Anke Swinkels and Eke Sinnema – female bulk truck drivers

Anke and Eke both work in a two-shift pattern. “The morning shift starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 2.30 p.m., and the evening shift is from 2.30 p.m. until 11 p.m. The shifts alternate weekly,” explains Anke. A morning shift means an early start for Anke and Eke: “At 5 a.m., the first thing we do is have a cup of tea or coffee with the rest of the team. Waking up so early took some getting used to at first, but it’s normal now,” comments Anke. “Once the bulk truck is loaded and ready to go, I drive to the first farmer to deliver the feed. After completing that delivery, I call the factory and then drive to the next destination. And so on until the end of my shift.”

Above all, Eke loves the freedom associated with the work. “You have a lot of autonomy when you’re on the road. You can make phone calls or listen to a podcast.” Anke adds: “And I always have my e-reader with me, so I can read a book if I have to wait around at a farm for an hour or so. That makes our work a nice combination of being active and relaxing.”

Another thing Anke and Eke like is the variety. “Sometimes you stay close to home, but other times you might have a four-hour drive to a farmer in Belgium. No two days are the same, and that variety means the work is never boring. Plus you get to see places you might never visit otherwise,” says Eke. According to Anke, being a truck driver can also be challenging: “It can sometimes feel like you’re playing Tetris, especially when you arrive at a farm where the space is tight. That keeps you on your toes.”

Although Anke and Eke are the only two women in their team, they feel completely at home. “We really are just ‘one of the guys’,” Anke explains. “We don’t worry about looking glamorous, and we don’t mind some male humour occasionally.” Ultimately, being a truck driver comes down to having insight, confidence and self-reliance, because you’re out on the road alone. Grinning, Eke adds: “Given all the hours you spend in the bulk truck, you also need a bit of talent for karaoke! There’s a great atmosphere in our team, and it’s always nice to have a chat when you arrive at the factory.”

One of the things Anke and Eke value most about their work at De Heus is the good work-life balance. The shift pattern means they have more time for their personal lives. Anke says: “Thanks to working in shifts, I can spend more time with my dog. You have less stress and more flexibility.” Moreover, De Heus ensures that everything is well taken care of, which makes their job easier. “The lines of communication are short – and if there are any problems, they are solved quickly. You can really feel that it’s a family business; rather than just being a number, you’re appreciated as a person,” concludes Anke.