Martin van Beusichem - Project Manager, Heat and Control B.V.
“It's fantastic to be involved in the transformation process from an empty factory hall to a fully operational factory.” Martin van Beusichem works on behalf of Heat and Control on innovative solutions in the world of food equipment. “Due to the wide range of machines and technologies, there are still products I haven't come across even after eight years.”
Martin van Beusichem - Project Manager
When we talk to Project Manager Martin van Beusichem, Heat and Control in Lelystad is in the midst of moving to a new and larger building nearby. This family business, specializing in manufacturing machines for coating, cooking, frying, heating, inspecting, and packaging snacks, frozen vegetables, poultry, meat, fish, and more, was founded over 70 years ago by five engineers in San Francisco. Today, the company has 1800 employees worldwide and operates more than 30 offices and warehouses.
Heat and Control has been active in the Netherlands for 15 years. What's happening here?
“In Lelystad, we are responsible for selling state-of-the-art machines for the 24-hour food industry in the North, Central, and East Europe region. We also have a spare parts warehouse and a demonstration and testing area where customers can experiment with coating and seasoning products. We started 15 years ago with just four colleagues, and now we have grown to a team of 30 employees. Our systems are manufactured in our own production facilities in Australia, USA, India, and China. From there, they are shipped worldwide and installed and commissioned by our own employees.”
What kind of projects are you working on? Can you give an example?
“We designed and built the complete factory site for a market leader in the chip industry. From washing and cutting the potatoes to baking seasoned chips, including heat exchangers and controls. It's fantastic to be involved in the transformation process from an empty factory hall to a fully operational factory.”
And you also work with the latest technologies, right?
“Certainly. We are constantly working to make processes and machines more energy-efficient and to recover heat and water. Another important focus is improving the lifespan and quality of the cooking oil in the frying process. Due to the high costs of, for example, sunflower oil, this is extremely interesting for our customers. Keeping up with these market trends is crucial for the future, as the food processing industry constantly demands innovation. If you don't keep up with these developments, you quickly fall behind.”
What is your strategy for the future?
“Our focus and ambition for this office lie in market expansion. Although historically we have been active in the snack industry, a growing sector, we want to become an even more attractive player with a wider range of machines for other industries. Another focus is improving our service and customer support.”
What do you see as your strong point?
“As a family business, we focus on providing the right technical solutions that specifically meet our customers' needs. The machines and production lines we deliver are often custom-made, and we are known for never letting the customer down. We don't leave until everything works properly, and we are only satisfied when the customer is satisfied as well. That means we don't walk away when things get tough.”
Is that also where the challenge lies in your work?
“The biggest challenge is in communication. It's important that the right information is efficiently exchanged between our office and the factories. We deal with different cultures and time zones. Towards customers, it's essential that they get what they expect. Managing the latter well involves being clear about what can and cannot be done, and responding quickly and accurately to service requests. Therefore, it's important to proactively gather information so you get the answers you need to move forward.”
That's not in the technical aspects? Some machines look quite complex.
"It's not that bad. Initially, the systems we deliver may look quite complex with a tangle of pipes, pumps, valves, and various processes involving water, steam, etc. As you learn more about the products and processes, you start to understand the complexity better and can oversee the whole thing. For me, it was indeed a fun challenge to familiarize myself with this subject."
You've been working there for eight years. Do you master all the techniques by now?
"Not everything, after eight years there are still products I haven't encountered before. This is because Heat and Control offers a wide range of machines and technologies. The beauty of it is that I keep learning about what our machines can do and what possibilities exist. Therefore, my work remains innovative and interesting."
Why did you choose this employer specifically?
"I have always worked in the technical departments of companies, but at some point, I wanted more direct contact with customers. As a project manager, I am a link between engineers and customers; this allows me to work closely with companies and derive satisfaction from happy customers. And despite being a large international company, it feels like a small organization in Lelystad. One that is steadily growing, offering many opportunities."
There are 30 people, some of whom are technicians. How is the working atmosphere?
"The atmosphere is pleasant and open. There is room for a chat and a game of table tennis during breaks. You have quite a bit of freedom and can contribute ideas on how to improve things. Colleagues are helpful. You are never alone in this. We are truly a team. Ultimately, it's about people. They are our most important asset."
Are you ready to take the next step? Then get in touch with us.
Photographer: Pim van der Maden
[Published: November 2023]
