CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ singles out a different aspect of the air cargo every week, to illustrate the manifold career opportunities within the industry. This week, we return to the world of ULDs, in particular: ULD design and manufacturing. With a growing focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency, clever developments in ULD design – such as VRR’s collapsible containers – can help bring about positive change in the industry. Ben Lakerveld, recently promoted to Operations Director at VRR, talks about his job, his views on the industry’s challenges, and reveals his film title suggestion.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
BV: My new role starting this year is Operations Director. I’ll be responsible for overseeing our manufacturing, supply chain, and quality assurance operations, as well as developing and implementing improvements for continuously enhancing operations and thereby further benefiting our customers.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
BV: Right now, I’m leading an internal project to better align the organization from an operational perspective, which will result in clearer and smoother operations in the near future and contribute to the value we provide to our customers. This is currently my top priority. It also means I’m in a temporary transition phase between my previous job as Sales Manager and this new role. Nevertheless, I’m already getting involved in the operations daily to familiarize myself with that side of our company.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
BV: I’ve been with the company for over 15 years now. The air cargo industry itself wasn’t my main motivation for joining this field. I was more excited by the company, its ambition, and the great projects we were working on. The innovative products and solutions we offer have always inspired me and taught me to think outside the box. I’ve felt this way and stayed with the company all this time.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
BV: I enjoy the variety of work I do and the opportunity I’ve had to be part of the growth our company has experienced over the past 10 years. Of course, it’s also about being part of a fantastic team that made this possible. The company hasn’t changed much; we’re still that bold company that’s trying to challenge the industry with new and innovative products.
CFG: What do you see as the greatest challenges in our industry?
BV: Safety remains a challenge in the air freight sector, particularly due to the increasing transport of lithium batteries and the risks it entails. Fortunately, many airlines and integrators have already taken precautions to minimize these risks. The solutions are available on the market. However, there are still numerous risks and incidents on a daily basis. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to the point where this leads to fatal accidents”
Additionally, global geopolitical tensions put us in an uncertain period. Luckily this industry has always been able to overcome these situations and even ensured continuation of supply chains while the regular logistics were disrupted.
The impact of global warming is also becoming increasingly visible, as shown by various natural disasters worldwide. We can’t ignore this anymore, and everyone in the industry must contribute positively. Sadly, this is a slow process with many stakeholders involved.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to enter into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?
BV: Training and background really depend on the role you’re aiming for. The most important thing for people looking for a position in aviation is to seek an employer that truly cares for its employees. This means having the opportunity to demonstrate mastery every day, being challenged to learn new things, being treated just as you would treat others, having enough autonomy to perform the work well, and being part of a team with shared and clear goals. Only then can one thrive for staying long with a company and staying enthusiastic about your job.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
BV: I’d like to relate this specifically to the ULD industry: ‘The Hidden Backbone of the Skies.’ ULDs play an essential role in transporting all kinds of goods, even those goods most people may not realize exist. Although ULDs may seem like simple boxes, they require a lot of innovation and development as they help keep the industry running smoothly and ensure the safe transportation of complex goods in tough conditions.
Many thanks for sharing your views, Ben!
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
