That start-up with 400 consultants has since grown into one of the largest SAP IT service providers in the Netherlands. Managing Director Ruud Hoogendorp, Commercial Director Anjo Wolven, and Technical Director Ronald Groennou look back on 25 years of SUPERP, but not for too long. They prefer to look ahead, because there is still plenty of room for innovation.
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! Tell us how it all started.
“SUPERP was born out of frustration,” Ruud replies. “The first SAP implementations were shaky in every way. After a lot of tinkering, a wonderful system was implemented, but due to the rapidly changing market, it was almost immediately outdated. And then the company was left with a system they didn’t know at all.” That had to change, but “there was no one who looked at SAP in its entirety, who had an overview of the entire process.” Except for the founders of SUPERP. “We decided to focus on the project-based implementation of a management organization to embed SAP within the organization.”
“There was no one who looked at SAP in its entirety.”
SUPERP was born. For those who don’t know, the name stands for “SUPport in Enterprise Resource Planning.” SAP is the global market leader in ERP software and has always been the preferred solution for SUPERP’s customers. The young company was the first in the Netherlands to supervise the entire ERP process of integrated information provision from start to finish, beginning with SAP. From testing and quality control to training programs and knowledge transfer. “And after about a year and a half, once everything was firmly in place and everyone understood how it worked, we left again.”
“When I walk into the office in the morning, I feel my energy levels rise.”
Ronald came on board in 2001. Together with a partner, he ran a small IT company that worked closely with SUPERP, and eventually the two merged. “It was a great and lasting merger, because half of the people from back then are still working there,” says Ronald. Sales Director Anjo followed in 2006. As an
SAP specialist, he was approached by SUPERP, where he could put his entrepreneurial spirit and commercial talent to good use. In 2024, the trio successfully and happily form the management of SUPERP. “When I walk in here in the morning, I still feel my energy levels rise.”
What do you remember about the early years?
“Mainly a lot of cowboy work,” replies Ruud. “We had to do a lot with few people. The SAP implementation itself, but also recruiting new colleagues, drawing up employment contracts, you name it. We had no idea! It was a fantastic time.” Their first office was a tiny space in Den Bosch. “We sat there in a sweltering server room between beer crates and notepads to hold meetings.”
How has SUPERP changed in recent years?
As the company grew and innovated, it became difficult to stay focused. It was time for a new organizational structure, says Anjo. “By placing responsibility low in the organization, we formed a number of close-knit, self-managing ‘cells’ or small companies with a maximum of 35 people and a clear focus. This allowed us to grow while still maintaining a kind of homeliness.”
This structure continues to be a success to this day. There is a strong social bond within the cells, and by building ‘strong bridges between the cells’, silo formation is prevented. At SUPERP, these connections mainly consist of knowledge sharing. “We are constantly working to encourage collaboration and knowledge transfer,” says Ronald.
“If you feel connected to each other, it doesn’t matter whether you work in a three-piece suit or a motorcycle suit.”
The choice of a flat and transparent organization has also been important. “Freedom, trust, and autonomy are crucial,” says Ronald. That trust has created resilience, explains Anjo. “Ultimately, we are a collection of specialists who want to provide the best service together. And whether you prefer to do that in a three-piece suit or a motorcycle suit doesn’t matter.”
“See how light it is here,” asks Ruud. “We deliberately chose this office because of the light and the glass. Transparent and clear. That’s who we are and how we do business. You can ask whatever you want. And you’ll always get an honest answer.”
And what hasn’t changed? What is the common thread in your history?
“Craftsmanship,” Ruud begins. “People want to become and remain good at their profession. They come into their own here, because we put the craftsman or craftswoman at the center.” For example, by offering all kinds of development opportunities, such as our SUPERP Academy and the SUPlabs innovation platform. “Authenticity,” Ronald continues. “Everyone can and is allowed to be themselves here.” A nice side effect of such an open and inclusive culture is that people “stick around,” says Ruud. “And some even come back.”
“Those who give trust will receive it in return“
The stories show that caring and commitment are also characteristics of the organization. “Whether it’s personal or business, our first reaction is to help,” says Ruud. “Is your child sick? Then you should be at home. When the situation allows, you can come back.” And those who give trust receive it in return. “You can see that, for example, in the large number of people reporting back to work on Friday mornings. Instead of taking advantage of that last day before the weekend, people get back to work. Isn’t that great?”
Every company says it’s unique, but what really makes SUPERP different?
“We put our money where our mouth is,” says Ruud. Companies often describe themselves as utopias where employees have a wonderful time. “Of course, there are plenty of great companies, but many colleagues say that the beautiful promises made by their previous employer came to little.” SUPERP always does its best to move with its employees. “That’s custom work. Not everyone has the same needs. By paying attention to the individual, you can respond to those needs. If you take good care of your people, they will take good care of you. And happy people make for happy customers. It’s that simple.”
“We want everyone to feel free and safe to ask for help, whether it’s personal or business-related.”
There is also a strong focus on mental health. “We have worked hard to remove the taboo surrounding it. How do you recognize stress and how do you deal with it? We think it’s important that people get to know themselves better and can deal with difficult situations in a healthy way,” says Ronald. “Coaching in this area is essential,” agrees Ruud. “We want everyone to feel free and safe to ask for help, whether it’s personal or business-related. And we want to provide that help.”
How do you see the future?
SUPERP has traditionally been a full-service SAP service provider, but according to Anjo, it doesn’t stop there. “Our customers rely on SAP as the beating heart of their information provision. Around that, we see a growing demand for additional IT services and solutions. Together with our customers, we are constantly looking at how we can further improve and expand their digital core landscape. That’s why we continuously invest in innovation and product development.”
“We have become the trusted partner of many customers, and that trust is the best compliment we can receive,” Anjo continues. In addition to operational value, the company is also adding more and more strategic value, something it has worked hard on in recent years. “Now we want to strengthen these long-term relationships by expanding our services, with the ultimate goal of becoming the digital core partner of the Netherlands.” So even after 25 years, there is no lack of ambition.
What are you most proud of?
“I prefer to look forward rather than backward,” says Anjo. “But this morning, someone said to me that we have such wonderful and renowned customers. And when I thought about it, I thought: wow, indeed!” For Ronald, the engaged, enriching culture at SUPERP stands out. “I love seeing the personal development that people go through here. Seeing your colleagues grow as people.” Ruud mentions the loyalty of such a large number of employees: “Some people have been working here for more than twenty years. Then you know that together you’ve built something good.”
