As the company’s seventh employee, he watched it grow from a small family business into the organization it is today. We spoke with him about his retirement, his new life, and the advice he’d like to share with his colleagues.
Finding a new balance
“I’m still trying to find my footing,” Robbie admits honestly when we ask him how he’s adjusting to retirement. “It’s a bit of a struggle to get into a daily routine.”
But he’s finding his way. Robbie now walks an average of 8 kilometers a day. One day he’ll walk 15 to 20 kilometers through Den Bosch and the surrounding area; the next day he’ll hop on his regular bike. “I don’t have an electric bike. I just have to pedal myself,” he laughs.
He even regularly cycles 40 kilometers. “Last time, I wanted to take the ferry across the Maas, all the way to Oss. Just to see what it’s like.”
Robbie is also working on writing a book. “It’s turning out to be harder than I thought,” he admits. “My editor is critical. Sentence structure, word choice it’s getting harder and harder. But it’s also nice to have the time to do it now.”
From stress to calm
What’s the biggest difference between the Robbie of 1999 and the Robbie of today? “I’ve calmed down. I used to be pretty hyper. These days, I’m just really laid-back. I’m fine with the way things are.”
That calmness was also evident in the way he dealt with problems.
“Whenever I came home and was facing a problem, I’d go to the kitchen, press the button, and stop thinking about it. The next day, I’d often come up with a solution. Why stress yourself out on the couch?”
Why now?
“The short answer is: it was time,” Robbie says as he explains why he really quit. “And to be honest, I’ve seen it all.”
He noticed it himself during his latest project. “Once it was finished, I thought: now what? Nothing new was coming. It was just more of the same. And I wasn’t really up for that.”
The project he’s proud of
Of all the projects, one stands out: the migration of legacy systems to SAP at Medtronic. “They were looking for someone who could coordinate the project but also work independently.”
Robbie handled the migration in Heerlen first. It was a success. “We finished much faster than the rest. I had written some quick scripts, tips, and templates. As a result, it only took us two hours, while others barely managed to finish on time.”
The result? He got to roll it out worldwide. Minneapolis, Japan, Australia, Miami. “Afterward, they said, ‘We could never have pulled off what you did.’ That was really special.”
What SUPERP needs to keep
If Robbie has one wish for the future of SUPERP, it is this:
“Keep the family spirit alive.”
He explains: “In such a large organization, that becomes difficult. I actually expect that people will form groups that feel like a family. But you have to keep that in mind.”
“If it’s all about revenue and shareholder value, you can’t build a business here in the Netherlands. There has to be more to it than that. I enjoy going to work. I get along well with my colleagues. If I need help, I get it. If someone asks me for help, I help them. That sense of family, that sense of togetherness—it has to stay that way.”
And what would he want to change? “I can’t really think of anything negative. There’s a reason I’ve stuck with it all these years.”
Robbie’s message to his colleagues
“Stay loyal,” Robbie says firmly. “If you’re loyal to SUPERP, SUPERP will be loyal to you. You’ll be rewarded for it.”
“You can shout all you want, ‘I want more, higher, and faster,’ but if that’s your goal, you’re at the wrong company. You’d be better off at a large organization where that’s the norm.”
“Your purpose in life is never to accumulate possessions and money,” Robbie emphasizes. “You don’t live to work. You work to live.”
“Do fun things. Make memories. If someone says, ‘I’d like to drive an expensive car,’ go for it. Want to go on a long vacation? Go for it. That’s what life is all about. Preferably with your partner and kids along.”
About SUPERP
“I loved working at SUPERP. And I actually still love it. I wouldn’t have wanted to work for any other employer.”
Robbie doesn’t like saying goodbye. “It’s not ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ I’m retired now, so I get to choose what I want to do. If something comes along and I think, ‘I really like that,’ then I’ll definitely consider it.”
Because that’s just the way Robbie is. Flexible. Curious. And always seeing the glass as half full.
“Even in times of hardship, the glass is still half full,” he says. “My brother recently passed away. That really hits you hard. But once the funeral was over, I thought: that chapter is closed. He’s gone. And yes, it’s a shame. But I have to move on. It’s okay to feel sad. But eventually, it passes.”
That attitude toward life is typical of Robbie. Positive. Pragmatic. Human.
Robbie, thank you so much for more than 25 years of craftsmanship, loyalty, and a sense of family. We’ve come full circle. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, and who knows—maybe we’ll see you again for another exciting challenge!
