For the autumn edition of Master Magazine, we visited Olminkhof Neede. We spoke to Jeroen Olminkhof, who, together with his brother André Olminkhof, owns the family business based in Neede in Gelderland. Full of pride and passion, he talks about the company, which has been around for over 100 years, and how they have specialised in contracting and earthmoving. Together with their employees, they are ready for their customers day and night.
Olminkhof Neede, then and now
The company has been passed down through the years from father to son. Its history begins in 1921 with Jeroen and André’s great-grandfather, who was
hired with his scythe to mow out ditches. ‘Our grandfather, Bernard Olminkhof, took over the business from him. He did that together with his brother,’ Jeroen says. He continues: ‘In the 1960s, the company was split into two branches. Bernard Olminkhof stayed in Neede and his brother established himself in Lochem.’
The branches in Neede were eventually taken over by Hein Olminkhof, Jeroen and André’s father, and his brother Wim. Meanwhile, the
Lochem branch has been dissolved and only the Neede branch still exists. In the 1990s, Hein Olminkhof’s three sons, including Jeroen and André, took over the company. As Wim Olminkhof had no successors, all shares were sold to Hein.
Olminkhof Neede now has 28 permanent employees and over 100 different machines being worked with.
Just before corona time, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. In honour of this anniversary, the company last year held an open day followed by a festive evening for staff and customers.
staff and customers.
Working together
The two brothers know what to do with each other and have a good division of tasks within the company. André is mainly active in the field and is assigned to various jobs. He is also responsible for the workshop and supervises trainees.
Jeroen mainly deals with administrative tasks, such as invoicing, calculation and planning. But if things get tight somewhere
becomes tight or help is needed, I fly out of the office and jump on a machine,’ Olminkhof laughs. He continues: ‘We complement each other, which makes us a good team.’ The wives of both Jeroen and André also help out within the company. They assist with administrative work in the office.
Teamwork makes the dream work
André and Jeroen always decide which machines to invest in in pairs. This is always done in consultation with the staff first, so
We first put some leaflets on the table in the canteen. Then we listen carefully to what they think of it and what they need, and finally we take a decision’, Jeroen says.
Jeroen explains. Jeroen and André do a lot together with the staff; they find it important that there is a close-knit team feeling. Last summer
for instance, we went to the company drinks together during the party in the village, which is just really nice and important to do together.’
Every working week also ends with a Friday afternoon drink, of course.
At home in all markets
The company operates in various sectors. They do a lot of agricultural contracting work, but also work with Vitens in earth-moving,
Leander and other contractors in the area. They also take on many other jobs, such as paving and demolition work. We also visit many private homes and work together with gardeners and landscapers. In addition, we do a lot for the municipality.’
‘The ratio of contract work to earthworks is about 50/50,’ Jeroen says. He continues: ‘In winter time it is more earthmoving and in spring and
summer, contract work plays a big role’.
‘The best thing about our profession is that every day is different. We all have enthusiastic employees who want to go for it. Then it’s hup, get the job done on time and on to the next customer,’ Jeroen says with a smile on his face.
This does not only apply on weekdays, the team is also ready for their customers at the weekend, for example if the weather conditions suddenly turn.
SVgroup’s machines
From the beginning, Olminkhof Neede has been a customer of Jan Veenhuis and VMR (now Veenhuis).
‘The contact was always good, in consultation everything was possible and the machines have a long service life,’ says Jeroen. He continues: ‘There are always short lines of communication with, for example, the sales people, the agreements made were always kept and they thought along with you’. When asked what characterises SVgroup’s machines, Jeroen immediately answers: ‘Solid, high-quality and with a clean finish. The machines hardly ever have any problems and have a low maintenance requirement. Actually, we have never had any problems.’
Several tippers and hooklifts from Jan Veenhuis can be found on the farm. It also works with Veenhuis silage wagons, Veenhuis transport tanks and, until recently, Veenhuis silage spreaders. From the Schuitemaker brand, the company has three pick-up wagons, which are also regularly used in the field during the grass and maize harvest.
Building for the future
That the business will be continued in the future is certain, but in what way time will tell. André’s sons already work in the business, as does my son-in-law who lives with my daughter near the farm. They keep an eye on things at night,’ Jeroen laughs. ‘It is too early now to say how this will be shaped in the future, first André and I may continue for a few more years,’ he continues, laughing.
The brothers have no ambition to grow even bigger at the moment. ‘We have a group of enthusiastic guys working, everyone knows each other and goes through fire for each other. If you get bigger, that will become less and you will get a different atmosphere within the company,’ Jeroen says. He continues: ‘We have a nice clientele that we can work for, so the plan is actually to maintain this.’ A company to be rightly proud of! ■
