"From A to Z, we always think along," describes Geert Veens-tra, Sales Manager of Wierda Voertuig Techniek (WVT), the company's philosophy. "Throughout the entire process, we always keep the needs of our end customers in mind. In addition, our excellent service means we are available for our customers around the clock."

As a QUL partner of MAN, WVT only receives the chassis and then makes the desired modifications. This can be a change to the wheelbase or the addition of one or more extra axles. The rear overhang can be extended or shortened, the cab can be adjusted. Whatever is physically and technically feasible, WVT puts into action.

"Where others stop, we start," the Sales Manager describes the possibilities in one sentence. The range extends from 7.5-ton trucks up to heavyweights of 65 tons.

International Customers

The capabilities of WVT are particularly in demand for vehicles used in construction and road construction, for concrete mixers, trucks for transporting steel plates for mobile roads, in the mining industry, and for heavy haulage. WVT's expertise is well known far beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Thus, the company now serves customers in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavia, among others. Other sales areas include Poland and the Czech Republic, and very importantly, Israel as well.

"We receive our orders directly from the end customers or through dealers," explains Geert Veenstra. "They order the chassis from MAN, which we then modify." To tap into further customer segments, WVT also presents itself at the international commercial vehicle and logistics trade fair IAA in Hanover, as well as at the Munich construction machinery and mining trade fair Bauma. "Here we show what is possible," says the sales manager. "For this, we also use social media, including YouTube."

Typically family-run

In 1931, Enne Jacob Wierda, the grandfather of today's managing director René Wierda, founded the company, built, repaired, and maintained company vehicles. His motto was "We don't have to work harder, but more efficiently." Over the decades, today's WVT has continued to evolve. Initially, the company processed chassis from a Scandinavian manufacturer and later cooperated with a Spanish manufacturer. Since 2004, the cooperation with MAN has been in place.

Today, WVT, together with Wierda Bedrijfswagens (three MAN representations), and Wierda Hybrid Technologies are part of the Wierda Group. Of the group's 120 employees, 35 work at WVT. "As a classic family business, we have a flat organization where the doors are always open," describes Geert Veenstra the atmosphere in the company.

Potential in Germany

As a modern traditional company, WVT leverages the possibilities of digitalization, for example, paperless processes and the provision of all relevant data via monitors directly at the workplace. There is also a focus on sustainable solutions. Thus, WVT has early on pushed for the use of diesel engines compliant with Euro 6 standards and also built a hybrid concrete mixer. During the drive, a diesel generator powers the vehicle, while at the construction site, an electric motor rotates the drum with the liquid concrete.

Nowadays, WVT provides a remote control for MAN trucks, so the driver doesn't have to enter and exit the vehicle when laying steel plates. And road plates are often used for the construction of wind turbines. "In the long run, we want to be significantly less dependent on the Dutch market," the Sales Manager names the goals for the future. "Especially in the German market, we see a lot of potential." For Geert Veenstra, his job is just right: "I have always had a soft spot for cars and especially for large and heavy vehicles."