Tim van Lammeren, Project Manager

“At Neways Electronics, we distinguish between three types of projects. There are new projects, with specific customer requests that we develop into volume-ready production. Then there are investment projects, like overseeing and managing the construction of a new cleanroom. Finally, we have improvement projects, where we implement structural enhancements within regular production. The role of a project manager is, of course, largely about project management—keeping an overview and seeing the bigger picture. Not just for tomorrow, but also three weeks from now. Knowing when to say yes and when to say no. It involves a great deal of independence and proactivity toward the customer. You have to anticipate problems before they arise.”

“Problem-solving is what makes this job so much fun.”

“For each project, you have a dedicated team. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to coach that team and ensure goals are met. At Neways, you’re often directly involved with production. You can walk onto the production floor to see what’s causing a problem. As a manager, you need to make quick decisions and stay hands-on. But problem-solving is what makes this job so much fun. You need to maintain calm, address customer queries, and shield your team when necessary. For me, having a continuous improvement mindset is essential. If you don’t have that, this isn’t the job for you.”

“Your growth here is entirely up to you.”

“It’s hard to explain at a birthday party what my job entails. Saying you’re responsible for a circuit board in a chip machine lens is pretty abstract. But if you explain that you make essential parts for eye laser machines, people understand. Neways Electronics is growing rapidly, and we’re all growing along with it. Let me put it this way: if you take the initiative, it must be an extraordinary idea for Neways to say no. Growth is one of Neways Electronics’ strengths, and how far you progress is entirely up to you. I started here as an engineer and am now the manager of the project department.”

“Gathering at the coffee machine remains essential.”

“Even though we’re becoming more international, we’re still a company based in Brabant with a strong human component. The growth of Neways Electronics has made things more professional, but gathering at the coffee machine remains essential. The informal atmosphere that initially drew me here is ingrained in the company culture. Hopefully, Neways will take this culture global. You can see and feel the importance of the Brainport region when walking through Eindhoven. It’s all interconnected, with companies growing together in this Brabant vibe. I really enjoy working in an industry that’s growing and leading the way.”