Simon Kolijn reflects on the many years he worked at Kraker Trailers. In 1989, he wanted to stop driving his lorry but continue to work in the same industry, one way or another. That way turned out to be in production at Kraker Trailers. Read Simon Kolijn's story, an enthusiastic driver who ended up in trailer construction until his retirement.
After two years, the itch came back
At the end of the 1980s, driver Simon Kolijn heard that Kraker Trailers was looking for workers and it sounded like something that he could get into. It would mean he would no longer be away from home all the time, and continue to work in the transport industry. ‘That feeling only lasted two years,’ explains Simon with a laugh, ‘because I missed driving tremendously. I left here in 1991 to go back to driving. Exactly ten years later, on 1 February 2001, I returned to Kraker Trailers. I was definitely done with driving at that point. I was 45 and thought that seemed like a good time to quit as a driver. And so I ended up back here, in the workshop. I worked there for the next fifteen years, until working with my hands became more challenging. Jan de Kraker had a solution for that - he said ‘you can do one of two things - you can sit at home on the sofa or drive our lorry for us. So now I’m back on the lorry again. I take trailers to the paint shop, deliver K-Forces to customers and pretty much take care of all transport that is needed. In that respect, Jan has really taken care of me.’
Enjoyable work in the workshop
‘In the years that I worked in the workshop, I worked mostly on brakes, lighting and hydraulics. I really enjoyed doing it, it was enjoyable work. I also really developed in that role, took courses at WABCO and Cargo Floor, for example. I was able to develop myself. That combination between the workshop and driving, it really suited me. One of the nicest compliments I received was that I was the only one Jan allowed to set up trailers for trade fairs. He knew that I had an eye for detail, that I finished everything carefully,’ Simon says with pride.
At the end of 2024, Simon bid farewell to Kraker Trailers as he went off to his well-earned retirement. Jan de Kraker shared some amusing anecdotes during Simon’s farewell. ‘We used to live in the same area in Axel. After that, we saw one another again at Kraker Trailers in 1989. In 1991, you left us, only to come back in 2001. You took courses, developed and together, we found the perfect combination of your greatest passion (driving a lorry) and your work in the workshop at Kraker Trailers.’
Jan put it beautifully, ‘Simon, your heart was always in it, you were always willing to help. You may be leaving, but not really. I am confident that you’ll continue to drive for us several hours a week, even after you’ve retired. On behalf of Kraker Trailers, I would like to thank you for your loyalty over the years - you are a motivated, hard worker.’
Jan’s words also point to the familial atmosphere that prevails at Kraker, as despite employing more than 140 people, Jan always manages to add in a personal story or two, especially when it comes to the ‘old guard’.
Jan also told stories about Krijn de Bree, another employee who retired at around the same time as Simon.
Not ready for my retirement just yet
It turned out that Jan was quite right as Simon still drives two days a week for Kraker Trailers, on his beloved lorry. ‘I retired, was home for a while, but felt that I wasn’t quite ready. So I worked with Kraker Trailers to secure a new contract, this time for two days a week. Actually, it was because of my wife,’ explains Simon, ‘she got annoyed about a man suddenly being at home and interfering with everything. She said “try it for two days a week and see if you like it.” And he does. And so long as it remains that way, Simon will continue to pursue his great passion.