A day in the life of Eric Reijven

What do you enjoy most about working at CoreDux®?

What I enjoy most is the great variety in my work. Because I fulfill different roles, no day is the same. It sometimes means switching quickly between tasks, which can be both an advantage and a challenge. Thanks to my broad interest in going in-depth, customer contact, and knowledge of products and markets, I am involved in a wide range of activities across the group and am frequently asked to participate in different projects. This gives me the feeling that I can truly contribute and even offer distinctive value within the organization.

Why did you choose CoreDux?

I made a conscious decision to join CoreDux because, after working in the construction industry, I was ready for more dynamism and innovation: an environment driven by entrepreneurship, forward-thinking and speed.

CoreDux Netherlands, at that time still BOA Netherland, offered a role as Key Account Manager for a major OEM with a broad international scope. That was exactly the kind of change I wanted. The semiconductor industry and the type of customers we work with are characterized by innovation and high pace.

Initially, I assumed the product itself (a hose and bellows) would be relatively simple. I soon discovered it is actually highly complex, which made the role even more challenging and interesting.

How would you describe collaboration at CoreDux?

Overall, I experience collaboration within CoreDux as positive, although I mainly refer to my experience at CoreDux Netherlands. At the same time, there are areas where we can continue to develop. Departments sometimes operate in silos. We are also continuously strengthening the collaboration between the Dutch and French locations.

This requires conscious effort and active involvement from management. Collaboration between sites does not naturally evolve. It grows through shared projects, workshops and regular in-person interactions. By working together more effectively and using each other’s expertise, we can serve our customers even better.

What makes CoreDux different from other companies?

CoreDux stands out because of the very high pace of working, both internally and towards customers. We also work with highly intelligent customers, often “academic customers,” who expect speed, depth and strategic thinking. This challenges me to think ahead and respond quickly and thoughtfully.

Another unique aspect is the rapid growth from a small company into a larger and more professional organization, both in revenue and in structure. Not everyone enjoyed that pace of change; some colleagues could no longer identify with it and chose to leave.

Despite the workload, the internal atmosphere is positive and people enjoy working here. CoreDux has created an interesting DNA mix that contributes to a winning team. I am proud to have contributed to facilitating and driving this change process.

In what ways can you improve yourself as a CoreDux employee?

At CoreDux, much revolves around the journey from “good to great.” Many colleagues feel and understand that we are not yet where we want to be, but that we are actively working on getting there. The willingness to improve makes the company strong. Change management is deeply rooted in our mindset.

The flip side is that people who thrive on change sometimes struggle with stability. It is important to find balance. Not everyone can be focused purely on innovation and change, because that can hinder long-term stability.

What quality is essential to work at CoreDux?

It is essential to be entrepreneurial and to take initiative. Processes are not always fully defined, so a standard approach is not always possible. You need to find your own way, adapt to changing situations and take proactive steps to make progress.
Strong stakeholder management is crucial. You work with colleagues and customers who are focused on their own priorities, so it is up to you to make the right connections, collaborate and motivate others. This requires good communication skills, perseverance and the ability to unite people around a shared objective.

What was the last project you led and what was the outcome?

Although I do not see myself as a project manager, but rather as someone who manages customer relationships, I am proud of a trajectory in which I approached a company from scratch and gradually built a potential collaboration. After going through their internal evaluation committee, we were invited for a customer visit and succeeded in convincing them of our added value.

The collaboration is not yet official, but it is a great example of creating something meaningful from nothing, with potential for a long-term partnership. This reflects the customer intimacy that CoreDux strives for.

How would colleagues describe you?

I believe colleagues would describe me as energetic and committed. I am strong on content, but at the same time very people-oriented. I value creating connection, both between colleagues and with customers, because I believe collaboration between people is the key to success. Processes are important, but ultimately, people make the real difference.

What is your personal contribution to the success of CoreDux?

My personal contribution lies mainly in the transition from Boa Nederland to CoreDux. I supported change management by helping colleagues adopt a new way of thinking and working and by supporting the company in growing from small to large, both in management and in customer interaction. We also became more professional towards our customers.

I played an active role in creating and registering our brand name CoreDux, something I am very proud of.

When the transition took place, I immediately saw that marketing would play a key role in positioning the new brand. With my background in marketing, I offered to take on that responsibility and have since then been responsible for marketing for the entire CoreDux Group. In this role, I not only focus on brand presentation, but also on strategy: what we communicate, how we do it, which markets we target and how we connect our products to customer applications.