Team

Edwin started in January 1989 as an Account Manager, first in office sales and then two years later in field sales. ‘During my first business trip to Asia, I was able to see behind the scenes at where the carpets were made, and it really opened my eyes. Since then, I’ve found carpets completely fantastic. Self-employment is in my DNA, on my mother’s side of the family. When I got the chance to take over the business twenty years ago, I immediately grabbed the opportunity with Mirjam. I still get the same pleasure from work as I did at the beginning. I’m proud of our wide portfolio of customers and our loyal customers. It makes me happy when I hear that they like to work with us. That satisfaction and loyalty are completely mutual. Together, we aim for the best results.’

‘I’m mad about football. My favourite football club, AZ Alkmaar, is from my home town and was founded in the same year that I was born. I prefer to go jogging with my daughter Sterre, which is pure quality time. I’m a fairly outspoken person. When I get the feeling that something is good, I’m usually right. I’m absolutely not someone who has doubts. For instance, Sterre always asks for my opinion first when she has new clothes. Whether she actually listens to it is another matter,’ laughs Edwin.

Mirjam Tromp, the owner of De Munk Carpet, went backpacking around the world when she was younger. She worked for Singapore Airlines for ten years, which she greatly enjoyed. In 1998, she met Edwin and in 2001 they decided to take over De Munk Carpets. ‘Edwin said: ‘I’ll only do it if you want to do it too,’ said Mirjam. ‘I’d never done order or financial administration before, but we developed rapid and convenient systems by thinking logically. I found my experience of working in the hectic world of Schiphol Airport was immensely helpful. I’m able to pick things up quickly and put them into practice immediately. At De Munk Carpets, I look after the drawings for the Nepal collection. I’m also in charge of financial matters and insurance and HR. In fact, I do everything that is not connected with the orders.’

‘Together with Edwin, I’m pleased to be a supporter at Sterre’s volleyball tournaments. I also love to go for walks in the woods or along the beach with my labradoodles, Diesel and Bikkel. I find that having the dogs in the office is welcome relaxation for not only myself, but also for many of the others in the team.

‘At De Munk Carpets, I take of checking and keeping an eye on all of the incoming and outgoing goods’. I absolutely love the versatility of my job. One day I might be unloading a container full of carpets, and I look like a miner. Another day, I could be sitting with customers who are looking for a beautiful carpet. I’ve been working with Edwin for thirty years and people say that we’re like a married couple. When he became my employer ten years later, nothing actually changed in our working relationship. He’s my colleague who also pays my salary.’

As a father of two girls, Jack is far outnumbered at home. ‘But that’s no problem at all. Alongside enjoying time with my family, I absolutely love sport and exercise. Cycling, tennis and fitness are my favourites. I don’t go cycling just for the nature. I also love above all to set some decent speeds,” laughed Jack.

John made the switch to De Munk Carpets from another carpet wholesaler ten years ago. ‘We’d had contact in the past, but the time wasn’t right then. When I called, it was exactly when another representative had left. That was definitely good timing. I’m someone who doesn’t need much guidance to get the best success rates from a relationship with a customer. My approach is not always the way that Edwin would do things, but it’s certainly successful,’ laughed John. ‘Several years ago, we really wanted to exhibit at a trade fair. We both liked the idea of the Belgian trade fair Intirio. We got in touch with the trade fair organisers at the last minute and it turned out that they still had a space left. Edwin liaised quickly with Mirjam and the decision was taken. We jumped into the car and headed for Belgium and got things going for the trade fair. These were great moments.’

Alongside long days at work, John always finds time to go walking, cycling, and to read or do something nice with his wife. They like to go on holiday to Vietnam, which is where his wife was born. John’s children and grandchildren also play a major role in his life. ‘Actually, you can sum me up in just four words: someone who enjoys life!’

Ellen does everything at top speed. You can often see her sprinting over to the printer on her high heels. If there’s still something that needs finishing, Ellen will always be there to lend a helping hand. ‘I’m very accurate and I can keep a good overview of all of the incoming and outgoing orders. My colleagues often say that I see and remember everything. These are qualities that come in very handy in my role as an Office Manager.

Ellen adores animals. ‘I don’t have dogs at home because I work fulltime. That’s why I love it that we have two dogs here in the office. When Edwin and Mirjam are on holiday, I like to look after Bikkel and Diesel. My partner and his brother breed racing horses, so I have more than my fair share of animals to enjoy. Greece is my favourite country for holidays. My partner and I absolutely love the relaxed atmosphere, the fabulous weather and the great food. We are always looking for nice, quiet areas, such as Stoupa on the Peloponnese peninsula. We are far from finished with Greece, as we still have so much more to discover.’

‘At De Munk Carpets, everything is in order right down to the smallest detail. Mirjam organises everything so that there are no queries or uncertainties. That was seven years ago, and it still applies today. This was a breath of fresh air compared to my previous employment in the haulage industry. When Edwin and Mirjam approached me recently for a job as a Warehouse Assistant, I didn’t need to think twice about it. We know each other well as we have lived in the same road for over ten years. Edwin and Mirjam are extremely nice people, and I enjoy working for them and I go the extra mile.’

As a Warehouse Assistant, Erwin takes care of things such as packaging, dispatching, unpacking and checking carpets. He also attends to all the large and small odd jobs within the company. ‘I trained as a carpenter and I love to work with my hands. Everything can be made or repaired, and if it can’t, then I find another solution.’

When he is not at work, Erwin enjoys sport. ‘Only as a spectator, however,’ laughed the new Warehouse Assistant. ‘I like to watch a football match on TV, or visit the grounds of my favourite club, AZ Alkmaar. The other loves of my life are my daughters. Even though they’re already grown up, I do everything for them, through thick and thin.’

‘Around a year ago, Mirjam started talking about getting a second dog. It would be nice for Bikkel to have some company. Particularly at his age, because once he gets older, he won’t appreciate having a lively young pup around so much. And so energetic Diesel joined our family.’ laughed Edwin.

Monika: ‘I’d really like to have a dog of my own, but you can’t do this when you work fulltime. It’s fantastic being at the office with the dogs and I enjoy taking them out.’

Ellen: ‘They’re extremely low-maintenance dogs and I enjoy having them around.’

Jack: ‘At first I was sceptical about having dogs in the office. But it’s going well and the customers are not bothered because the dogs stay out of the way upstairs.’

Luuk: ‘Since I’m on the road a lot of the time, I don’t see the dogs very often. But their presence creates a cosy atmosphere. They help you to put everything into perspective. When they make a fuss about a piece of rope, I think, yes, that’s really all it is.’