In the world of tank storage and logistics, it’s not often you come across a family working together at the same company. But at Liquin, father Roy Hoogeveen and his two (twin) children Lars and Thessa work in various positions and locations within the company. The trio represents different generations and functions, but shares the same passion for the organisation and the industry. We speak to the Hoogeveen family about how they support each other, what connects them to Liquin and how they experience its unique culture.
How it all began: Ron’s long career at Liquin
Ron has worked at Liquin for nearly 40 years, and for much of that time he’s been Shift Leader at Botlek Terminal. He began his career in a completely different place: “I first worked as an Operator somewhere else, then I did my national service in the Dutch Royal Marines. After that, I went into this sector and ended up at Liquin.” Ron has seen a lot of changes over the course of his career, with the transition from Panocean to Vopak and now Liquin.
“The work is still interesting and the company values your commitment,” he says. “I have a good job here, great colleagues and have built a wonderful life. These days, it’s not often that people stay at the same company for 40 years, but it has always suited me. I’ve never wanted anything else.”
From one generation to another: Lars and Thessa join Liquin
Lars, Ron’s son, got to know the world of terminals and tank storage pretty early. “Long before I came to work at Liquin, I visited the terminal and went to open days and family events,” he says. Eight years ago, he decided to take the step and start as an Operator. Since then, he has become temporary Team Leader of shift C at Botlek Terminal. “It’s great working with my father at the company, although we don’t see each other very often due to the shift schedules. But when we do meet, it’s always nice.”
Thessa, Lars’s twin sister, took a completely different route. She studied technical management and didn’t have any immediate ambition to work at Liquin. It was only when she had difficulty finding a suitable post-graduate position that she asked her father for help. “I didn’t know Liquin that well, but through my father I met the Terminal Manager. During my post-graduate period I found out how great it was here. The team and the atmosphere at the terminals really appealed to me and I decided to stay.” Today Thessa works as Operations Manager at all three Liquin terminals: Botlek, TTR and Chemiehaven.
Family feeling with a diversity of functions
For the Hoogeveens, Liquin feels like a family company, even though it’s a large professional organisation. “It’s very open here and everyone gets on well with one another,” says Lars. “There’s always time for a chat and that makes for a nice work atmosphere.” Thessa adds: “Each terminal has its own character, but the family feeling is present everywhere. When Liquin became an independent company, it felt like a reinforcement of our culture.”
Ron remembers how his own father worked in the sector and that he passed on his love for the profession, just as Ron has done with his children. “My father-in-law also used to work at Botlek Terminal. He worked with people who became my colleagues later on. It’s amazing to see how generations succeed one another.”
Liquin’s unique culture
According to the Hoogeveens, the atmosphere at Liquin is ‘typically Rotterdam’ in nature: straightforward, open, no-nonsense.
“There’s a strong team spirit. That’s also because we work in shifts of 14 people who are completely dependent on each other,” explains Ron. “We all look after one another. And you have to leave your work in good order for the next shift. That requires trust and cooperation.”
Thessa says that the work culture draws her to the terminals: “I never spend an entire week in the same place, I have to go to different locations for meetings and other activities at our three terminals and our headquarters as well. That means there’s a lot of variety and I see a lot of colleagues as a result. I like going to the terminals, they’re always lively and there’s a lot of laughter. That’s what makes a terminal environment really unique.”
A variety of jobs and career opportunities
One of the benefits of working at Liquin is the variety of jobs and career development opportunities. Lars, who first started as an Operator, has since become a Team Leader. “At Liquin you can go in all kinds of directions. You’re supported in your development and you can keep on growing if you want to.” Thessa agrees: “I’ve just started in a new role and now work with a team that’s focused on Liquin’s future. Here they really look at what you’re capable of and how you can develop further.”
Ron emphasises that potential colleagues aren’t always aware of this variety of roles.
“Liquin offers technical, HR and commercial positions, but a lot of people think that it only involves operational work. The great thing is that people who move up from operations to other jobs have a solid basis. They understand what the work on the ground is all about.”
Ron looks proudly at his children: “It’s wonderful to see how Lars and Thessa have found their own place here. I’m proud that they’ve managed to make their home here at Liquin.”
The future and growing at Liquin
For the Hoogeveens the future is at Liquin. Ron has a few more years to go and mainly wants to enjoy his work and pass on his knowledge to the younger generation. Lars and Thessa are looking forward to further development opportunities at the company. “Liquin offers so many possibilities that you never have to stand still,” says Thessa. “It feels like a kind of second home, a place where you can keep growing and developing.”
More than a workplace
The Hoogeveen family shows that Liquin isn’t just a place where you work, but a place where generations support each other and where the culture is close-knit and nurturing. Whether people work on the ground, in leadership positions or at optimising processes, they share a passion for their work and each other. A real family company with room for everyone – that’s Liquin.
