2024-10-18
The experts at Troostwijk Auctions travel daily across the Netherlands and Belgium to compile the most attractive auction offerings. With their knowledge of the industry, their involvement with both sellers and buyers, and a big smile on their faces, they ensure that everything surplus for one company becomes a new beginning for another.
We would like to introduce you to Mattijs Kuiper (41), who has been an account manager for Transport & Logistics at Troostwijk Auctions in the Netherlands for five years. With a diploma from a hotel management school, a career in the auction world was not an obvious choice. But after years in hospitality and working as a business advisor at Rabobank, Mattijs ended up at Troostwijk. A perfect match, as it quickly turned out. “Here too, everything revolves around service and attention to detail. Always striving for the best for the client.”
Entrepreneurs are increasingly finding their way to Troostwijk for auctioning their business assets and machinery, also in the transport and logistics sector. Mattijs travels all over the country to talk to entrepreneurs. “What I love about this sector is that everyone is straightforward. Straight to the point, just like me.”
Not Just for Bankruptcies
There is still often a negative association when it comes to auctions. “When people see a neighbor’s auction, the first thought is: oh, things must not be going well. There is still a perception that you only auction when facing bankruptcy. That’s completely outdated. Only eight percent of what we do is bankruptcy-related nowadays. Most of my time is spent helping entrepreneurs sell their machines well, so they can reinvest and specialize. Idle equipment often just costs money,” says Mattijs.
Excessive Stock
And entrepreneurs in the industry have accumulated a lot of idle equipment. Over the past few years, companies have built up higher stocks, and transporters have expanded their warehousing. “Some clients, for example, still have a lot of generators. When the war with Ukraine broke out, demand for these skyrocketed. They sold like hotcakes. Large quantities were purchased at the time, but now they are not selling anymore.”
A Large Foreign Market
“We can market equipment and vehicles well because we almost always sell to an end user abroad. This way, you always get a better price than selling to a dealer,” continues Mattijs, who connects many Dutch entrepreneurs with companies in Eastern Europe through the platform. Mattijs: “Suppose you’re an entrepreneur in the Randstad; you can no longer supply stores in downtown Amsterdam with large diesel trucks. Many companies are working hard on making their fleets more sustainable. Vehicles that are no longer allowed here are still very useful for entrepreneurs in Eastern European countries like Romania.”
No Hassle
Business assets get a second life, and the entrepreneur gets the highest possible proceeds, allowing for reinvestment. “The returns are good, and the auction process is transparent. Moreover, Troostwijk has the expertise to attract international and diverse buyers. On top of that, you don’t have to deal with the administrative hassle, like arranging export documents. You also don’t have to take your own photos or check if a machine is in good condition. The support and handling provided by Troostwijk are very efficient,” states Mattijs.
Mattijs closes with tips for entrepreneurs. “Keep a close eye on all developments. For example, the BPM exemption for purchasing a delivery van will expire on January 1, 2025. It might be smart to renew your fleet before the end of the year.” And about auctions? “A well-presented lot attracts more bidders and increases the chances of a successful auction. Clear titles and attractive photos help buyers decide faster, leading to higher proceeds and better results for you as a seller on our platform.”