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Van Raam produces uniquely special needs bicycles and specializes in tricycles, transport bikes, scooterbikes, wheelchair bikes, tandem bikes, double rider bikes, and low step trough bikes (also known as comfortbikes). Each model is also available as an electric bike (Pedelec).
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vanRaam is a Dutch producer of unique custom bikes. Want to know more about our company or special needs bikes?
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Shirley: “We're not just a factory, I can actually help people here”
Shirley Hooijman has been working at vanRaam since 2017. As a technician, she started in assembly. Always looking for new challenges, she has since become technical coordinator in the Aftersales department. Shirley: “No day is ever the same in Aftersales.”
How does vanRaam move you?
“I joined vanRaam in 2017 as an assembler in regular production. They asked if I wanted to help on the Fun2Go line. That’s where I learned all the steps of line assembly. Then I was asked to become a line coordinator. After about a year and a half, the challenge started to fade; I knew that bike inside and out by then. So I began helping with final technical inspections, solving problems on multiple bikes.”
“You always get the opportunity to grow here. If you say what you enjoy doing, they really take it seriously. I started having problems with my fingers from all the mechanical work. When I mentioned I wanted something different, the team leader from Aftersales came to me and asked: ‘Would you like to work with us?’ I already had a lot of knowledge about the bikes, so I could move from assembly to the office. I could still do technical work, just without the physical strain.”
“It may sound cliché, but vanRaam really is a great company. We keep growing, but we stay down-to-earth. The director walks around the company with his lunchbox like everyone else. After New Year’s, everyone goes around wishing each other a happy new year. You can talk to anyone. There’s truly a friendly atmosphere.”
What moves you at vanRaam?
“It’s in my nature to help when I can, that’s my motivation. When a dealer has a problem, I think: what can I do about this? I enjoy that, it’s like a puzzle. When you can make that dealer happy, it feels good; the dealer can then help the end user. You see, vanRaam is a factory, but not ‘just a factory.’ We’ll always try to help. We always try to make a difference.”
How do you notice that you make a difference?
“One time, a dealer sent me a bouquet of flowers because I’d gone the extra mile to help. That really meant something to me, they were so grateful. Sometimes people drop by with sausage rolls or cake. And for example, we helped someone who cycles for ALS. We lend him a battery every year so he can complete his ride.”
“What’s also great, is that we can see exactly who we’re doing our work for. In the old building, customers sometimes literally cycled through the factory. I once saw a little kid take off like a rocket, with the salesperson running after them! I saw people truly having fun on bikes that we had built.”
“Now in the new building, we still have a view of the test track from the factory. And on the screens in the factory, we see photos:‘vanRaam spotted!’ . We also hear stories from end users saying: ‘We’ve got our freedom back.’ That’s so rewarding.”
I saw people truly having fun. On bikes that we had built.
What’s it like being a woman in technology?
“When I started in Aftersales, there were almost only men. Dealers calling with technical questions often asked for a male colleague. One of my female coworkers told me: ‘Don’t transfer the call, surprise them!’ . So that’s what I started doing. I’d say to the dealers: ‘Go ahead and ask your question, maybe I’ll surprise you.’ That’s how they got to know me. Now, we have a good balance between men and women in the department. Women really do have technical insight. Whatever your age or background, you can do this job.”
Working with people at vanRaam
Use your commercial talent to make a real impact: at vanRaam, you give people back their freedom. Not standard sales, but working together to create mobility for everyone. Discover working with people at vanRaam.
Do you have any questions?
We're happy to help! Contact our recruiter Britt.
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