What is your job at VPD?
Florin: “As a driver, I am primarily responsible for deliveries. About 90% of them are made to individuals. I deliver various products, including firewood and pellets. Drivers mainly work in Belgium, but we sometimes make trips to Luxembourg, France, and the Netherlands. I've driven the same truck from 0 to 600,000 kilometres!”
A Respectful Family Business
How have you seen VPD evolve over the years?
Florin: ”When I started here, VPD was a small company located in Lembeek. A real family business: with the mother-in-law, wife, etc. We were not many at the time, only about ten drivers. We began by picking up goods from the Netherlands and distributing them all around. When one of our contracts was abruptly terminated, the company went through tough times. But the management did everything to ensure we kept our jobs. It felt like a big family. Gradually, we managed to attract new clients.”
Finding joy in your work
What makes someone a good driver, in your opinion?
Florin: ”You have to be cut out for it. If you don't enjoy it, you're unlikely to succeed. It's not always easy: some people struggle to wake up early, you need to be alert, react quickly to changes, and plan your actions well. A bit like MacGyver. Traffic conditions have also changed a lot over the years. I'm fortunate to consider my job a hobby. I love driving my truck: I feel better in my truck than I do in my car!”
Well-organised on the road
What does a typical workday look like?
Florin: “We get all the information we need about the schedule and planning via WhatsApp well in advance: where we need to be, when we need to load, everything is very clear. And if there's any problem, we're informed.
GPS helps, but you also need to be cautious. Sometimes, you reach a street, but the unloading point is at the back, so you need to turn around, which isn't always easy with a truck. And in the city... it's a whole other story! Sometimes, you need to make a delivery to clients in a truck-restricted area. You drive on a road and suddenly find yourself in a restricted zone... it's difficult even with a car, but with a truck, it's even more challenging. You're 1 or 2 km from a client, so you have no choice. I report this information so they can consider it for next time.
Occasionally, there are also problems with some of the addresses. I've ended up at the wrong house, with the wrong number. So, I find myself at someone's door early in the morning, who in fact didn't order anything. It's not always fun!”
At VPD, sustainability is important. What do you think about it?
Florin: “I find it very important to take care of all the equipment and monitor my own consumption. We can make a huge difference. With my 600,000 km, I have an average fuel consumption of 21.3 L/100 km. Sometimes, I see other drivers at 25, 26 L. Multiply that by 600,000 km... it adds up quickly. I take my foot off the accelerator, let the truck roll, it really makes a difference.”
How do you see your future at VPD?
Florin: “With my 20 years of service, I have a lot of kilometres on the counter... both literally and figuratively speaking! It's a wonderful company where everyone is treated equally. There's no racism or favouritism. I feel at home here, it's like a big family. They've always been there for me, and I appreciate that immensely. So, I hope to stay here until my retirement!”