Who are the directors of Martin Stolze?
Martin Stolze was recently acquired by Kind Technologies, a company committed to growth and innovation. The subsidiaries Martin Stolze, Beltech, Vimec Applied Vision Technology, Crux Agribotics and Koat reinforce each other in the field of knowledge, development and network. The new management of Martin Stolze now consists of Bram van Paassen as commercial director and Wido Kruijswijk as technical director. They are still looking for an operational director. The management is convinced that the resources they have received under the auspices of Kind Technologies ensure a bright future in the Horticulture and Fruit & Vegetable sectors.
Bram van Paassen (30 years) Commercial Director at Martin Stolze
Bram was born and raised in De Lier. As a gardener’s son, he has been active in horticulture from an early age until he started working in the commercial department of a supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables during his studies in business economics. There he gained his first commercial skills. After studying and traveling through Australia and New Zealand for 9 months, he came to work with Martin Stolze in 2015. A company he immediately clicked with.
As an internal sales representative, he supported the representatives and made cost price calculations for all products. Soon afterwards, in his position of controller, he was able to provide insight into Martin Stolze’s financial position and to propose and implement improvements. In addition to this position, he was involved in the implementation of the ERP system. The system containing all relations, articles, orders, purchase invoices, etc. In May 2019 Bram was given the position of head of sales. Since then, Bram and the sales team have put a lot of energy into optimizing processes, professionalizing the department and realizing growth.
Bram: “Martin Stolze b.v. is a nice company. We have got motivated people and there is a good atmosphere. Know what the job is and we get the job done together, which is something I find very important within a company. We will continue to grow in 2021, we want to offer every grower a high-quality solution in the field of internal transport. Staff is scarce and expensive. Ergonomic working is important for the health of the staff and ensures higher productivity. We want to take work off your hands and make the work that remains easier. Of course, the growth we envision should never come at the expense of our core value. Quality, Service and Customer Orientation. We will never lose sight of the 3 core value with which Martin Stolze has grown in 30 years.”
Wido Kruijswijk (51 years) Technical Director at Martin Stolze
Wido was born in Kwintsheul, a real horticultural village. From there he became infected with the horticultural virus. Sport is a red line in his life. Until the age of 13, Wido performed regional gymnastics. After that, he became addicted to handball and started cycling. Wido got to know his wife Daniette through sports and together they have 2 daughters and 1 son. Now he spends his free time guiding and training the Women’s Selection Quintus. Wido: ”Sport has shaped me in who I am and the way I work. If you fall you get up and without struggle there is no victory are sayings that fit me.
Team achievements are the best moments to experience together. You don’t become a champion just like that, you have to do a lot for that and that is no different at work.” In addition to technical experience, knowledge of people is one of Wido’s strong qualities. He tries to make the most of people’s talents and give them self-confidence. Wido: “I believe in the fact that with a TEAM you perform more and better than a collection of individuals. I like it when a customer shares a problem with us and we as a Team are allowed to translate it into a fully developed technical solution.”
Wido did the MTS and production technology at the HTS in Rotterdam. After graduating in PV systems (solar collectors), he worked at Dinfa as an assistant manager. There Wido learned fine mechanics from old hands in the trade. Wido has set up various automation projects internally at Dinfa, such as ERP and CAM, and set up a DinfaMAS assembly department. After further growth, he was asked to set up PrivaMechatronics with the aim of applying robots in horticulture. Later, as head of the business office of WPS, he contributed to the realization of a growth to 75 people. He came to Martin Stolze 15 years ago through a friend of Martin.
Wido: ”I always had the dream to start something for myself. Martin offered me the opportunity to build the company together. I didn’t want to let that opportunity go. Even then I thought that the company had everything it needed to become a major player in horticulture and fresh produce in the field of internal automation.”