Introduction
Twenty-three years ago, I joined MechDes as employee number 16. Today, with around 100 engineers as colleagues, I find myself back where it all started for me: close to the technology and close to the customer. After eight years as Manager Operations and a member of the management team, I have transitioned into the role of Project Manager while also taking on responsibilities in Business Development for the machine building industry.
I joined MechDes in 2003 through an unexpected route. After studying Mechanical Engineering at university of applied sciences, I was looking for a job near Nunspeet, where I still live and where I enjoy exploring the Veluwe forests on my mountain bike. An application at AWL did not result in a position, but it did lead to some valuable advice: "Give Henk at MechDes Engineering a call."
I had my interview on a Friday, and Henk enthusiastically suggested I could start the following Monday. Having just graduated, I asked if I could first take two weeks to catch my breath. That was no problem, but I was handed three SOLIDWORKS CD-ROMs to practice with at home in the meantime.
That was the mindset I started my career with in March 2003, and looking back, it has never really changed: practical, hands-on, and willing to figure things out yourself if necessary. That same mindset is shared by my colleagues. We don't shy away from challenges. In fact, we're often the first to step forward when things become difficult.
Close to the Technology, Always Looking for New Opportunities
I truly enjoyed my role as Manager Operations: leading teams, supporting people, and learning every day. But my heart has always been with projects, engineering, and building solutions together with others. Before studying Mechanical Engineering, I completed a degree in Automotive Engineering. Working with machines has always been second nature to me. That passion extends beyond work as well. On weekends, you'll often find me underneath the hood of my 1960 Volkswagen Beetle, figuring out why something no longer works and bringing it back to life.
That desire to fully understand how things work never disappeared. It was simply a little further removed from my daily responsibilities. Now that I have handed over my Operations role to our new Operations Director, Mark Rankenberg, I once again have the opportunity to focus on the technical side of projects as a Project Manager.
What makes this transition even more interesting is the combination with Business Development. MechDes aims to expand into new market segments, and I see promising opportunities in areas that are still relatively unexplored. Last summer I already started laying the groundwork by attending industry events, conferences, trade fairs, and meeting potential customers. Not simply to increase brand awareness, but to understand where MechDes can genuinely create value. That approach has been energizing and has already resulted in several promising leads.
There is another practical advantage to combining Project Management and Business Development. In many organizations, there is a considerable gap between the people selling projects and those delivering them. I understand both sides of that process. When I sit down with a customer, I know exactly what we can realistically achieve. That shortens communication lines and ultimately benefits the customer.
Finding the Real Question Behind the Challenge
What defines MechDes for me is that we never simply accept a question at face value. Rather than acting purely as consultants or a research firm, we prefer to dig deeper. We ask questions our customers may not expect, sometimes challenging ones, because we first want to understand why something is needed before deciding how to solve it.
A customer's request can be interpreted in many different ways. Our job is to peel back the layers: What do you really need? Where do you want to go? Where do you see your business five years from now?
By fully understanding the underlying challenge, we often arrive at a better solution than originally envisioned. Sometimes that confirms the initial direction. Other times it leads to an even better alternative. You only discover those possibilities by working together. That's why we prefer to talk about building together rather than simply delivering. We work with our customers, not just for them, and that collaboration starts from the very first conversation.
My new role focuses primarily on what we call the general industry: the machine building sector in its broadest sense, ranging from smaller SMEs to larger manufacturers. It's a clearly defined market with plenty of room for growth.
Engineering Close to the Customer, and Close to Each Other
We have recently expanded our Project Management team significantly. Stefan Schouten and I have joined the team, and Ronald Bijsterbosch has recently come on board as well, almost doubling our project management capacity.
One of the things that sets MechDes apart is our belief in direct communication between customers and engineers. On smaller projects, a Lead Engineer can comfortably take on the role of Project Manager. On larger projects, a Project Manager remains responsible for the overall project, but that doesn't mean standing between the customer and the engineer. In fact, when discussing technical details, customers often prefer speaking directly with the engineer. Engineering isn't politics. Clear technical discussions without unnecessary intermediaries lead to faster and better results.
Our new Technical Director, Sander den Oudsten, also plays an important role in this approach. I involve him in ongoing projects so he can identify where additional technical expertise may be valuable. We intentionally employ technically trained Project Managers who can engage in meaningful engineering discussions with customers, while Sander provides additional depth whenever needed. In this way, his knowledge naturally flows back into the organization through both our Project Managers and engineers.
A Culture You Can't Copy
Over the past 23 years, I've seen many colleagues come and go, but the core of MechDes has always remained remarkably strong. That's thanks to a combination of strong teamwork and continuous variety. I still remember how, years ago, we would all visit a colleague who had just become a father, partners included. Experiences like that create genuine connections. At the same time, the work itself remains incredibly diverse. One project may involve intralogistics machinery, while the next focuses on mission equipment for an offshore vessel or engineering structures that strengthen Dutch infrastructure. That variety keeps our people sharp, curious, and motivated.
We also have a genuinely open culture built on mutual respect, without ego or unnecessary hierarchy. That's one of the reasons we've built such a close-knit team. People choose MechDes because they value this way of working together. Looking back on my years as a manager, one of the most rewarding experiences has been seeing young engineers arrive as rough diamonds and grow into confident professionals who find their own place within the organization.
I see something similar in my personal life while supporting my two sons during table tennis tournaments. I watch them arrive nervous and uncertain, only to grow in confidence and sometimes even win championships. My role isn't to play the game for them, but to help them believe in themselves, even after an unexpected setback. Sometimes that encouragement makes all the difference.
Perhaps that's the common thread running through the past twenty-three years. It's never been about standing in the spotlight myself. It's about helping customers, colleagues, or even my own children take that next step forward. That's exactly how I see my new role as well: not watching from the sidelines, but being part of the project from the very first question, building solutions together.
Let's Discuss Your Machine Building Challenge
Gerrit is happy to think along with you about the challenge behind your question. Get in touch and discover how we can build the right solution together. You can reach Gerrit at +31 6 106 889 20 or g.mulder@mechdes.nl
