Meet Frank
“I am a driver, but also a handyman, teacher and problem solver.”
Frank Timmermans, reach truck driverAbout Frank
Frank Timmermans started driving forklift trucks in the 1980s. He wanted to do more of that and obtained the necessary certificates in the course of his work for subsequent employers. By now, he can pretty much get into and drive off in anything that moves. In 2015, he started working at Action as a reach truck driver at the distribution centre in Echt.
So what exactly is a reach truck?
“A reach truck looks a bit like an ordinary forklift. The big difference is the maximum lifting height. A reach truck can go quite a bit higher than a forklift truck. This is perfect for Action’s tall distribution centres.”
What do you do on a typical working day?
“I use the reach truck to remove pallets from the racks or alternatively, to place them there. I’m also a bit of a handyman and problem solver. During the day, I might get called on if there is clutter or a pallet in the way. It can also happen that someone taps a pallet the wrong way with their forks and causes it to fall into the shelf rack. I’m part of the team that clears up such messes quickly and safely. On an average working day, I’m flying from left to right and front to back all over the distribution centre.”
Is a reach truck like that difficult to drive?
“It’s not difficult in principle, but the time must be taken to learn how to drive safely. As an experienced driver, I get to teach my colleagues the job; they also call me the reacher-teacher. Usually it takes three to four weeks before someone can drive independently.”
“On an average working day, I’m flying from left to right and front to back all over the distribution centre.”
What is the working environment like at the Echt distribution centre?
“I’m part of a diverse team of people of all ages. I often feel a bond, especially with the people I train. After all, you’re stuck together for nine hours a day for several weeks. If they have problems or questions, they often come to me – the first face they saw at Action. They respect me and I love that.”
What are your best memories of your past eight years at Action?
“Well, I work in Echt, of course, but that’s not the only place I have worked in those years. For example, I spent three weeks on the reach truck in Zwaagdijk due to a staff shortage. I also spent six weeks working in a distribution centre in France. I was there as a driver, but I also managed people and taught reach truck driving. And of course I also visited chateaus and had some nice meals – très bien!
But the best thing to happen to me at Action is meeting my partner. She was an order picker at the time and we were always chatting during breaks. Meanwhile, we have bought a house together and are very happy with my children, grandchild and our two dogs, a Belgian Shepherd and a Golden Retriever. In addition to my professional wellbeing at Action, the company has also had a positive impact on my private life!”