When and why did you join the CSU plant at the time?
I was 15 years old, and just out of school. I was looking for a summer job. I come from the region, so the plant was well known to me. I found the techniques and machines at the plant very interesting. I could see myself working there. Then, when I started, I was the only 15-year-old at the plant. There were some who were 17 or 18, but they usually didn’t stay long. It was kind of normal to work at a younger age back then.
Is there a reason why you stayed when the others left?
Of course, there are people who always think that the grass is greener on the other side and will change jobs for a few pennies more. That's not how I am. I have always loved working outdoors. It gives a feeling of freedom. And when I start something, I go for it completely. This does not only include the working life. For example, I have been a member of my sports club for 50 years and a member of the PSV Eindhoven supporters' association for about 40 years.
What do your duties consist of and are they the same as when you joined?
Over the years, I have held many positions and tasks within the company. In my first years, I mainly worked as a cleaner in the cellars of the press shop. Certain machines had to be cleaned every now and then. Subsequently, I worked for a long period as a presser, steam operator and overhead-crane operator. I even worked on the sand excavator for a while. In recent years, I have mainly worked as a groundskeeper. What has changed overall is simple: the work used to be much more physically demanding. Nowadays, for a lot of tasks, you press a button and things happen automatically.
How did you celebrate your anniversary with your colleagues?
I organized a party for family, friends and colleagues in August. We celebrated my anniversary together while enjoying a drink and a snack. In addition, I was also put in the spotlight at work by the entire team and we celebrated this together with coffee, cake and sharing beautiful anecdotes and memories from the past.
