Twan van den Eijnden knows Brabender’s laboratory devices for the plastics and rubber industry since ages. Since July 2022, Twan is sales manager in the sales team of hydraulic laboratory presses manufacturer Fontijne Presses in the Netherlands and responsible for the sales of Brabender and Fontijne Presses products in the Netherlands. How he knows Brabender and what he associates with the products, he told Brabender in an interview.

Brabender: Please introduce yourself shortly. Who are you?

Twan van den Eijnden: I am 52 years old, married and have three children aged 14 to 18. I studied mechanical engineering, so I have a technical background. I complemented this knowledge with training in sales, marketing and account management. My hobbies are my garden, spending time with my family, cycling and hiking.

Brabender: Where did you work before?

Twan van den Eijnden: After graduating in 1995, I started my professional career at a Dutch mold making company, with focus on direct and indirect (agents network) sales of a standardized injection mold system (for manufacturing test specimens) to polymer producing and processing companies. I left this company in 2006 and started working for a German based company selling equipment for testing polymers. Last 5 years I worked as sales manager for another Dutch mold making company.

Brabender: How do you know Brabender?

Twan van den Eijnden: The first time I met Brabender was during my professional work at trade fairs. After changing jobs in 2006, I had a training course at Brabender in Duisburg. Now I am happy to be responsible for the Brabender products in the Netherlands.

Brabender: What do you associate with Brabender products? What experience do you have with it?

Twan van den Eijnden: Brabender’s products are absolutely high-tech and very robust. They have a high German quality as well as modularity. The software is also very good. This is why customers using Brabender products are very satisfied. Customers also very much appreciate the good service, installation and maintenance support.

Brabender: What experience and skills do you bring with you and how would you like to use them for the collaboration with Brabender?

Twan van den Eijnden: All in all, I have gained over 25 years of experience in sales and know exactly what is important for the customer as well as for the manufacturer and agent. I also have many Dutch as well as German and English-speaking contacts in the plastics sector and am very familiar with the sales process.

Brabender: What are you most looking forward to in your new position?

Twan van den Eijnden: I am looking forward to work with the customers and the people at Brabender to make Brabender even better known in the Netherlands. Another advantage of working with Brabender is that we have the opportunity to carry out trials with customers in the application laboratory in Duisburg, close to The Netherlands. It is a huge competitive advantage that customers can take their own material to Duisburg and use the Brabender equipment to test the application.

Brabender: What are your goals regarding the new position?

Twan van den Eijnden: The main goal is selling more devices and increasing overall sales by taking advantage of the cross-selling opportunities of Brabender and Fontijne Presses products. In addition, the brands of the devices should be in people’ minds, so that they immediately think of Brabender, for example, when they need a laboratory extruder or mixer. But it is also important to have fun with the new job, which shouldn’t be forgotten.