Dave van Kats takes the floor

Dave van Kats
Crane operator

Dave completed the apprenticeship/work program and is now a full member of the group.

How did you end up at Jan van Dam?

Around the age of 17, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do. That's when I started doing holiday work at Jan van Dam, and I actually liked it. So, afterwards, I enrolled in the apprenticeship program through STL at Jan van Dam Machine Transport. I would work four days a week and attend school for one day. During this training, I also obtained my truck driver's license, so I could start working as a driver right after finishing my apprenticeship. After my internship, I briefly worked for a telecrane company, but eventually returned and have been working at Jan van Dam for 3 years now.

You're currently operating a truck-mounted crane, why did you pursue these qualifications?

During my internship, I spent a lot of time on the road and had the opportunity to explore what I enjoyed doing. I often accompanied crane operators, which I found interesting, so I decided to obtain my truck-mounted crane qualifications. Eventually, I got my own vehicle with an 85-ton meter crane, and now I operate the truck with a 300-ton meter crane.

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'Even though the company has grown you notice that there is still personal attention for everyone. '

What do you enjoy about your job?

Every day is different, and there's a lot of challenge in this line of work. Sometimes you can easily position the machine, while other times you have to move the machine internally on wheels, which requires more effort. Recently, we were somewhere where the customer had measured the door but forgot to consider the narrower points. We had to figure out on the spot how to make it work. It was a bit of a puzzle to get the machine in place, but we managed!

Which project/task stands out to you?

That would be the project in Hagenau. I went there with a colleague to replace a drum. It wasn't as straightforward as it sounds; to reach the drum with the crane, we had to lift the truck-mounted crane to a height of 1.5 meters. That's not something you experience every day!

How do you feel about working in a family business?

I don't know any different, to be honest. You can tell it's truly a family-run business, and everyone is committed to it. Even though the company has grown, you still sense that there's personal attention for everyone.

Jan van Dam Group

The Jan van Dam Group is represented in two companies:

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Services 

Assembly/disassembly and anchoring

Relocating and installing machines

Machine storage

Industrial relocation

National and international road transport

Equipment

Truck-mounted cranes

Tractors and trucks

Forklifts and aerial platforms

Lifting portals 

Contact

Head Office

Wilgenweg 20
3421 TV Oudewater
The Netherlands

Warehouse Maasvlakte

Dolfijnweg 4
3199 MD Rotterdam
The Netherlands

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Industrieweg 44
4538 AJ Terneuzen
The Netherlands