20 Years of BOMA Netherlands: In conversation with Yvonne Wieggers about growth, passion, and the 'warm bath' experience
This year, BOMA Netherlands is celebrating its 20th anniversary! A milestone we won't let go by unnoticed. In this interview series, we speak with the faces behind our success: the colleagues who have seen BOMA grow into what it is today. Today, we kick off with Yvonne Wieggers, who joined the family through an acquisition.
From a small team to a larger whole
Yvonne did not join BOMA directly, but became part of the organization after an acquisition. "At the time, we were a close-knit group of eight to ten people in Duiven," she recalls. "An acquisition is always exciting. You wonder: can we stay here? But it soon became clear that we had ended up in a 'warm bath'".
Although BOMA Netherlands has grown considerably over the years, this scaling up actually felt pleasant to Yvonne. "Through the collaboration with colleagues in Biddinghuizen, Panningen, and Antwerp, we suddenly formed a much larger whole. We gained more personal responsibility, which was quite exciting in the beginning, but BOMA soon left us free in our own way of thinking".
Professionalization and visibility
When we ask Yvonne about the biggest difference between 'then' and 'now', she doesn't have to think long: professionalization. "We have taken a huge step forward in our assortment and the smart tools we offer. We are also reaching out much more. We really dare to show ourselves and say: 'We are BOMA'. We are no longer just that company from Belgium; we are truly conquering the Dutch market".
The most impressive change, she finds, is the growth in product groups and the attention for the staff. "The market is moving at lightning speed. Because we have professionalized as an organization, we can respond much better to customer needs. In addition, in recent years there has been much more attention for the growth and development of the staff itself, which I find enormously valuable".
The BOMA vibe: Freedom and collaboration
What makes working at BOMA different from other companies? According to Yvonne, it is the balance between drive and conviviality. "The well-known 'hands-on mentality' is in our DNA. If something needs to be done, we are all there for it. But there is also always room for a laugh."
She draws this energy mainly from teamwork and from genuinely helping customers. "I get energy from projects where you really stand alongside the customer as a partner. Think of setting up a washroom or streamlining an assortment for a large national cleaning company. You almost build a personal bond; that partnership is what it's all about."
A memorable moment
When asked about her most memorable moment, Yvonne mentions the collaboration with one of the largest cleaning companies in the Netherlands, CSU. "The fact that a major player in the market specifically chooses BOMA's services... that was a huge confirmation that we were on the right track. I was part of the Sales Support team at the time, and we scored very well in the tests. That makes you extra proud."
Future outlook
If we had to describe BOMA in three words according to Yvonne? "Driven, involved, and innovative".
For the next 20 years, she mainly wishes the company healthy and stable growth. "I hope that we continue to create new opportunities for both our customers and our employees. But above all, I hope that the core - collaboration, respect, and fun - always remains central".