Navigating global ventures: An interview with Dick Wesselink
Dick has been active in the business since 1989, primarily in the animal feed and pet food sector. He served as a company manager for 22 years at a firm in the Eastern part of the Netherlands which specialized in producing pet food and specialized animal feed. Despite a successful career, Dick eventually felt the need for a change and decided to work independently for a year, dealing in machinery and consultancy within the animal feed or related industries such as pet food and fish feed. Although he was content with his solo ventures, he decided to take on a new challenge. This was 17 years ago, marking the beginning of his journey with De Heus, where he joined the Global Technology department and supported all of De Heus' factories worldwide.
Moving to Vietnam and returning to the Netherlands
Nine years ago, Dick relocated to Vietnam as the Operational and Technology Director, overseeing factories and new projects. He significantly contributed to the company's growth. In January 2024, Dick returned to the Netherlands to handle CAPEX projects for feed production, as well as a desire for a new challenge after 8.5 years abroad.
One of his current projects: India
Design and preparation
Two years ago, Dick was approached to lead the greenfield project in India. Together with his team, he created a pre-design for the factory, including the positioning of buildings and parking areas. This concept design was then assessed against local norms and regulations, particularly in consultation with project manager Alan from Global Technology. Based on the available raw materials and capacities, a design was made for the factory.
Execution and challenges
In designing and executing the factory in India, it was crucial to consider local practices and requirements. For example, the ground had to be raised by 30 cm due to flooding risks during the rainy season. Another challenge was the contracting methods in India, which differ from those in the Netherlands.
Local and international collaboration
In the development of the future factory in India, Dick has seamlessly blended international expertise with local resources. Essential machinery like the hammer mill, mixer, and press originates from the Netherlands, while local contractors play a pivotal role wherever feasible. Automation, a critical component, is entrusted to Indian firms renowned for their robust IT capabilities. The project has also thrived on positive collaboration with local authorities, underscoring Dick's experience in navigating diverse cultural landscapes. A distinctive challenge encountered was the adaptation to local norms, such as the necessity for broader ladders in the production tower, which diverged from Dutch standards.
Dick is providing the necessary leadership to the construction team to make the new factory a reality and is looking forward to a brand new, high-quality animal feed factory in Rajpura, as part of his broader international efforts.