40 years on the truck: Maarten keeps driving with a smile
Sober, driven and above all satisfied. That's Maarten van Happen in a nutshell. He has enjoyed being behind the wheel for 40 years, almost 10 of which with Walkro. His love for the driving profession started as a little boy, joining his father in the cab. And now, decades later, he still drives the roads with just as much pleasure.
No fuss, no fuss. A thermos of water, instant coffee and the radio on - that's all he needs. "It's not about being the best, but about being happy with what you do," he says. And he manages to do that every day.
A boy's dream
As a little boy, Maarten already knew: he wanted to become a truck driver, just like his father. As soon as he got the chance, he jumped into the cab with him. "Every minute I could, I grabbed it. In the holidays, but also on a free afternoon," he says. What started as a boy's dream has now become a life story. Maarten has been driving trucks for almost 40 years. "I wanted to see the world," he adds. And he did. Over the years, he drove from East Germany to Corsica, from Poland to England and everything in between. His desire for adventure took him to the most beautiful places.
An unexpected turn
Not all journeys are equally predictable. That goes for the trade, but also for life. Just before his 50th birthday, Maarten suffered a blow. His wife died suddenly while he was on the truck. "Then you fall into a hole," he tells candidly. The grief was great. His wife had not only been his partner for 30 years, but now also his colleague. "I actually infected her with the driver virus. She was a kindergarten teacher, but later she got her big driving licence and started driving too." They worked together for the same company, and that made the bond even closer.
After this loss, Maarten wanted to work closer to home. Walkro offered just that. "I wanted to be home more often, and that worked out," he says. He has since found a new love and became a bonus grandfather in December '24.
"Will you eat a bite with us?"
What makes the work extra special is the contact with customers. Because he often drives to the same addresses, warm ties develop. "Everywhere I have a cup of coffee with them. And some places even let me eat with them. Then they just set a plate for me."
He cherishes those moments. "You don't just talk about work then, but about all kinds of things. Those are the great addresses."
No stress, just drive
A thermos jug of water, some instant coffee and the radio on - that's enough for Maarten to get through the working day. His working day starts when the schedule indicates. Sometimes it is early, sometimes a bit later. He loads poultry litter at different addresses. Sometimes five or six in one day, sometimes only one. The timing often has to be precise, because only when the chickens leave the barn can Maarten get to work. "But I don't stress about that. It is as it is," he says soberly.
Simplicity adorns the master
In Maarten's cab, no flags, mascots or frills. It's neat and tidy, just the way he likes it. "It's my truck, and I take good care of it," he says. At Walkro, he has found his niche, both at work and at home. No big celebration for his 40th anniversary because, as he says, "I celebrate that every day."
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