The story of how Danny Linssen started at Profiltra is very special.
Interning in China, “Really cool!”
For his International Business Management studies at the IVA, he and three other students participated in a co-makership program at our company. “Then Edwin Cobussen (owner of Profiltra) approached me to see if I wanted to do an internship at Profiltra’s Chinese branch in Nanjing. I didn’t have to think twice,” says Danny. “What an opportunity, I’d love to!” He spent almost six months conducting market research in China for our Pipeline Technology and Sealing Engineering departments. “Over 10 million people in Nanjing, and almost no one speaks English.” Danny can laugh about it now, but it was a bit of an adjustment for a youngster in that cosmopolitan city. One minute you’re living at home with your parents, the next you get the key to your apartment in Nanjing, and you have to fend for yourself. It was a fantastic learning experience, and a lifetime of learning.
Varied work at a real family business
After his internship, he went backpacking in Southeast Asia for a while. Thanks to the positive experiences he had during his studies at Profiltra, he then decided to join our company. He has now been working as a Sales Engineer for the Pipeline Technology department for six years. “What I love about this job is the variety. No two days are the same; I’m still learning something new every day,” says Danny. He really likes the company culture, a true family business. “Everyone looks out for each other here,” is how he characterizes Profiltra. Danny isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves; besides sales, he also occasionally installs expansion joints and wear-resistant materials. “These projects are perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job,” says an enthusiastic Danny.
Doing business in Belgium
He also sells the products and projects of the Pipeline Technology department on the Belgian market and already speaks a fair amount of Flemish. If he’s been in Belgium for a while, it’s clearly audible when he’s here in the office! “Doing business in Belgium is very different,” says Danny. “In Belgium, building a personal connection is very important. First, get to know each other well and only then talk about business; the goodwill factor is very important.”
Plans for the future
When asked how he sees his future at Profiltra, Danny has a surprising answer. “Well, Patrick Cobussen (CEO of Profiltra) did an internship here once, so uh… I’d say it seems like a great prospect,” he says with a laugh. And then, more seriously, “I’m really enjoying it here, the work is interesting and varied, and I think I can have a great career here.”
Danny’s enthusiasm and ambition are clearly evident, and we are, of course, thrilled about that!