Our Warehouse Employee
Anyone who walks into the Van Abeelen workshop will soon run into Cees. Always up for a friendly chat, with a wealth of experience under his belt, and still visibly enjoying his work. Even though he has now reached retirement age, sitting still is not for Cees.
What is your morning routine before your workday begins?
Cees describes himself as a real morning person. His morning routine starts early: getting up, getting dressed, having breakfast, and then going to work by bike. He actually always leaves the car at home, even in the rain he puts on rain gear and cycles to Van Abeelen in Rijen in 20 minutes.
Who are you outside of Van Abeelen?
Cees is married to Jacqueline and together they have two children: a son and a daughter, both of whom have since moved out. In addition, he thoroughly enjoys his role as a grandfather to two grandchildren aged 6 and 8.
In his free time, Cees enjoys fishing, playing billiards, and doing odd jobs in and around the house. Jacqueline regularly calls out in the evening to ask if it isn't time to come inside for once. Cees is always busy. Together, they love to head out with their campervan to go on vacation.
Active in refrigeration technology for years
Refrigeration technology runs like a thread through Cees's life. After attending technical school (LTS), he naturally rolled into the profession and has stayed active in it ever since. In his younger years, he worked a lot as a maintenance mechanic and was often “on the road,” as he puts it so nicely. Because telling great stories, Cees certainly knows how to do that!
Cees has now been working at Van Abeelen for a year and a half as a warehouse employee. During that period, he has been involved in, among other things, the preparation of evaporators and condensers and the overhaul of refrigeration compressors.
Growth and development
Although Cees indicates that he has not experienced massive personal growth over the past 1.5 years, he clearly sees how the profession has changed. According to him, much broader knowledge is required within refrigeration technology today than in the past.
Thanks to his years of experience, he knows better than anyone how important practical knowledge is within the profession.
Working with pleasure
Cees enjoys working at Van Abeelen. He particularly appreciates the contact with his colleagues.
“I can have a nice chat with anyone.”
According to Cees, Van Abeelen is a great company where especially younger colleagues get plenty of opportunities to grow and gain experience. He is also positive about the working atmosphere.
“The working atmosphere is good. Colleagues always have a nice chat and Van Abeelen organizes fun activities.”
Proud of new opportunities
What Cees is perhaps most proud of is that, at his age, he has still found work that he enjoys. After a heart attack, he was largely declared unfit for work, but for the hours he can still work, he remains very dedicated with a lot of energy.
He is grateful for the opportunity Van Abeelen has given him.
Retirement? Cees is nowhere near ready yet
On April 25 of this year, Cees officially reached retirement age. Yet, he still happily goes to work.
Why?
“My wife still works and I still enjoy my job. I like hearing about and experiencing some different things for a change. That nice chat with colleagues, for example.”
And perhaps that is precisely what characterizes Cees best: committed, active, and always up for a good time.
