I’ve started at the HR Department of TREMEC Belgium in July 2017 as a temporary addition. And behold, even though I’m not a car lover nor automotive connoisseur, 6 years later I’m still spinning circles on the ‘HR Officer-chair’ at Zedelgem. To be honest, from time to time it has been quite the challenge. I remember the pressure and workload related to the high influx of employees in 2017-2018, the uncertainty during the Corona pandemic, the launch of the flexible benefit plan,… But I’ve always been lucky to work within a team where individuals complement each other in knowledge and skills, where we always look out for one and other and have each other’s back. Besides that for me a huge benefit at TREMEC is to be able to work quite flexible within a certain framework. I can choose when to start my workday, when I’m going to take a lunchbreak and there’s also the extended ‘Telework’ policy.
My story predates some 20 years ago, when 11 people left our former company and started the company HDM in 2001. A decade later, we became part of the TREMEC family. In that period, I have witnessed the fascinating evolution of a small group of 11 to the business of 180 now. The growth led to a new location, new technologies and lot of new people (including my own daughter). As a Controls Design Engineer, I have been part of the development of the electronics and the software that is the heart of our technology today. From writing hardware drivers to vehicle software, the job has evolved – as the team grew – to focusing on the Base Software (the part that interacts with the hardware) and Software Release Delivery. As the former IT responsible in the first 17 years, I was also partly responsible for the setup and support of the IT infrastructure. I’m a great fan of the Python programming language and most of our tools are written in that language. As the demands and requirements from our customers are always changing, new challenges (Cybersecurity) and new opportunities (EDCU) continue to arise, making the job ever challenging. In my weekends, I ride my bike for maintaining my condition (600-800km/month). Previously, I was an avid runner. I also like reading books: medical thrillers, science fiction, young adult, but above all, fantasy.