Having been a familiar face at Hacon Containers for decades, we can now officially introduce our Joeri Roos as the new director of Hacon Container Modifications. This 41-year-old technology enthusiast started his career at 16 as an assistant mechanic in utility construction. He preferred practical work over theory, trading books for a welding machine. This path has led him to where he is now: director of Hacon Container Modifications. His secret? Swimming against the tide and approaching things differently. We interviewed Joeri about his career and future plans as the new director of HCM.
Joeri’s adventure at Hacon Containers began in 2007 as a freelancer. He took on some projects for special construction, but as demand increased significantly, we persuaded Joeri to join Hacon as an employee. Since then, he has closely witnessed the growth and transformation of the company. “We started as a repair company for shipping lines, but now we are the specialist in container modifications,” Joeri explains. In 2022, it was even decided to make Hacon Container Modifications a separate branch of the company, with its own location and a dedicated team of container specialists. This opened various doors for the company to further specialize in container modifications. And with great success!
Joeri has always followed his own path and doesn’t hide it. “Books and textbooks? Not my thing,” Joeri admits. “I prefer working with my hands. What my eyes saw, my hands could make.” It's not surprising that Joeri still enjoys regularly walking through the workshop to maintain his connection with the practical work. He is proud to see how his team, both in the office and in the workshop, has developed over the years. “We are essentially a construction company,” Joeri explains. “Our framework is a container, but we do construction, carpentry, insulation, electrical work, and much more. We are like the Swiss Army knives of the container world, with a solution for every problem!"
Joeri describes the team at Hacon Container Modifications as a young and creative group, full of passion and freedom to innovate. One of the highlights for Joeri and his team is a major project for a crane by Mammoet. “HCM is a key supplier for the largest land crane in the world,” Joeri proudly shares. “The counterweight part of the crane consists of specially built containers that we supplied.” This project was a significant learning curve for Joeri and also marked his first business trip to China. A project that certainly left a taste for more and was worked on with great enthusiasm by the entire team.
Joeri sees teamwork as crucial for success. “Everyone feels responsible for a project, which creates a close-knit team,” he says. His biggest challenge in his new role as director is maintaining this team spirit and ensuring everyone adapts to changes within the company. And changes will keep coming, as far as Joeri is concerned. “The upward trend in development, professionalism, and quality control makes HCM invincible, and this is a trend I want to continue.”
In his new role as director, Joeri mainly wants to pass on knowledge and inspire people for self-development. “I have always swum against the tide and want others to have the opportunity to overcome their own barriers.” Moreover, Joeri wants to distance himself a bit from the office and workshop since he has a team there in which he has great confidence. This gives Joeri the freedom to regularly travel to China, where he can discuss projects and build business relationships.
And HCM is not the only thing Joeri will be busy with in the coming months. On October 8, 2024, Joeri is getting married! “We have been together for two years now and are very happy. Our mothers already knew each other from pregnancy yoga and lived in neighboring apartments. However, we had never met before, so it feels like it was meant to be now.”
Joeri’s story is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with hard work, creativity, and a healthy dose of (stubborn) wisdom. We wish Joeri all the best in his new role as director of Hacon Container Modifications!
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