Gido Cuppen keeps Walkro on the road
Gido Cuppen knows how to get to work. He started at Walkro as a lorry driver, but you will now find him in the workshop as a chief. With his technical background and years of experience, he keeps things running. "It's a mix of tinkering, arranging and solving. And it's precisely that variety that makes it so much fun."
From road to workshop
When one of his colleagues left, Jimmy got the chance to run Hall 3. "I thought: why not?" He now has the reins firmly in his hands. But it all started very differently. After his career as a roofer, which he had to end due to a knee injury, he was looking for a new challenge.
His experience was not limited to trucks. For years, Gido travelled with rally teams across Europe and North Africa, from Morocco to Ireland. With the service truck, he was on the road from race to race, always ready to get damaged cars back in top condition. "Sometimes it was hard work, but when a car roared across the starting line again after hours of tinkering, you knew exactly what you were doing it for." Due to neck and back problems, he now forgoes rally racing, but tinkering is still in his blood.
When the previous head workshop left, Gido was asked if he wanted to take over. "At first I hesitated, because I loved driving. But with a second child on the way, regularity became more appealing."
Planning, tinkering and switching
As head of the workshop, Gido has a versatile role. He manages the maintenance of nearly 50 trucks, supervises two mechanics and solves emergency repairs. Sometimes I spend whole days doing administration, but I might as well be tinkering under a truck myself. It is precisely this variety that makes the work so interesting for him. "It is great when a driver drives away happy because you have solved a problem he had been struggling with for weeks."
Smart decisions in the workshop
A good chief workshop officer keeps a cool head. "Keeping calm and keeping an overview is important," Gido stresses. "Not everything can be done immediately, but it has to be done well." Sometimes he has to make choices: order a new chair or can it last a while longer? "I coordinate that with my manager. Fortunately, I can decide a lot myself, as long as I stay within the lines."
A strong team and short lines
Gido works closely with his team, drivers and planning.
"The chemistry in our team is good. Everyone has their own expertise: one is strong in modern technology, the other precisely in welding and grinding. That combination works great."
When planning, he usually comes up with 'bad' news. "When scheduling an MOT or a repair, sometimes a trip has to be rescheduled. But if you bring that in the right way, it's not a problem. That's just how it works."
He also likes the atmosphere at Walkro. "The lines are short, you can walk in anywhere. And Friday is chips day, which of course is also a plus," he laughs.
Future in motion
The workshop is being revamped and Gido likes to think along with us. "We are now replacing machines and materials bit by bit. In a few years, everything will be up to date again." And himself? "I'm comfortable here. The best thing is that we are really moving forward together. Drivers notice it, and I am regularly told: 'The workshop is running smoothly again.' Surely that's the best appreciation you can get," Gido proudly concludes.
Something for you?
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Clifford, Technical Services Engineer
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