At ARBO Pompen en Filters, we have recently taken another step forward in the development of our organisation. Paul de Haan has assumed the role of Managing Director, while Martijn van den Born, as Technical Director, will devote more of his attention to his passion: pump technology and innovation. It is a new division of responsibilities, but above all a natural continuation of the path we have embarked on together.
From a good idea to a successful partnership
Readers of our June 2025 newsletter may remember that we announced Paul’s arrival as Deputy Managing Director. The thinking behind that decision was clear: to strengthen our organisation while giving Martijn more scope to focus on what he enjoys most – engineering, product development and customer-focused solutions.
More than eighteen months later, we can look back on a period in which a great deal has happened. We have come to know each other, the organisation and the way we work together increasingly well. Perhaps more importantly, we have discovered just how effectively our different backgrounds and strengths complement one another.
After all, someone joining from a different industry after more than twenty years cannot be expected to know everything about plastic pumps overnight. Fortunately, there is no need for that. While one of us enjoys getting to grips with technical challenges, the other brings a fresh perspective to the organisation, commercial opportunities and the way we serve our customers.
What has helped enormously is the way our team has embraced this development. Their commitment, openness and willingness to move forward together have made Paul feel at home at ARBO in a remarkably short time. We are particularly grateful to our colleagues for that.
Trust and an instinctive understanding
A good working relationship naturally begins with trust, and that trust has only grown over the past period. We often understand each other without needing many words, can respond quickly and give one another the freedom to make decisions within our respective areas of expertise.
That is not only rewarding, but essential. The world around us is changing rapidly, and customer expectations continue to rise. Responding quickly, delivering high-quality solutions and continuing to innovate all require an organisation built on solid foundations.
With thirty years of experience across virtually every aspect of running the business, Martijn knows better than anyone what that involves. At the same time, we recognise that it is becoming increasingly difficult for one person to carry every responsibility. By dividing responsibilities differently within our management team, we can sharpen our focus and make even better use of each other’s strengths.
More room for ARBO’s technical heart
The new division of responsibilities gives Martijn more time and space to concentrate on the technical development of our products. This matters, because the technical knowledge accumulated over forty years is one of the foundations of our company.
Paul sometimes jokingly calls Martijn the “professor of pump technology”. It is a title Martijn himself is rather modest about, but one that says a great deal about the depth of knowledge and experience within ARBO.
We want to preserve that expertise, develop it further and pass it on to the next generation. That is why we are investing not only in our management structure, but also in engineering and R&D. By continuing to strengthen our development team, including Maarten Kuiper, we are creating an environment in which experience and fresh insights come together.
This will enable us to develop products faster, deliver innovative solutions and remain at the forefront of plastic pump technology in the years ahead.
Building the future together
For our customers and business partners, little will change in day-to-day dealings with ARBO. The familiar faces remain, as does our personal commitment. Martijn will remain closely involved with ARBO as its owner and Technical Director, while Paul, as Managing Director, takes responsibility for overall business operations and further commercial and organisational development.
This is emphatically not a farewell or a replacement, but a deliberate step to strengthen our organisation. We want not only to excel at what we do today, but also to safeguard continuity for the years ahead.
When ARBO celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024, it was a fitting moment to reflect on the past. Now our attention is firmly on the future. How rewarding would it be if, many decades from now, ARBO were still known for its technical expertise, innovative solutions and strong customer relationships?
With this new division of responsibilities, the trust we place in each other and, above all, the dedication of our entire team, we are confident that we can continue building that future together.
Martijn van den Born & Paul de Haan
Technical Director & Managing Director
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