Cosun 125 years

Employee portrait: Arie Petter

Since 1899, we have been processing our crops into everyday products. We have grown into an organisation with over 8,000 members and tens of thousands of employees and suppliers. Together, we unlock the full potential of plants to produce smart solutions for current and future generations. In a series of portraits, we talk with our members and employees. Today, we talk to Arie Petter, service engineer at WTB Sensus, Zwolle.
31 July 2024

Would you  briefly introduce yourself?

“My name is Arie Petter, I’m 66 years old, and I work as a service technician at Sensus.” 

According to HR records, you’ve been with Cosun for 50 years!

“50 years with Cosun is a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s true that I’ve been working for 50 years now. I started with a holiday job at the local dairy factory in Hasselt when I was 15, and at 16, I was given a permanent contract. This factory changed ownership several times due to mergers and was eventually taken over, which led me to Sensus – and thus Cosun – in 1999. My years of service have always been carried over through these mergers. That’s very neat, but now it seems as if I’ve been working for Cosun for 50 years. It’s actually only been 25 years.” 

25 years is still a long time! How was the transition from dairy to a plant-based product?

“Despite the mergers and acquisitions, the nature of my job hasn’t changed much. We’ve been relocated a few times, but I’ve always been involved in machine maintenance. What attracted me to the job were the machines. At Sensus, we make powder from the inulin extracted from chicory. It’s delivered to us in liquid form, and we dry it. Essentially, we use the same machines that used to produce milk powder.” 

What do you like most about your job?

“No day here is the same. My job involves fixing machine breakdowns. I enjoy helping others move forward. Fortunately, there are not only breakdowns to fix; there’s always something else to do, such as preparatory work for major maintenance. Over these 50 years, the biggest challenge in my role has been the gradual implementation of automation. Sensus, of course, continues with this. In the past, many machines were operated manually. The operator had to turn the valves themselves. Now the computer does that. Technology advances, and you go along with it. I’ve taken courses to keep up with it. That has made the job much more interesting for me.” 

What moment has been defining in your career, and what will you never forget?

“The start of working for Sensus. The work at our factory for the dairy producer was coming to an end. Sensus took over the facility, along with 17 staff members, including myself. It was an exciting time because I could have ended up on the street. The negotiations didn’t go smoothly, and I had to reapply for my position. If Sensus hadn’t taken over, I would have been unemployed. 

Now, I’m gradually winding down. Next year, I will have worked for 51 years, and then it will be time to stop. However, I will keep busy. I love doing renovations, whether it’s at home or helping my children. 

I look back with great pleasure on what we have achieved together and how we’ve always tackled the challenges that came our way as a team.” 

Arie Petter
Over these 50 years, the biggest challenge in my role has been the gradual implementation of automation.”
Arie Petter
service engineer at WTB Sensus

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