Trucks
Trucks
What started as a one-tractor operation in 1985 has grown into a major player in the Dutch dairy and agriculture transport industry. Today, hauler Jan Bakker’s company is setting its sights on a sustainable future – demonstrating to the next generation of haulers that profitability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Growth has always been a driving force for Dutch hauler Jan Bakker. Despite once promising his wife he’d stop at seven trucks, his fleet now numbers 200 and shows no signs of slowing down. Bakker’s relentless ambition continues to fuel his expansion into various sectors, including manure trading, potato trading, and cattle feed.
“I’ve built my business on two pillars: people and sustainability,” says Jan Bakker, whose organization now employs around 350 staff members.
Jan Bakker also aspires to be a role model in sustainability for the next generations of entrepreneurs, demonstrating that a successful business can thrive while prioritizing environmental responsibility.
The company’s sustainability journey has led to the implementation of various initiatives, with the expansion of electric vehicles at its core. As Jan Bakker sought financial solutions for these projects, he prioritized finding a partner who not only offered financial expertise but also shared his vision for the future.
“I can get money anywhere. But we’re a people business too. If they’re a good match, you're going to find that it clicks. I’m happy to make that commitment to someone who treats us faithfully. Sustainability is important to me too, so with Volvo Financial Services we just seem to click together,” he says.
I’ve built my business on two pillars: people and sustainability.
Steven Jochems at Volvo Financial Services agrees.
“Our first contact was via an agent several years ago, for an order of three electric trucks. Then, as Jan Bakker got involved in more and more tenders, they wanted to take the next step into zero-emission vehicles, and asked us if we could fulfill that,” says Steven Jochems.
Beyond just supporting financially, Volvo Financial Services has aided the entrepreneur by providing a raft of services and advice in the sectors he operates in. According to Bakker, that has been key to helping him navigate what is a complex transition toward an electric future.
“We know the business and we understand what our customers do, whether it’s agriculture, infrastructure, or some other sector. And we also know what an impact the electric transition is going to have on their business,” says Steven Jochems.
The partnership later led to an order of 15 electric trucks and the start of a much tighter relationship.
“We need to move forward together sustainably, and the market demands that too. We may have to be there anyway, so you want to be ahead of the market. But if you don’t have good people, you can’t do anything. Even though we’ve grown tremendously in recent years, I still think of Jan Bakker as a family,” Jan Bakker adds.
Speaking of family, 2024 has seen another new phase in the development of the company, with Jan’s daughter Angela Docter-Bakker taking over the reins from Jan. She’s well aware that she has big shoes to fill.
“My biggest challenge is to gain people’s trust, because I’m the daughter and I always will be, in the eyes of some people. There are a lot of challenges in the agricultural sector and the same goes for sustainability, so you need to constantly broaden your knowledge and gain confidence from those around you,” she says.
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