29 September 2023
After 14 years under cars, it was time for Maikel van den Dungen to take a new path. He traded engine blocks, tyres and horns for lasers, optics and precision technology. It was a leap of faith, a dive into a world completely unknown to him. But at AAE, Maikel not only discovered new technologies; he also found a team and a customer with whom he would forge an extraordinary bond. This is Maikel's story.
"In the beginning, I honestly did have my doubts: what did I get myself into? Everything was new and I had no idea of the technologies I would be working with. The customer I started working for used such complex technologies that it was overwhelming at first. Fortunately, I ended up in a good team, where colleagues supported me and I learned a lot from them. Together, you really build something, and by working closely together, you quickly get to know and use each other's expertise."
Leveraging that expertise was crucial at the customer Maikel worked on. "The customer was a startup, and you noticed that in everything. That's not a problem, but it did mean that a lot had to be sorted out. They are complex machines and not everything had been worked out in detail. In addition, a lot of coordination with the customer was needed, because they mainly had a theoretical approach, while we at AAE had to take care of the practical side. Together with your team, you then work to overcome these obstacles, and that makes it fun; you are pushing your own boundaries. It's challenging at times, but time after time we come out of it together. Just go for it!"
Blurring the line between customer and colleague
Bringing theory and practice together requires intensive cooperation, leading to a special bond. "Over the past 4.5 years, we have worked so closely with the customer that they no longer feel like a customer, but as colleagues. You know it's the customer, but it doesn't feel that way." It goes even further than that, says Maikel: "The customer even works at our place, participates in Christmas parties and shared trips are organised. Recently, after achieving an important milestone, we were even invited to Amsterdam. We took a tour of the canals, enjoyed drinks and pizza. That shows appreciation for our work."
Creating such a bond cannot be taken for granted; it requires effort and trust. "You have to trust the people you work with, including the customer you work with. And the customer I work with has confidence in AAE to come up with its own solutions. There have been times when the customer did not expect AAE to meet certain deadlines because of last-minute major changes, but we managed to do it anyway. At moments like that, you show your worth and this is also appreciated from the customer; that way, you create trust."
Like Maikel, do you also want to make an impact with customers? Then take a quick look at our vacancies.
