Jason Tijmensen

Get to know your colleagues a little bit better. Our “3 questions for…” travels around the globe from one colleague to another. Every colleague will answer the same questions.

Tell us about your work environment. What does it look like? And what are your responsibilities at Royal Smit & Zoon?

Being responsible for the production at site Weesp I have the privilege to work from of the few offices on site. With a great view on the operations and the environment, like the river Vecht. Being responsible for production means that my team and I need to produce all fat liquors ordered safely at the right time at the right quality. In this process my role is to make sure everything needed for production is available; being the instructions, raw materials, equipment, PPE’s, personnel, etc.

Royal Smit & Zoon is driven by a purpose. To make the leather value chain environmentally & socially sustainable. What is your purpose? What gives you energy in your job?

I believe that all the small things count and add up. It starts by being friendly to someone else. It costs a lot less energy than fighting. And in my work fighting fires also costs a lot of energy. It gives me energy to prevent fires and to create flow in processes. And flow occurs, when people are focused, well informed, processes are aligned, and unnecessary hurdles are taken away. And this energy is doubled when I’m able to motivate people to do this, to add good ideas, because a team is always stronger than an individual.

Jason Tijmensen
Production Manager

At Royal Smit & Zoon, we love leather. What is your favorite leather item?

To me leather is something special, the look and feel show strength and softness at the same time. A leather present is something you give for a long time, to yourself or someone special. I have two favorite leather items. A pair of Leather Rehab Shoes and a bag I gave my wife.

Who are you going to pass the baton to?

My colleague Rob Meulenbroek.

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