Smart technology, strong collaboration: SES International and Wepro

Over the years, SES has deployed several Mechanical Engineers from Wepro on its projects. Some colleagues have even been requested to return for new assignments. One of them is Erwin Kreijkes, who lives in Rijssen. We spoke with Eric Tuller, Rogier Levers, and Wepro colleague Erwin.

Working on global technology solutions

Rogier Levers, who has been working at SES for more than 17 years as Sales Manager, speaks enthusiastically about his role.
“I work closely with Eric. Our goal has always been to build strong relationships with our customers and provide innovative solutions that match their needs. By doing so, we truly understand market demand, and customers come to us when they need a process solution.”

Eric Tuller brings over 25 years of experience as Team Leader of the Projects department. “Together, we make sure everything runs smoothly. My role includes coordinating projects, monitoring deadlines, and ensuring efficient collaboration between departments.”

Green steel

Erwin Kreijkes also shares his experiences. He has been working as a Mechanical Engineer at Wepro for nearly 14 years and provides project-based support to SES.

“This is my second period at SES, after an earlier collaboration of three and a half years. I mainly focus on designing and developing machines and systems that meet the specifications and requirements of SES customers.”

He continues:
“The project I’m currently working on focuses on the production of green steel. Green steel is produced CO₂-neutrally by using hydrogen in the production process. SES provides a process solution for pumping and transporting this gas. My role in this project is Lead Engineer. I maintain the helicopter view and divide the work among the other engineers so it can be further developed.”

Building smart process solutions together

Eric Tuller explains how the collaboration between SES and Wepro began. “The partnership goes back a long way. Tonny Snijders, our Manager of the Design Engineering department, established contact with Wepro in the past. Since then, we’ve completed many joint projects. We notice that Wepro engineers have a strong technical foundation. Our way of working involves many standards, customer requirements, and regulations, which we need to teach. It’s important that people pick this up quickly—and Wepro engineers do so very well.”

Eric is highly positive about the collaboration: “We have a long shared history. Erwin, for example, was specifically asked to return for a complex engineering assignment because of his excellent work in the past. He already has in-depth knowledge of our production processes, which allows him to be deployed quickly. That’s very valuable to us.”

Space, talent, and up-to-date knowledge as key challenges

Rogier indicates that the biggest challenges lie in space and staffing. “We recently expanded our facilities by 1,600 m², but it’s already full again. Finding skilled technical personnel is also a major challenge. The market is highly competitive, and we must continuously innovate and improve efficiency to stay ahead. In that sense, Wepro offers a strong solution as a flexible workforce—we want to remain adaptable.”

Knowledge development

For Erwin, the main challenge lies in acquiring sufficient knowledge of the products and methodologies used at SES.
“It’s important to gain practical insight and understand how everything fits together. As an engineer, you must also stay up to date with the latest technologies and market developments to meet customer demands. In that regard, the Wepro Academy is a valuable addition.”

The power of a strong match

Eric Tuller emphasizes how well the collaboration works.
“Wepro deploys high-quality engineers who fit well within our way of working. You can tell that Wepro colleagues maintain strong contact with their home base. I personally find that important—Wepro is their employer, and proper support matters. I know that Erwin regularly visits the Wepro office or follows training through the Wepro Academy.”

Professional and personal development

Erwin also reflects positively on his experience at Wepro.
“Wepro offers many opportunities for both personal and professional development. The variety of projects and the support from Maarten as Team and Account Manager allow me to keep challenging myself. I’ve already completed many training courses through the Wepro Academy, including technical training such as Welding of Metals, Applied Mechatronics, and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing.”

He adds that soft skills training is just as valuable:
“These courses really help you grow as a person, especially since you work in different environments all the time. I think I’ve completed almost all the Wepro Academy trainings by now.”

New challenges and future vision

Looking back on his career, Erwin says: “After finishing my studies, I didn’t yet know exactly what I wanted. I met Wepro at a job fair, and it immediately felt right. The great thing about Wepro is that I get to work at different companies and constantly face new challenges. That keeps the work varied and interesting. Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked on projects ranging from agriculture to high-tech industries. That diversity makes working at Wepro so appealing.”

Rogier outlines SES’s future vision: “We want to continue growing and innovating, with a strong focus on continuity and quality. We want to still be earning our living from what we do today, 20 years from now. SES is a truly Dutch company, characterized by Twente pragmatism—and that’s what we stand for.”

Although SES is not officially a family business, it feels like one, Rogier explains: “We’re proud of what we do and of the people we do it with. The challenges lie in finding enough space and the right talent, but we remain optimistic and driven. We will continue investing in technology and innovation to provide our customers with the best possible solutions.”