How did you join VPD?
Paul Veulemans: "More by chance. After a nearly 20-year career at STIB, I was let go with a severance package. I had a rather administrative job there, responsible for everything related to personnel and restaurants. The department’s tasks were outsourced and my position became redundant. So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and take a completely new direction. That's how I joined VPD and became a truck driver. I've been working at VPD since 1992, that's over 30 years now."
What does your role involve?
Paul Veulemans: "Initially, I worked as a truck driver, but over the years, I've held various roles within the company. I worked in the warehouse for a while, in planning, and until recently, I was a fleet manager. Now, I mainly assist younger colleagues. With my many years of experience, I can easily help and be quite useful to them. Currently, I participate in vehicle maintenance, assist colleagues during interventions, breakdowns, or accidents, and contribute to driver management. Their documents need to be in order. They have to renew their driver's license every 5 years and take refresher courses to stay up-to-date in their profession."
NOT READY FOR RETIREMENT YET
Why did you choose to continue working despite reaching retirement age, and why at VPD?
Paul Veulemans: "I'm not ready to stay at home every day. I prefer to stay active and be around people. I particularly enjoy staying busy. I'm currently working part-time, which allows me to maintain a good balance between work and my private life. This way, I also stay in touch with society.
I also see VPD somewhat like my child. I've been there from the beginning and I've seen the company evolve significantly over the years. VPD has become a passion for me after all these years. I also feel that my work at VPD isn't quite finished yet.
What interests me greatly is the electrification of vehicles and VPD's sustainable strategy. I may not be young anymore, but I enjoy keeping up with recent technologies. I've also participated in tests of electric vehicles; it was very interesting to be able to do that.
From the age of 51, I had the opportunity to work part-time at VPD to take care of my sick parents. I was single and had taken my parents in at home because they needed help. I cared for them until my father's death. I also think that working less from the age of 51 has prevented me from getting burned out too quickly in terms of energy; I still have some left (laughs)."
"My job is my hobby"
What do you like about your role?
Paul Veulemans: "I've always been very interested in engines and cars. Technology, mechanics, and the evolution of trucks really captivate me. My job is my hobby."
Why do you enjoy your work so much?
Paul Veulemans: "It's hard for me to say. I'm more the type of person who prefers being in the middle of the action rather than doing administrative tasks."
Do you have any other hobbies outside of VPD?
Paul Veulemans: "Cars and motorcycles have been my passion since childhood. In my youth, I was even racing cars. I still keep up with news in motorsport and motorcycle racing. In my thirties, I developed an interest in horses and learned how to ride. I’ve enjoyed it for 25 years, even competing at national level."
What does your family think about you continuing to work despite reaching the age of retirement?
Paul Veulemans: "I was single for a long time and took care of my parents. When my father passed away and my mother went to a nursing home, I met my wife there, who was working as a caregiver. We've been married for 9 years now. My wife has no problem with me continuing to work. She knows that I would find it difficult to stay at home all day."
A GREAT WORKING ATMOSPHERE
Why do you enjoy working at VPD so much? What are the advantages of working for VPD?
Paul Veulemans: "What's important to me is the working atmosphere. It hasn't always been easy, but the longer I worked at VPD, the more comfortable I felt. I've always had a good relationship with the managers. And I felt valued. When I decided a few years ago to take my parents in at home to care for them, it wasn't a problem, and I was able to start working part-time from age 51 to 65. If there was an issue, I could always turn to someone. I find there's a good atmosphere among colleagues. The ideal job doesn't exist, but if you compromise and communicate when there are problems, you can solve a lot of problems."
With so many years of experience at VPD, you must have some amusing anecdotes to share?
Paul Veulemans: "Sometimes people tell me I should write a book! Over the course of 30 years, a lot of things have happened. One thing I'll never forget is a driver who got stuck with his truck in a forest. He had to make a delivery at the entrance of a forest and left with another person. After the delivery, the driver drove through the forest to get to a farm on the other side, instead of reversing back. He got the truck completely stuck in the forest. We worked for hours with a recovery team to get the truck out, with all the consequences that entailed."
Do you have any advice for VPD?
Paul Veulemans: "Internal communication is much better than before, but there's always room for improvement. I also think that some colleagues who mainly do administrative work can sometimes lack practical experience. In the past, for example, a planner was someone who had worked as a driver, now it's someone who has studied and has theoretical knowledge but lacks the practical experience, and hasn't driven a truck or van. I think it would be very enlightening to send them on the road so they can understand how everything works in the field."
How do you see the future?
Paul Veulemans: "Ultimately, I’ll have to retire (laughs). I've just turned 69, but as long as my health allows it, I'd like to continue working at VPD. As long as I'm enthusiastic about it, I'll keep going. The urge to continue is too strong to stop now."