Tom Meijers and Lynn Geurts opened the doors of the new Nomilk2day branch at Brightlands Campus Greenport in Venlo six months ago. While a gradual start-up phase was initially expected, reality proved otherwise: from day one, the branch was almost immediately operating at full capacity. With a strong network, efficient communication in the region, and a clear focus on agri & food, they have been steadily building their position in the southern Netherlands ever since.
How do you immediately make a difference for customers in this region?
Tom:
“What we see here is that organizations need speed and quality. With a strong network in South Netherlands, we can act quickly and reach the right people promptly. This means that our customers do not waste time, but can take immediate steps with the right candidates."
Lynn:
“In this market, finding good candidates is not about waiting, but about targeted search and leveraging the right network. We can swiftly adapt and provide structure in the process. This not only leads to quicker results for customers, but also provides more control and overview."
How were you able to start so quickly?
Tom:
“The most important aspect is that we already had a strong network in South Netherlands from Zwolle. We could build on that directly, so we didn't have to start from scratch. We quickly received assignments from existing relationships and could immediately initiate procedures. This really made a difference in the speed of our start-up."
Why did you choose Venlo and Brightlands Campus?
Tom:
“For us personally, it's nice to work close to home, but the choice is mainly driven by content. Venlo is a strong region in agri & food, with logistics and manufacturing as important sectors. This makes it an interesting and dynamic market for us. Here, you are really close to the companies we work for."
Lynn:
“Additionally, Brightlands Campus offers a strong ecosystem. You are surrounded by companies, start-ups, and knowledge institutions within the sector. This makes it easier to be visible and establish quick contacts. It truly strengthens our position in the region."
When did you realize that this branch had real potential?
Lynn:
“That feeling came quite early, when we started handling the first procedures in Limburg. You can sense a lot of activity here, and the network is extensive and accessible. Additionally, Tom speaking Limburgish sometimes gives that extra bit of confidence. These small things can really make a difference in interactions with candidates and customers."
Tom:
“For me, that moment was mainly the realization of how close everything is. Our clients are often within a half-hour to three-quarters of an hour's drive, which is a significant difference from Zwolle. This allows for quicker adjustments and easier relationship building. It confirmed to me that this region has a lot of potential."
Which companies are you currently working with in the region?
Tom:
“We are now collaborating with a diverse range of companies in South Netherlands. Think of organizations like Fancom, Gipmans, and Direct Source International, as well as innovative start-ups like S&DB. Additionally, we are working for parties such as The New Originals Company and various seed breeders in the region. What is characteristic is that we work throughout the entire chain: from agri to food, and from production to retail."
Can you provide examples of successful placements?
Tom:
“Certainly, we have already achieved several successful placements in a short time. For Direct Source International, we filled a CFO/COO position at the executive level. We worked on an Operations Manager role for The New Originals Company, and filled a specialized role in seed technology for a seed breeder. These are exactly the types of positions where our agency can make a difference."
Lynn:
“What I find beautiful is that it's not just about the placement, but also about the collaboration that arises from it. We notice that customers often come back to us with new issues after a successful fulfillment. This instills trust and shows that we truly add value. Especially in a new region, this is an important signal.”
What are you most proud of after six months?
Lynn:
“How quickly we have grown as a branch. We literally started by setting up the office and handling one procedure at a time. Now we are running multiple processes in parallel and functioning as a full-fledged team. The collaboration with Zwolle has been a key success factor in this.”
Tom:
“You can see this growth in practice as well. We have had a clear upward trend in the number of procedures and assignments. Moreover, companies are increasingly finding us and returning to us. This shows that we have really achieved something in a short time.”
How is Nomilk2day's brand awareness in the south?
Tom:
“It is still developing and varies by type of company. Organizations that operate nationally or internationally often already know us well. There are still companies in the region itself that are not familiar with us. This presents a great opportunity for further growth for us.”
You already knew each other from a previous employer. How does that help in your collaboration?
Lynn:
“Especially in the initial phase, that was very valuable. We already knew how to work together and what to expect from each other. Since recruitment was new to me, it gave me confidence that we were taking this step together. It allowed us to quickly establish a good foundation.”
How do you complement each other as a team?
Tom:
“Lynn excels in structure and process, which is extremely important in recruitment. In a dynamic environment, it helps to maintain overview and clarity. Together, we established clear methodologies from the beginning. This now forms the basis for further growth and expansion of the team.”
What does the Brightlands Campus Greenport mean for your work?
Lynn:
“Here you encounter people from the sector daily, making interaction more accessible. The door opens faster and conversations flow more easily. This aids in building relationships and showcasing what we do. The network here truly works to our advantage.”
Tom:
“Additionally, concrete opportunities arise through the ecosystem. Think of start-ups or companies that come into contact with us through investors. This has already brought us assignments that we might not have received as quickly otherwise. So, the location truly contributes to our growth.”
Where do you hope to be in a year?
Tom:
“That we continue to grow in the same way, but with an even stronger foundation. We want to further optimize our processes and structure. So that new colleagues can quickly get on board and effectively contribute. The goal is to have a stable and scalable organization in the South of the Netherlands.”
Are you looking for new colleagues?
Lynn:
“Yes, we have open positions and are actively seeking expansion. We are open to various profiles, depending on experience and background. The most important thing is that someone gets energy from recruitment and has affinity with our sector. We are really looking for people who want to grow with us.”
Tom:
“We consider both starters and more experienced consultants. Experience in recruitment is a plus, but commercial experience in agri or food can also be a good fit. The key is that someone has the drive to build. And that fits this stage of the branch.”