Interview: Edwin Nijland

What does your job entail?

Edwin: I manage two Euro-Rijn Group entities in Germany, one being Euro-Rijn Deutschland and one being Eurosalt Deutschland. Besides managing both companies, I motivate and develop the employees to further grow the companies together with our esteemed customer base, suppliers and partners.

What differentiates your subsidiary from other companies?

Edwin: Euro-Rijn Deutschland and Eurosalt GmbH operate in Germany and are, along with Euro-Rijn Italia, two of the facilities outside The Netherlands. This places us in a unique international position at the Euro-Rijn Group. What differentiates us in our services is the fact that we combine Dutch entrepreneurship with German Quality of Service. Supporting and improving the business goals of our customers is the continuous motivation to deliver & develop our products, services and activities.

What qualities do you believe are important in your position?

Edwin: I set the standard at which we deliver our services and products and try to be a role model at the company. I create a clear mission and vision statement which we apply at our business and I create and facilitate an atmosphere in which people can excel and where our esteemed customers feel at home.

How do the Euro-Rijn Group and your subsidiary collaborate and communicate effectively?

Edwin: At the Euro-Rijn Group we work closely together with Euro-Rijn Global Logistics and Eurosalt in The Netherland, but we also work with, for example, Multi Cargo Logistics to offer our customers a suitable all-in solution. Day to day we discuss our operational activities as effectively as possible within the company to align our services and monthly we meet with the Euro-Rijn Board of Management for a general meeting regarding our own business developments. In addition to this we meet monthly with the Euro-Rijn Logistics Holding managers to assure an effective collaboration between the different logistics companies and exchange valuable market information for mutual benefit.

How would you describe the Euro-Rijn culture?

Edwin: Entrepreneurship is a big factor at the Euro-Rijn Group. We work hard and collaborate effectively to offer the best solutions and products to our customers. Internally we offer our employees freedom in their work and externally we are transparent and loyal to our customers and partners.

How does your subsidiary go about finding new employees?

Edwin: We try to communicate the Euro-Rijn culture as much as possible via Social Media so that we find the right people to work at our company. In addition it is always good to focus on word of mouth advertising and make sure to ask employees for input about bringing new colleagues on board.

What are the goals for the future at your company?

Edwin: Our main focus is our current customer base and offering them the best solution possible. Delivering Quality will enable us to grow together. In addition to this we will try to find new customers by cross selling activities between the Euro-Rijn Group companies. We have secured double digit growth in the last couple of years and we continue our mission on this path. We need to have a sustainable and significant position in the markets in which we operate to be considered a valuable partner of choice.

Can you tell us about any recent developments at the company?

Edwin: We are expanding the services we offer regarding container transport. We’ve implemented an active container flow between Germany and England. We are now in the process of adding France and Spain to our container flow. We also work on improving the way we can serve the market as Euro-Rijn Deutschland and improve the way we collaborate with Euro-Rijn logistics companies. At Eurosalt we are continuously working towards a stronger position in Germany with respect to our distribution volume regarding water softening salt and de-icing salt. Next to that our cross-selling actions are showing first signs of new developments. In conclusion, both our customers and our ambitions for the future keep us going day-to-day.

What is the best business advice you have ever received?

Edwin: “Alone you can work fast, but by collaborating you will go further.” As well as “quality is not something you discuss, it is something you deliver.” One more iconic phrase: “It always seems impossible until it is done”.

At Euro-Rijn Deutschland we are always happy to be of service. For more information you can visit our company page.

You can contact Edwin Nijland via:

e.nijland@eurorijn.com
+49 2066 205 00