How did you actually end up at VPD?

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “I was in a training course at Forem, the Walloon public employment and training service. We had just obtained our C license and had to find a two-week internship. I walked into VPD to do my internship and they immediately said: ‘If you want, you can just come work here.’ So I quit the course and started directly at VPD. That’s how it all started.” 

From tachograph to electronic card 

Now it’s 18 years later. What has changed for you?

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “I’ve remained a driver all these years, always with my C license. That was important to me from the start and suits me perfectly. You plan your schedule, follow instructions, but you also have some autonomy. A lot has changed at VPD and in the job itself. The company grew and we moved a few times. We used to drive DAF trucks with paper tachographs. I experienced the transition to the electronic card and to modern vehicles. Today everything is semi- or fully automatic, even electric. The sector has changed tremendously.” 

Do you have a favorite truck brand? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “Not really. I drove a Scania for 12 to 13 years. You get used to it. 

Now I drive a Renault and it drives great. As long as the equipment is reliable and well-maintained, I’m satisfied. And at VPD, the maintenance is really done properly.” 

Driving isn’t just a job — it’s a choice. 

What are the most important qualities for a driver? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “Staying calm is essential. If you get stressed in traffic jams, your day is ruined. You also shouldn’t be afraid of long days or lots of driving. You respect the rules and take care of the equipment and goods. But most importantly… you have to enjoy it.” 

In the meantime, you also often guide new drivers? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “Yes, that’s right. And I enjoy doing it. When I started, someone also took me under their wing immediately. So it’s natural for me to do the same. I want new colleagues to feel comfortable from day one. That really influences how they experience the company. 

I always ask the same first question: ‘Are you here because you really want to be a driver, or are you just looking for a job?’ Because you notice that difference right away. Driving isn’t just a job — it’s a choice. You’re alone on the road, you meet customers, you carry responsibility. If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t last. And as a driver, you follow the procedures. Rules are rules. You’re driving 19 tons… it’s not a bicycle. Loading and unloading also means securing things properly. You have to respect driving and rest times, and safety comes first. Sometimes I have to address new drivers for speeding. 

That’s not always well received, but I say it for their safety and for others.” 

How do you explain your job to others? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “I just say: ‘I’m a driver-deliverer, and I’m proud of it.’ This job has let me discover all of Belgium: streets, villages, museums, places I would never have seen otherwise. Sometimes I drive without GPS, I know the roads now. For years I delivered for brands like Electrolux, Samsung, and Liebherr, so a lot of routes are stored in my head.” 

Making an effort always opens doors 

How do you experience contact with customers? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “How you approach customers is super important. If you’re friendly and show you want to help, you’re already 80% there. Even if something seems impossible, like delivering on gravel or a narrow driveway, I still try. Making an effort always opens doors. And as a French-speaker in Flanders, a simple ‘goeiedag’ in Dutch makes a world of difference.” 

Do you have a lot of contact with the other drivers? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “Yes, and there’s a lot of solidarity between drivers. You go through the same situations, so you help each other. We exchange tips for approaching challenging customers, or finding alternative entrances. It saves time for new colleagues. When VPD was smaller, it already felt like family, and that feeling has never gone away. Everything is about responsibility and respect.” 

VPD gives you opportunities 

You’ve now been with VPD for 18 years. What keeps you here? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “From day one, VPD felt like family. I immediately got a chance, even without finishing my training. You don’t forget that. There are no barriers here and everyone is approachable. You’re not a number, you’re a person. Drivers help each other and problems are solved together. VPD has grown, but the mentality has stayed the same.” 

Are there also points of improvement? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “For years, communication was the weak point. But since the new operations manager arrived, that changed too. He responds quickly and appropriately in the drivers’ group. That gives confidence. When you’re stuck out there, you need someone who gets it and replies fast. 

Sometimes validations could still be faster because we lose time waiting, but everything is clearly moving in the right direction.” 

How do you see your future at VPD? 

Ibrahim Djiasse Gandah: “I hope for a great future for all of us. And I’d like to keep working for a few more years. I’m still motivated. I also hope VPD continues to grow and that communication keeps improving… and that we can all keep doing our jobs in this great atmosphere.”