Meet Vanessa Verbeken – Area Sales Manager at Bekina Indurub

Today we are turning the spotlight on Vanessa Verbeken, Area Sales Manager at Bekina Indurub. Last summer (2024), Vanessa celebrated 25 years of work at our company. Learn how it all started and how she became a trusted member of the Bekina family.

I work as an Area Sales Manager at Bekina Indurub, but that wasn’t the role I started in. At the beginning of my career, I worked in what was then the internal sales department. After ten years, I got the chance to move up to External Sales, which was the foundation for my current job as Area Sales Manager. It’s a very varied job, involving plenty of customer contact as well as interaction with colleagues from various departments. I’m particularly drawn to the challenge of seeking out and securing new projects, as well as assisting current customers with their inquiries and exploring the alternatives we can offer within the bedding industry. 

My story with Bekina actually goes way back… I did my internship here while studying for my degree in Languages and Secretarial Studies. I came up with the idea of doing my internship at Bekina because my husband also worked here and I knew there were internship opportunities. I felt an immediate connection – both with the company and the colleagues.  At that time, there was an open vacancy for Internal Sales at Bekina Boots and at Bekina Indurub. Since the need was highest at Bekina Indurub at the time, I chose this business unit. I never had a ‘real’ job application because of this, because we felt a match along both sides.

It’s hard to choose just one moment out of 25 years. But if I had to pick one, I’d choose the celebration we had for the opening of the new production hall at Bekina Indurub in 2000. I hadn’t been here very long at the time, and it was a truly special occasion – especially with all the customers being invited. On the other hand, the move to the new offices in 2013 was also special. Initially, it was quite an adjustment not being directly alongside the production colleagues, but it was also great to once again be part of the core team at Bekina by being closer to the other colleagues here at headquarters. The production colleagues are never far away – I just have to cross the street to see them.

Every new customer or project you bring in, makes you proud – especially if they later become key accounts. It’s fantastic to be able to work with customers for many years. As the point of contact, I always strive to maintain a high level of service for every customer.   

First of all, I love the technical aspect of it. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot and have mastered some very complex tasks. I studied languages myself, so I’m a polyglot, and I really enjoy being able to use that language knowledge here. Customers appreciate that I can talk with them in their own language. I also really enjoy the customer visits. Meeting the clients in person, and further strengthening the relationship, is incredibly valuable.

Bekina is an ambitious company that isn’t afraid to invest. They are focused on building a long-term future and there’s always room for personal development – for instance through training. In short, Bekina is a very pleasant place to work for me.

Absolutely! First of all, because of the high-quality products, the extensive product range, and the new products that are regularly developed at Bekina Indurub. But also because of the great atmosphere among colleagues. It’s hard to put into words, but you really have to experience it by working here. I’m sure my colleagues would agree! New colleagues often bring fresh initiatives, ranging from board game evenings and puzzles to sports activities. This not only shows a strong commitment to the job but also a high level of collegiality. It’s the ideal way to get to know each other in a different setting.

I think it is quite unique that my husband and I share the same employer. He works at Bekina Indurub too – he’s a Production Assistant and so he sets off for work bright and early. I’m not an early bird, so we don’t leave for work together. Even my daughter has joined the family at Bekina, with a regular summer job here. 

Would you like to be part of the Bekina family like Vanessa? Then take a look at the Bekina job page and who knows, maybe we’ll meet soon!