Happily employed for 46 years

Ben Haarsma started at Mennens (then Den Haan) as a steel wire rope worker over 46 years ago. His intention was to stay for five years and then move on. But things turned out differently. Ben explains.

"The day I started at Den Haan, the first question in the workshop was: how long will you stay? I answered that after about five years I would like to go and do something else. My colleagues understood that.

Those five years have turned into more than 46. In addition to being a steel wire rope worker, I have also been a steel wire rope foreman and foreman for dispatch and the workshop. I am now enjoying my role as workshop and logistics manager in Dongen. A beautiful moment that has always stayed with me was with a customer who wanted to buy a steel wire rope. When I asked him what he was going to use the rope for, he replied that I was being rather inquisitive. But when he told me what he was going to use it for, I recommended another rope to him. He liked that and he thanked me for it. That's what Mennens still stands for. I really appreciate that!"