'Many construction companies are selling their machines because they are ceasing business'

The experts at Troostwijk Auctions travel daily throughout the Netherlands and Belgium to create the most attractive auction offerings possible. With their knowledge of the industry, their commitment to both sellers and buyers and a big smile on their faces, they make sure everything surplus to one company becomes a new beginning for the other.

We would like you to meet Floris Bakels, account manager at Troostwijk Auctions. It's no coincidence that his expertise lies in the timber and construction industry: Floris has had a passion for DIY and craftsmanship all his life. He even built his own house. 'My knowledge of technology and construction allows me to recognise opportunities and assess what does and does not work for an auction in this sector. What makes me happy? 'A successful auction result that satisfies both buyer and seller.'

Floris (32) has been working as an account manager for timber and construction at Troostwijk Auctions for almost three years. 'I also did account management before this. I prefer to combine my work with my hobby of doing odd jobs and working with my hands. So when I saw the vacancy for an account manager in timber and construction at Troostwijk Auctions, I applied immediately. This job suits me down to the ground.'

Attractive auction offering
'As an account manager, I have to ensure – together with the other account managers – an attractive auction offering on our website. One way I achieve this is by contacting construction companies and wholesalers. These companies often have materials left over or machines they no longer use, for example. I tell them they can auction these surplus materials and machines through Troostwijk. 'The result is that the items get a second life and the seller earns something too.'

Sellers also take the initiative themselves, according to Bakels. 'Troostwijk has over 90 years of experience in auctioning. We're a big name with a large reach – we have around four million visitors to our platform every month. This large number of followers, viewers and bidders makes us an appealing choice for auctioning.'

Many construction companies are closing down
Floris explains that the number of auctions in the Dutch construction sector has increased over the past year. 'Figures from Troostwijk Auctions show (see our latest report on construction) that more and more construction companies are selling their machines and goods because they are ceasing business. It's becoming increasingly difficult for SMEs in particular to keep their heads above water with the competition from large companies in this sector. This is partly due to the decrease in building permits caused by the nitrogen issue,' says Floris.

'In construction these days you have to choose: expand to handle large projects or focus on smaller assignments. Medium-sized construction companies are left out. As a result, the number of construction businesses closing down is increasing.' 

Straightforward
Because Floris is highly skilled himself and does a lot of manual work, he has extensive knowledge of the timber and construction industry. 'I can recognise opportunities and can often tell immediately whether a machine is suitable for auction or not. With my knowledge of technology and construction, I can also inspect the mechanical parts of machines and check whether there has been any tampering with the machine hours.'

He explains that in all cases he is clear and straightforward with his clients. 'I'm always honest, so clients know what they can expect from me. Of course, the contacts are business related, but to collaborate successfully I think it's important to have a good relationship with the clients. So relationship management is a big part of my job and I really enjoy it.'

Creating sustainable value
One auction that Floris still remembers was for a door factory. 'They were relocating because the old factory building was being demolished. All the machines in this old building were auctioned. This included a 20,000 kg roller. We had to hire a crane and even break the roof open to get the crane out. That was a unique experience. But it would be a shame to get rid of it, right? he laughs.

This is also one reason Floris is so proud of his work at Troostwijk Auctions. 'We live in a time when it's good to be sustainable. I think it's important not to just throw out things that someone no longer uses but that still have value. Someone else can reuse it. We encourage this at Troostwijk. I like to create value in this way. Sometimes I come to an industrial estate where another person might wonder whether there's anything to auction. But I know I shouldn't have any prejudices. You name it; we can auction it!”