Sometimes great opportunities start with something small

“It immediately felt like the right place for me: a growing company, short communication lines and a strong focus on enjoying your work. Being close to home also brought more peace of mind and a better work-life balance,” says Anoek.

A period of growth and change 

During her first years, Anoek had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects.

“With a doubt, the absolute highlight was the move to our new building in Werkendam: an intensive project where planning, organizing, and above all teamwork were at the heart of everything,” she recalls.

For months, she travelled back and forth between the old and new locations wearing worn-out jeans and a work jacket.

For several months, the entire focus was on making the transition a success. From construction-related matters to the practical setup of workstations, everything had to be arranged. Flexibility and improvisation quickly became part of everyday life. A scaffold occasionally served as a desk and a crate as a chair. Not ideal, but certainly effective.

“Together with my colleagues, we ensured that the move went smoothly and that both people and resources found their place in the new building without any issues. The festive opening that followed, attended by customers, business partners, family, and friends, was a wonderful conclusion to a special project and a moment we could all be proud of”.

Moving into Operations 

Around two and a half years ago, Car Lock Systems introduced a new organizational structure. For Anoek, this meant moving into Operations, an environment that suits her well. 

Today, as Operations Manager, she is responsible for Customer Service, Warehouse, Production and Logistics. Leading a team of around 50 collegues, she play a key role in managing and optimizing operational processes.

Together with the Operations team, significant progress has been made. Departments that previsously worked alongside one another now collaborate much more closely and efficiently. Processes are better aligned and deceisions are made faster directly benefiting our service levels.

Every day, we process around 1,000 orders for customers across Europe and beyond. That requires flexibility, oversight and strong cooperation between different disciplines.

Working together and continuously improving 

“What makes this role special to me is the team. And not just the team leaders and managers I work with directly, but everyone. 

Over the past few years, there has been a strong focus on development and collaboration. Colleagues have broadened their skill sets, taken on new responsibilities or advanced within the organization. At the time, there is also room for people who prefer stability in their current roles. Both are equally valuable.” 

Thanks to that balance and mutual flexibility, we are better equipped to handle peak periods and unexpected situations. 

“Of course, things don’t always go according to plan, and that’s part of the job. What matters most is how you respond as a team. Collaboration and the drive to keep improving are at the heart of everything we do.” 

The Power of teamwork 

“We work hard for our customers every day, but what gives me the most energy are the colleagues I get to work with. Together we achieve goals, support one another and genuinely care about each other. We also have a lot of gun along the way, That’s what motivates me every single day.”