Coffee with Okke

At Hencon, we like to have a cup of coffee together. In ‘Coffee with’, we talk to a different colleague each time. This time it is Okke Hakvoort’s turn. Okke started working at Hencon Forestry as a holiday worker three years ago and is now doing mechanic training at Aventus in Apeldoorn.

What exactly do you do at Hencon?
‘I work 4 days a week as a mechanic and I go to school 1 day a week. This way I learn a lot because I get technical information from John Deere when I need to look up a fault in a machine, for example. At Hencon, you really get the chance to learn the trade because there are always colleagues who want to help you further.’

Why did you choose Hencon?
‘Technology has always interested me but I finally chose Hencon because the profession of forestry machinery mechanic is very specialised. I really enjoy the challenge of solving breakdowns because the cause of the breakdown is always different. I want to immerse myself completely in the forestry machine and get to know it through and through.’

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Okke responds enthusiastically: ‘When it has succeeded in solving a problem and the customer is happy. I not only work in the workshop but I also go to customers. Sometimes I am on the road for 2 days and stay overnight in a hotel. The other day I was even in France together with a colleague. We repaired a forestry machine there on site. I really like that variety!’

Do you ever experience crazy things?
Okke thinks for a moment. ‘What is crazy? You get everywhere and sometimes in remote areas. You get to see something. The other day I got stuck in the forest with a van because the ground was very wet. Then I asked a machinist who was nearby to tow me out.’

How do you see your future at Hencon?
‘John Deere’s new H-series is now on the market and I can follow the developments of these new machines as well as get to know them better. I like that as a challenge. I can see myself working here for some time to come and who knows, at some point I might become workshop chief.’

Finally, how is the coffee?
‘The coffee is fine, would you like another cup?’