From the field to the warehouse. From temp worker to site manager.   

What has been your journey at VPD?  

Makhtar: “About 10 years ago, I started working at VPD. In the beginning, I was a temp. Then I got a permanent contract and started as a warehouse worker. That was an important moment for me because it was my first job in Belgium.  

I was lucky to have great supervisors who helped me from the beginning: they trained me, integrated me, and encouraged me. Thanks to them and my eagerness to learn, I was able to grow step by step. Over time, I became responsible for loading, then a team leader, warehouse supervisor, and finally site manager for Zellik, Antwerp, Flémalle, and Ghent. Looking back, I realize how far I’ve come: from warehouse worker to manager. I’m proud of that.  

But above all, I feel a deep sense of gratitude toward VPD: they gave me the opportunity to grow and show what I was capable of.” 

Would you like to add a bit more?  

Makhtar: “Before I started at VPD, I was a professional football player. I played in France, at AJ Auxerre. But after a double leg fracture, my career came to a sudden end. That was hard: I felt like I had lost everything. VPD gave me back my confidence, helped me rebuild myself. Thanks to this company, I found my motivation, my energy, and my self-respect again. And that has nothing to do with money, but with the human side. Here, you are respected, listened to, and encouraged. You feel like you matter.” 
 

A company that feels like a family   

What does VPD mean to you? 

Makhtar: “I got to know the company when it was still much smaller, but despite its growth, the mentality has remained the same: collegiality, respect, and a positive atmosphere. That motivation, solidarity, and team spirit are what set us apart. When a challenge arises, we solve it together. That is our strength. 

It’s not just a job, it’s a family.  

Since my very first day, I’ve felt at home here. To me, VPD is much more than just an employer. We work hard, but in a warm and human environment. Sometimes I just stay a bit longer because it’s fun to be around my colleagues. That says it all, I think. In France, I worked in a company where you almost never saw management. Here, it’s completely different. At VPD, everyone is approachable. The leaders here are involved; they show interest in who you are and how you're doing. It’s a company with a human face.  

Some people even leave and come back later. That says everything: this is not an ordinary workplace, it’s an environment where you feel good and appreciated.” 

Respect as a guiding thread 

What makes a good manager in your eyes? 

Makhtar: “Years ago, when I was still a team leader, I was asked that question during an internal session. I answered from the heart: a good manager is someone who supports, listens, shows respect, while also keeping the goal in mind: doing the job well. And today, I hold that position myself. It’s incredible! That means VPD listened to me, trusted me, and gave me the opportunity to grow. VPD is part of my story.” 

What do you think are the key qualities for your role?  

Makhtar: “Respect. Always respect. If you respect your work, you do it well. And if you respect people, that respect comes back to you. I’ve held every position: warehouse worker, team leader, supervisor… I know what each job entails, the challenges, and what can be improved. That experience helps me a lot in understanding and guiding my teams.  

A good manager is also someone who sets an example, not just someone who gives orders. I like being on the floor with my teams, so they can see I’m involved, that I listen. You have to be demanding, but also human: not too strict, not too soft.” 

The moment that changed everything   

Do you have an anecdote you’ll never forget?  

Makhtar: “I still remember a story from the canteen. We were all eating together, but I didn’t speak Dutch yet and was a bit shy. But then a song by Elton John came on the radio. I got up to get my fries and spontaneously started dancing! Everyone started laughing. From that day on, everything changed: colleagues came up to me, taught me Flemish, spoke with me. That was the real start of my integration. I learned that fear doesn’t help you move forward. You just have to be yourself, positive and open. That’s how you create connection.” 

It’s the little things that make the difference  

What makes VPD unique?  

Makhtar: “It’s the little things that make the difference, like the monthly breakfasts with colleagues. We exchange ideas and get to know each other better. Not just about work, but about life, kids, football… These moments really strengthen team spirit. 
In other companies, there’s a distance between workers and management, but not at VPD. Here, you might just run into Steven, our CEO, outside and talk about anything. That’s the strength of VPD: closeness and simplicity.” 

There’s always room for improvement    

What could still be improved? 

Makhtar: “No one is perfect, no company either. There is always room for improvement. If I had to mention one point, it would be the training of drivers. The VPD Academy is a great initiative, but it would be even better if we combined theory and practice more effectively. Some people learn faster by doing. If you train well from the start, you avoid problems later. And what I appreciate: management listens to that kind of feedback, and that matters.” 

I’ve found my place  

If someone asks you what kind of work you do, what do you say?  

Makhtar: “Recently, a neighbor told me: ‘I always see you smiling. What kind of job do you do?’ I replied: ‘I work in logistics, in delivery. I’m responsible for several warehouses.’ He said: ‘Wow, that’s hard work!’ And I answered: ‘That’s true, but I love what I do. And when you love your work, there’s no room for stress.’ I explained to him that for me, VPD is a place where I can be myself, where I feel good. That’s why I’m always smiling. Even my wife says it often: ‘You come home tired, but always in a good mood.’ And I say to her: ‘Because I love what I do.’ Simple, but true.” 

How do you see your future at VPD?  

Makhtar: “VPD has given me a career, a family, stability, and pride. As long as I can, I’ll keep giving my best. VPD is my second home. I don’t see myself working anywhere else. 
I want to finish my career here. I’ve found my place. If I ever leave, it will be because I’m retiring. VPD gave me my chance, and I’m grateful for that.” 

Would you like to add anything else? 

Makhtar: “Yes. Above all, I want to say thank you. To all the managers for their trust and daily commitment. To my colleagues, who supported me from the beginning. And to VPD itself, for everything it has brought me.”