PromZ Vak 4 · 2025 · English edition

OUR BESTSELLER

3 new colours

Visit our booth 930

Scan & discover all colours!

The Peppermint Company | www.peppermint.nl | +31 53-4750430

Next Gen: Chiara de Kruijff

Chiara has now been infected with the "Araco virus" for two years and works there as an account manager. With great enthusiasm, she gives a tour of the company. For every product, she knows exactly how and where it is printed and what the pros and cons are. “I attend many trade shows to showcase our products and meet both existing and potential clients.” At Araco, we don't really have a dedicated field sales team: “I usually attend trade shows in the DACH region together with a regular colleague. I visit around thirty trade shows a year.” To fit all of that into her schedule — and keep up with her inbox — a structured planning approach is essential. “Structure is really important to me, and I actually enjoy it. It helps me get the most out of my day.”

Speed and quality

Customer relationships are something Araco truly excels in. “Because we’re close to the customer, there’s far less chance on errors. That also makes the work more enjoyable and more human.” On top of that, Araco’s delivery is lightning-fast because the printing facility is only a 15-minute drive from the office. “We can deliver blank items within a day, and printed items are shipped within one to two days. Embroidery is usually done in Romania, which takes two to three weeks. And of course, we’ve been doing this for over 40 years — something our customers really value.”

Why work in the Netherlands?

“The biggest difference I notice between Germans and Dutch people is that Germans tend to be more hesitant when it comes to change. If they've ordered a product before, they often want the exact same thing again. When I first started at Araco, it took some clients a little time to get used to a new face. But once they know you, they prefer to work with you exclusively.” And in terms of work culture: “Dutch people are more direct, always up for a Friday afternoon drink, and the work environment is much less hierarchical.”

Vision for the Future

Right now, Chiara is very enthusiastic about her role and the company, but there’s a growing sense of ambition. “At the moment, there’s one Dutch colleague working in marketing. I have a background in marketing myself, and I think I could help inspire this market as well. Of course I also speak ‘the language of the Germans.’ Over time, I hope to grow into more of a leadership role.” And is she done learning? “Definitely not! I’ll soon be joining the Young Professional Academy. I hope to learn even more about the industry there — and hopefully meet new people too.”