are well allocated Alex and have attracted a great selection. What can you tell about the diagnosis you received?

In 2012 my left shoulder started to suffer more and more. I started using it less and less often and it hung like a limp appendage. The writing - I write with my left hand - was also getting worse. I could not read it properly anymore. I then had physiotherapy, received various testosterone injections, and so on. But nothing really helped. At one point I felt the same in my left leg. Then Henk Welleweerd and Ronald Vorwerk said, Alex what is wrong with you? You are different and slower.

Rob - Did you already think at that point that there could be something more serious going on?

No, not at all actually. The illness was unknown to me. However, it was clear that something was going on. But what, that remained unclear for a long time. At one point, after many examinations, a neurologist who was new to me made the diagnosis within 15 minutes: Parkinson’s.

William - What goes through your mind then?

Nothing much happened. I am very down to earth and optimistic, always positive.

Florine: You even just went back to work!

William - It probably had to land too...

Yes that is right. You just go back to your old routine. I immediately remembered the words of the neurologist well: ‘’You do not die from Parkinson’s, but with Parkinson’s.’’ You can grow old with it, but you will get some bullshit and annoying complications at a later age...

In November 2013 I got the diagnosis and I immediately told everything within NEDCON. It feels like one big family and you have nothing to hide from each other. Certainly not if you have been part of the club for so long.

in so much effort to concentrate.

At a certain point that just did not work anymore. So I stopped in 2017. I got a very nice goodbye and a beautiful glossy. I did not want anything, but I was very happy with it and I think back to it with a good feeling.

Rob - What is your week like now?

Very variable. Purely depending on what happens. A few things are certain. I box on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I do special “Parkinson’s boxing”. This also takes half a day. I get a lot of satisfaction from that and it also

Rob - Were you still able to do the work properly at that point?

In the beginning, yes, but after a few years it became more and more difficult.

William - And what did you mainly run into?

The speed and complexity.

Inability to respond assertively. A customer calls, asks something in German and then you have to put

What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disease in which a small group of cells in the brain (in the substantia nigra) are damaged and die. As a result, the cells can no longer produce dopamine. And we need that chemical to be able to move smoothly and to control our body movements. The result is that you get symptoms such as trembling, difficulty in speaking, stiff arms and legs. The disease is slow and progressive and a cure is not yet possible. Everything is being done to achieve this.

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William - I would like to know a little bit more about boxing.

I heard you really discovered that sport in recent years?

gives me a lot of energy. Florine and I also like to do the shopping together, we walk a lot and I have some other hobbies. For example, I make special telephones for people with dementia - called the ‘miracle phone’ (see photo).

Under each button is a song from the old box. In general, people with dementia are very happy about this. I really enjoy building this and making someone else happy! I also like to tinker with bicycles, I transform them into electric variants (see photo). All in all, this also feels like therapy.

I just have to be busy all the time.

I have to keep moving.

Rob - What was the impact on your family?

Florine: It is actually not that bad, isn’t it Alex? You still do everything. We are not yet doing informal caring. For example, smearing the bread in the morning is a bit more difficult, but you can still do it. Alex: I always have to get going in the morning.

At 8 o’clock I take the medication and by 10 o’clock it starts to work. I am of course a lot more at home, but on the other hand, I am always busy.

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That is right. I came into contact with it via Facebook. I had to exercise and I was not doing it at all at that time. I just liked to watch it. As a sport, when you have Parkinson’s, boxing is a very good one because it is one of the few where you need to use your whole body. It is so multidisciplinary. You are challenged to the maximum.

Your mind, your organs, your balance... name it. So we ended up, via Facebook, with people in Ede (the Netherlands) who had brought it from The States. They still did that on a very small scale.

When I joined, I could not help expanding it a bit. Florine: The nice thing is that you also see others getting satisfaction from it. You really see people shine!

Rob - How many members do you have?

When we have everyone together at our location in Ede, we have 20 people. We now also have a location in Zevenaar, where we are with a group of 10. We have now established 16 locations throughout the Netherlands.

Rob - Despite the fact that you have Parkinson’s yourself, you also like to support fellow sufferers in addition to what you do for the boxing club.

What can you tell about that?

I help with ‘Care for Parkinson’s’, among others. This is a new organization with the function of creating a multidisciplinary team around a patient to guide you through the path called Parkinson’s. Supporting others in

WINTER 2020

this is just very rewarding; I am now selling “anti Parkinson’s”.

There are people who are not that positive and I want to help them to see things differently.

I give them tools with which they can get through life. That is a very social function and gives satisfaction. I also volunteer at the Radboud hospital for various studies. These are usually studies in which gadgets are used. For example, in the past 2.5 years, I participated in a large study in which 650 people with Parkinson’s were followed 24 hours a day by means of a special watch.

Rob - What are your prospects?

We do not actually have any.

Everyone’s disease is different (there are about 50,000 people with Parkinson’s in the Netherlands), so you cannot say much about it. Let’s say we live by the week. I am not looking that far ahead. There are many people who suddenly fall over, I see that in my own environment, or just get a bad rash. I am like, we are alive now, we make the very best of it and we will see.

William - You also contribute to a number of good causes. What can you tell about that?

After my diagnosis, I ended up at the Parkinson’s association. I think every Parkinson’s patient should be a member of it. And we are also working on getting that done. The ‘Parkinson’s Association’ is a patient association that represents the interests of patients in the Netherlands. The more members you have, the stronger your position. A professor of neurology has indicated that

HOW ARE THINGS WITH… another pandemic will arrive in 5 years, and not one like Corona, but Parkinson’s. He expects it to double as we get older. And that increases the chance that you will get the disease. It is important that by conducting research we get even more grip on the disease.

William - Back to NEDCON. How did the company deal with the diagnosis?

Very good. Erik Lansink and Henk Welleweerd, among others, and a number of others who are no longer here, have helped me fantastically. NEDCON has done well. I would never have worried about all the arrangements and insurance, but everything is well organized. I really found out then.

A few more pressing questions...

Vitesse or De Graafschap?

Neither. It does not interest me that much anymore. I now have other activities!

Biden or Trump?

Biden, of course...

Football or boxing?

Also not a difficult question, that is boxing of course.

A while ago I answered that question very differently.

Stew or our Dutch specialty ‘’frietje speciaal’’? ‘’Frietje speciaal’’. With ‘’brown fruit’’!

Jinek or Beau?

Jinek. I like to watch it.

Seeking or avoiding conflict?

Avoiding, I do not feel like doing that anymore. In my time at NEDCON, I still argued against it, but that is different now.

I have calmed down.

Rob - What impresses you most about your working period at NEDCON? The fact that we just sold a very good product and that the company is located in the Achterhoek. I also consciously started working in the Achterhoek. I really liked the mentality of the “Easterners”.

It was also very beautiful and interesting that I saw so many countries, cultures and nationalities through the work.

Watch the video of Alex and his commitment to the Parkinson Association here!

William - What do you want to say to the colleagues within NEDCON? That you really should enjoy life.

Take what you can, in a positive way. Remember that your health is your greatest asset and honor it. It could end in no time.

Seize the day! ■

Do you want to donate?

Do you want to make a donation so that Parkinson Boxing can ­continue to work on improving the training program, the ­implementation of boxing projects and the purchase of aids?

This can be done via NL 57 RABO 0340 2210 97, in the name of St. RockSteadyBoxing Netherlands. On behalf of Alex, thank you very much!

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