‘Vehicles that are no longer allowed in the Netherlands find new life in Eastern Europe’

The experts at Troostwijk Auctions travel through the Netherlands and Belgium daily to assemble the most attractive auction offers possible. They combine their knowledge of the industry, with their commitment to both sellers and buyers, and a big smile on their faces to ensure that what one business might consider surplus, creates a new beginning for another.

We’d like to introduce you to Mattijs Kuiper (41), who has been an account manager for Transport & Logistics at Troostwijk Auctions in the Netherlands for five years. Having earned a degree from hospitality business school, a career in the auction world was not an obvious path. But after many years in the hospitality industry and as a business advisor at Rabobank, Mattijs joined Troostwijk. It quickly proved to be an excellent match. "Here, too, it’s all about service and attention to detail. Wanting the best for the customer."

Entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to Troostwijk as the go-to partner for auctioning business assets and machinery, including in the transport and logistics sector. Mattijs travels across the country to speak with business owners. "What I like about this sector is that everyone is straightforward. They prefer to get straight to the point, just like me."

Not just when bankrupt
Despite growing awareness and opportunities for entrepreneurs, auctions still often carry a negative association. "When people see their neighbor’s auction, their first thought is: oh, things must not be going well. There's still a perception that auctions only happen during bankruptcies. That idea is entirely outdated. Only eight percent of what we currently do is bankruptcy-related. Most of my time is spent helping entrepreneurs sell their machinery effectively so they can reinvest and specialize. Idle equipment typically only costs money," says Mattijs.

Excess inventory
And there is a lot of idle equipment amongst entrepreneurs in the sector.  Recent years saw businesses scale up their inventories, prompting transporter companies to expand their warehousing. "Some clients, for example, still have a lot of generators. When the war in Ukraine broke out, these were in high demand and sold like hot cakes. Back then, they were bought in bulk, but now they’re not selling anymore."

A large foreign market
"We can market equipment and vehicles well because we almost always sell directly to an end-user abroad. That way, you always get a better price than through a dealer," continues Mattijs, who connects many Dutch entrepreneurs with companies in Eastern Europe through the platform. Mattijs explains, "Suppose you’re a business owner in the Randstad; you’re no longer allowed to supply stores in Amsterdam’s city center with large diesel trucks. This is causing many businesses to make their fleets more sustainable. The vehicles that can no longer be used here are still usable for business owners in Eastern European countries like Romania."

No hassle
Business assets get a second life, while the entrepreneur gets the highest possible return, allowing them to reinvest. "The returns are good, and the auction is transparent. Additionally, Troostwijk has the expertise to attract international and diverse buyers. Using our platform, you don’t have to deal with the administrative hassle, like handling export paperwork. You also don’t have to take photos yourself or check if a machine is in good condition. Troostwijk's service and handling are highly efficient," says Mattijs.

Mattijs concludes with tips for entrepreneurs. "Stay on top of industry developments. For example, the BPM exemption for purchasing a van will expire on January 1, 2025. So, it might be smart to renew your fleet before the end of the year." And regarding auctions? "A well-presented lot attracts more bidders and increases the chances of a successful auction. Clear titles and attractive photos help buyers decide faster, leading to higher returns and better results for you as a seller on our platform."