Some people have a special connection with The Swaen. That is why we went out and asked what they had to share. In a series of interviews, you get to know the company through the eyes of our employees, former colleagues, customers from past and present, distributors, and even a few legends from the industry. Former colleague Justin started as an intern, but extended his presence as an all-round employee. This is Celebrating The Swaen with Justin Bakker.
When did you first hear about The Swaen?
Because I grew up in a nearby village, I had actually known about The Swaen since childhood. Back then, my primary school friends and I would cycle from Vogelwaarde to Kloosterzande to swim at the local pool. Because we had no idea what kind of factory it was, but we could certainly smell it, we simply called it “the aroma factory”.
Years later, during secondary school, I had to complete a project assignment. A friend and I chose brewing beer as our subject. We knew that The Swaen had something to do with brewing, so we randomly sent an email asking whether we could have a tour, despite having no idea about the malting or brewing processes. Surprisingly, we received a positive reply, and shortly afterwards Eelco Scholten and Jos Haeck gave us a tour. That was the moment I truly got to know The Swaen, and the name “the aroma factory” quickly changed into “the malthouse”.
Do you remember your first day at The Swaen?
My first day was mainly about introductions, arranging access to various IT systems, and setting up my laptop and phone.
How would you describe The Swaen?
Craftsmanship.
How would you describe the culture in one sentence?
A family business in Zeeland driven by the continuous ambition to guarantee quality.
What perfectly shows what The Swaen stands for?
There is not one single event or anecdote that perfectly represents The Swaen. What I consistently experienced was the dedication of all employees, especially during large orders, to work together and for one another, making initially impossible schedules achievable.
Which moment has stayed with you the most?
The opening of the new kiln.
What is The Swaen’s greatest strength?
The commitment of all colleagues, from production to office staff.
What is the most important evolution you have experienced?
The expansion of operations with the new kiln. Through modern technology, the production capacity of base malt increased significantly.
What roles have you had?
My first role at The Swaen was as an intern in the office. As a working student I supported the finance department. After graduating, I spent a long time helping in Customer Service. In addition, my Excel knowledge was occasionally used for various analyses and assignments.
What did an average working day look like?
Because of the variety of tasks, every day was different.
Which moment made you proud to work here?
During the opening of the new kiln, several tours were organised in advance. Demand for tours was so high that even I, with my limited knowledge of process and product, gave a tour through the operation. It was rewarded with very positive feedback afterwards, which made me proud that I could represent The Swaen, even with a small contribution.
Which period was the most challenging, and why?
The collaboration with Braumarkt. This cooperation brought several challenges, such as a weakened market position after Covid, overdue bookkeeping, and the considerable distance between the office in Kloosterzande and the branch in Almere. Although we approached this challenge with courage and energy, it ultimately was not enough to secure long-term viability.
What advice would you give to new colleagues?
The Swaen is a versatile company where every part of the chain is relevant and interesting. It offers the opportunity to learn about different disciplines and how they are connected. My advice would therefore be: stay curious, keep learning, and who knows where it may take you.
Want to learn more about the people behind The Swaen?
Explore our full series of interviews and discover the company through the eyes of those who know it best. Read more stories or get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
