Growing in the agricultural sector: Sjors did it
Sjors Witt is a prime example of someone with growth opportunities in the agricultural sector. He had ambitions, expressed them and seized his opportunity when it came his way. This is how he grew from holiday worker to manager at Walkro.
Pleased
As plant manager, Sjors is responsible for Phase 1, mixing and fermenting the basic raw materials. This is the first step in the production process for making the mushroom compost. Sjors manages 12 employees to ensure everything runs smoothly. "I manage colleagues, make the production planning and figure out everything, such as the right amount of raw materials. But I'm also on the shop floor a lot, assessing the compost and having a chat with everyone. That way, my work is nicely balanced."
The farm manager also gets a lot of energy when he sees a new generation getting started. "At Walkro, everyone is welcome. We encourage opportunities and ask you to make something of it yourself. We give the new employees more responsibility. We really look at someone's strengths and what we can do with them."
Growing in the agricultural sector: anyone can do it
Sjors was once that 'new generation' himself. He experienced first-hand how you can grow quickly in the agricultural sector if you have ambitions. "When I was fifteen, I joined Walkro through my father. He is a manager at a smaller location. Walkro was looking for extra hands and I wanted to earn a nice penny. One plus one is two, and I started working as a holiday worker."
Soon Sjors knew he had more up his sleeve. "I wanted to challenge myself at Walkro. So I told my then boss that I wanted to get more out of the job. This was listened to carefully: when a colleague left and the role of manager became available, I was offered the job." Sjors takes heart from those advancement opportunities. "You just get to the point where you start thinking about what you want to achieve further in life."
"Walkro offers me the chance to combine work with a part-time study in business administration, thus literally and figuratively investing in my knowledge. I hope to apply that knowledge to work later on."
Beautiful, environmentally aware product
Mushroom compost is a true cradle-to-cradle product: there is no end to its life cycle. After its first use, it forms a new raw material for the next product. No longer 'from cradle to grave', but 'from cradle to cradle'. In this case, a completely new raw material is created from the waste product horse manure: fresh nutrient soil for mushrooms. An extraordinary and sustainable process. Sjors now thinks so too.
"At first, I didn't have much affinity with the agricultural sector. But at some point you realise what your work means. It's nice to see that. What else should you do with those waste products? Now they get a function again and I am part of that."
Feeling good at work
Thirty years ago, Kees van der Kroon founded Walkro together with the three Walraven brothers. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest producers of mushroom compost in the world. It employs almost 250 people. "Yet now it still feels like a close-knit family business," Sjors says.
"Despite considerable growth, the familiar feeling is still there. I call this the we-feeling. With personal attention and short lines of communication. We are always there for each other."
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