Jacco de Kluijver, vice president of global business development at aerial lift manufacturer Genie, is to leave the company at the end of June after 19 years with the company.
Why? One reason is a change of industry and a prime opportunity. After spending his entire career in or around the lift industry, he is joining US based bicycle component manufacturer, SRAM, where he will be sales director for Europe, a dream job given his enthusiasm for bikes and cycling.
Jacco de Kluijver
Speaking of his new role, he said: “As an avid cyclist, I will have the opportunity to turn a personal passion into my daily work, something I am really looking forward to.”
Adding: “After an incredible journey with Genie, I look back on more than 19 years with the company – and over 25 years in this amazing business – I feel nothing but gratitude and pride. At the same time, very excited about starting a new chapter in my life.”
“Genie has played a defining role in shaping who I am today, both professionally and personally. The experiences, opportunities, and challenges have allowed me to grow in ways I could never have imagined.”
“What I will value most, though, are the genuine relationships and friendships built along the way. Working alongside such talented, passionate, and dedicated people has been a true privilege, and these connections will stay with me far beyond my time at Genie. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
“Apex in Maastricht will mark my last appearance in the aerial work platform industry – an industry and a community with which I will always feel a close connection. Although saying goodbye is not easy, I am throwing myself into what lies ahead with great anticipation and will always carry a piece of genius and this industry within me.”
25 years in the industry
De Kluijver began his career in 1997 as a salesman with transport and logistics company Slavenburg & Huyser, before moving to the Genie and Grove crane distributor HDW
Jacco de Kluijver on joining Genie in 2007
In 2005, he made his first departure from the aerial lift business as European sales manager with Towerlight, but two years later, he was back, joining Terex/Genie as territory sales manager for the Benelux region, going on to be sales director for the UK, Ireland and Benelux, sales director for Europe, Africa & Middle East and moving into his current role in 2022.
In 2009 - already a seasoned AWP man
He has also done his bit for the industry as a whole, serving on the IPAF council and, since 2022, as a non-executive director of the Federation.
Vertikal Comment
Jacco de Kluijver has been a consistent and active player in the international aerial lift industry and has worked hard for Genie through good times and occasionally not so good times. Always loyal, always professional and an all-around decent individual. That is certainly our take on it, although over the years we have had our ups and downs, and disagreements, which is inevitable between people who are really passionate about what they do.
As to his new move, he has always waxed lyrical about bikes and cycling, so this does indeed sound like a plum job for him, a dream job even, and one not to be passed up. Time moves ever faster, and opportunities such as this should never be allowed to 'slip through the hands'.
All of us at Vertikal wish him well for his future career. SRAM may not yet realise how well they have recruited.
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