2024-09-05

The experts at Troostwijk Auctions are out and about daily across the Netherlands and Belgium to deliver the best and most attractive auction offerings. With their knowledge of the industry, their involvement with sellers and buyers, and a big smile on their faces, they ensure that everything redundant for one company becomes a new beginning for another.

 

We introduce you to Diethard Huygen (49), account manager at Troostwijk Auctions in Belgium for the wood and construction industry. He has been working at Troostwijk Auctions for over 12 years. “I started as an expert in bankruptcies. I enjoyed doing that, but I missed the commercial aspect. Now I am an account manager and really involved in sales, which suits me. I grew up with it too, as my parents always had their own business.”

 

Voluntary Business Closures

Huygen has plenty of work at Troostwijk Auctions. The number of auctions in his sector is growing. “Recent figures from Troostwijk Auctions (see our latest report on construction in Belgium) show that many construction entrepreneurs are opting for voluntary business closures. In 2023, 95 Belgian construction companies auctioned their machines due to voluntary closures. By mid-2024, the counter already stands at 79. It is expected that this number will rise to 132 this year, an increase of 39 percent compared to 2023.”

 

According to Huygen, the driving forces behind these voluntary closures are higher interest rates on loans, wage increases, and restrictive demolition and reconstruction regulations.

 

Consignment Auctions

The increased mortgage interest rate also plays a role in business closures, according to Huygen. In the construction sector, the negative investment climate leads more and more entrepreneurs to buy machines for a specific project and then sell them afterward through so-called consignment auctions. By selling, entrepreneurs regain cash to purchase other building materials needed for new projects. In 2024, 21 construction companies have already participated in these consignment auctions at Troostwijk, where multiple parties offer lots in a single auction.

 

Good Relationships

“Since I’ve been working at Troostwijk for so long, I’ve seen a lot. I quickly learned that building a good relationship with a client is crucial. And that’s also my strong point, I really enjoy it. A client must not only trust Troostwijk Auctions but also the account manager. Good contact ensures that the auction process runs more smoothly. That’s why I always ensure clear communication and keep my promises; I find that important.”

 

Huygen’s former career as a professional handball player also contributes to this. “As a team player, you have to cooperate and be social. And I apply that in my work now. Not just with customers, but also with my colleagues.”

 

Making Good Agreements

“I always enjoy visiting sellers,” says Huygen. “It’s easier to talk when you can look each other in the eye. And sometimes, when I arrive at a location, like a construction site, I see that the auction location is not suitable, even if the materials are good. For example, four machines might be placed too close together. It’s then not possible for us to photograph and describe the machines properly. So sellers may have a bit more work to do before we can start.” He adds with a smile: “A successful auction starts with making good agreements. And that’s my task.”

 

All the auctions Huygen organizes are special to him in their own way. “I find satisfaction in both small auctions and auctions that generate high revenues. If the client is satisfied and so are we, I close a file with a good feeling.”