THIJS CLAASSEN: WITH BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND AND IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Some people are born with a calling. For Thijs Claassen, that was road construction. From a young age, he could be found on the construction site, with a passion for paving. He has now been running his own company for over ten years and works daily with an enthusiastic team on various paving projects.
“Paving is something special,” says Thijs. “You start with a bare surface, and after a few days, there is a sleek, finished result. That gives so much satisfaction — that’s what I do it for.”
FROM FOREMAN TO ENTREPRENEUR
Before Thijs started his own business, he worked for years as an employee at other road construction companies. However, he felt the itch to start something himself. “I wanted to decide for myself how I worked, how I approached projects, and who I worked with. That freedom gave me the energy to set up my own company.”
He now has a team of 10 to 15 people around him, often self-employed professionals who know how to get things done. “We are a small to medium-sized company. Flexible, but also professional. And always focused on quality.”
EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT – BUT ALWAYS WITH STRUCTURE
The workday starts early, around 7 AM. “That’s when we are on-site and get to work. We handle the complete picture: from site preparation to setting curbs and laying the paving.”
Thijs Claassen’s customers are primarily contractors. “We almost always work as a subcontractor. This means we collaborate a lot with other parties, which also brings extra responsibility. But that suits us.”
SMART INVESTMENT IN MACHINES: RELLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
To make the work even more efficient, Thijs consciously invests in machines that contribute to both speed and quality. That’s how he ended up at De Schans. “I was looking for a better miniloader and kept coming back to RELLY. When you encounter something often and it feels right, you know you’re in the right place.”
The RELLY 1.0 turned out to be exactly what the company needed. “This machine is ideal, especially for mechanical paving. It is small, maneuverable, and you can drive it on fresh paving without leaving tracks. That is a real advantage.”
Thijs is also satisfied with the controls. “The display is clear and well-organized. And with the mechanical laying mode, working with a clamp, such as our Probst HVZ Uni 2, becomes super easy. You can tell that a lot of thought has gone into practical application.”
FUTURE-ORIENTED
In addition to the RELLY 1.0, the company uses other machines, but Thijs is already looking ahead. “I would like to purchase a RELLY 1.8 in the future. I can then use it to transport the packs of stones.”
Whether it’s laying stones or building his company, Thijs Claassen does it with conviction, craftsmanship, and a love for paving. “If you enjoy your work and deliver a beautiful result — then the day is a success.”
