The (more than) 40 women at Zuidberg

More and more women are choosing a career in engineering. This social trend is also visible at Zuidberg. Whereas twenty years ago, a female mechanic was an exception, today 45 women work within the company. “It creates a better balance on the shop floor, as well as in the canteen.”

Annelies Winters from the HR Department explains: “When we have a vacancy, we look for the right person for the position concerned. It doesn’t matter whether that person is a man or a woman. Nor do we recruit specifically for women; we choose on quality. Everyone gets the same opportunity, regardless of gender or age.” The trend you see in society is reflected at Zuidberg, says Annelies. “In recent decades, many more women have entered the workforce, and more and more women are choosing technical professions. You can see this in all industries, and it's no different here. There are currently 45 women working in Zuidberg.”

The third woman
That's quite a lot more than in 2002 when Ina Douma-van den Berg (54) started at Zuidberg as an assembly worker. At the time, she was the third woman on the shop floor. “A few women were working in the canteen, but otherwise, Zuidberg was a typical male company,” recalls Ina. “In those years, it was really exceptional to be a woman working at Zuidberg. I ended up at Zuidberg through a friend who was the first woman to work here in assembly. I heard from her that there was a vacancy and so applied to Betty Zuidberg. I had no experience or training whatsoever, but that was no problem; I started the very next day. I never left, and I hope to stay here until I retire.”

‘They are always there for me’
Whereas Ina has worked for Zuidberg for over twenty years, 40-year-old Anna Mazur started only a few months ago. Anna: “I work at Machining Centres vertical large and am the only woman there. It's the first time all my colleagues are men, but I don't have any problem with that at all. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I can ask my team leader and colleagues anything, they are always there for me. Sometimes the operator has to explain the same thing to me three times, but that doesn't matter, that's how I learn. Everyone gets a fair chance here. In your probationary period, it will automatically become clear whether you can do the job or not.”

Shipping meatballs
As a facilities service employee, Harnita Jansen-de Graaf (57) knows all the departments well. “I work throughout the company. As a result, I hear and see a lot and speak to everyone. That variety is the beauty of my job. That means every day is different for me.” In the eight years Harnita has worked at Zuidberg, she has noticed that the dynamics within the company have changed. “As the male-female ratio shifts, there is a better balance on the shop floor, as well as in the canteen. Men now also talk about things like nappies, and women talk about technical matters.” Harnita, too, can always count on her colleagues. “Whether it's lugging meatballs or something else, help is never far away.”

Being able to be yourself
Jentina van Benthem recognises that helpfulness. “A woman is also often better at asking someone for something, in a more subtle way. A man would say: bring that chair. I would ask if someone could bring that chair for me. A small difference, but an important one.” The 57-year-old administrator praises the atmosphere within Zuidberg. “Just be yourself; that's the prevailing motto here. I like that. There are no ranks or titles; at least, I don't notice them. I think it’s important to feel at home at work, and that’s absolutely the case here. I can just be myself and don't have to make an effort to be liked. Moreover, there is no macho behaviour. Whoever you are, man or woman, you are treated with respect by everyone.”