Hans Buitenhuis, TECNED Managing Director

TECNED is a technology company specialised in industrial level energy conversions. Located in Balk, Friesland, TECNED has deep roots in the Dutch energy conversion industry.

Apart from catering to Dutch clients, the team of 20 employees exports about 80% of the business outside the Netherlands. Their systems end up in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and also Latin America.

Testimonials

“There’s a place for both young and older people. Any background is welcome. As long as you can contribute, diversify our team, and help us reach our business goals, you’re welcome here.”

Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

The company TECNED is small but internationally oriented, says TECNED Managing Director Hans Buitenhuis, who is aiming to expand his team.

TECNED, or Technology for Energy Conversion The Netherlands, is a technology company specialised in energy conversion. TECNED designs and manufactures energy systems for industrial clients. These include rectifiers, inverters, and UPS systems for those more familiar with the industry.

Located in Balk, Friesland, a province in the north of the Netherlands, TECNED has deep roots in the Dutch energy conversion industry. Apart from catering to Dutch clients, the team of 20 employees exports about 80% of the business outside the Netherlands. TECNED’s systems end up in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and also Latin America.

“TECNED is a company that supplies products mainly for industrial purposes. For example, we supply a lot to energy distribution and generation companies but also to the general industry. Although we’re a small company, we have many large entities that use our products. Most these companies are known worldwide,” explains Buitenhuis.

Working for TECNED

TECNED has a number of departments such as research and development, assembly, and design. There is some flexibility in terms of the working hours. For instance, on Fridays, a number of employees go to work early in order to have a free afternoon.

The office is also graced by the presence of company dog Silas who has been brightening up the employees’ days for 7 years.

“We are very pleased to have an international scope for our team. We’re happy to integrate them step by step into the team,” said Buitenhuis. He believes that integration works best through cooperation within a team and by learning on the job.

“There’s a place for both young and older people. Any background is welcome. As long as you can contribute, diversify our team, and help us reach our business goals, you’re welcome here,” says Buitenhuis.

He also explains that his company is not immune to the situation that affects the rest of the sector, which is a lack of women in the industry. This creates a gender imbalance.

TECNED is also looking for people with an international background to join its team. The reports that TECNED produces and the communication with clients are mainly in English. However, the daily conversations within the team happen in Dutch. Therefore, people that enter TECNED without knowledge of Dutch would have to learn the language along the way.

“TECNED is able to integrate and welcome people from abroad to join our team. We’re a strong growing organisation and we’re looking for people to join the workforce in the Netherlands. There’s a big shortage of workers in general and we’re lucky to be here in Friesland to be able to find the right people to help with our growth,” says Buitenhuis.

“You’re more than welcome to reach out and make yourself known,” concludes Buitenhuis.

Article and interview by Christoph Schwaiger. Video by Julia Dumchenko and Daindra Utami.

This article is part of Make it in the North‘s company spotlight series that highlights Northern companies that hire internationals. This article is originally published in The Northern Times.