“Not only do I get to interface with the business of collecting and delivering mail, but I also get to work with lots of men and women who actually do the delivery.”
Erik Brink
Region Manager
Royal TPG Post
Erik Brink delivered a means for increased sorting efficiency.
Groningen, Netherlands After joining TPG Post as a management trainee in 1993, Erik Brink found his place in the production area of the company, where six days a week mail is sorted and prepared for delivery to more than 7 million households across the Netherlands.
After progressing through several managerial roles, in 1997 Brink helped implement the new sorting structure that comprises six strategically located sorting centres across the Netherlands. With that project complete, he went on to manage one of those sorting centres before being tapped to manage distribution in the Groningen region.
“Being a region manager is one of the nicest jobs at TPG Post,” he said. “Not only do I get to interface with the business of collecting and delivering mail, but I also get to work with lots of men and women who actually do the delivery. It’s a lot of communication, a lot of motivation and at the same time keeping a close eye on the budget and the high quality of delivery service.”
In 2003, Brink took on the additional role of leading the nationwide installation and preparation for implementating 286 new purpose-built sequence sorting machines, part of TPG Post’s so-called Master Plan to proactively combat volume declines and increasing competition. The first of the machines – which use new technology to automate the preparation of postal delivery rounds for some 40,000 mail carriers – were installed in late 2003. The new processes bring optimal efficiency to the collaboration between man and machine. Machines sort the mail, then human carriers ensure each piece is delivered to the home of its recipient.
“I really get a kick out of achieving ongoing efficiency in the Mail business, and I get a lot of opportunity to do my thing,” said Brink. “I like the company and the people I work with, and I’m excited about the transformation we’re making to becoming an increasingly streamlined company not only in the Netherlands, but worldwide. That motivates me to keep striving for more.”