New Faces in the Management Team; a Familiar Course Continues
With the departure of CEO Chris van Dranen, voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands is entering a new phase. Not a complete change of direction, but a logical continuation of a development that has been underway for some time. Chris is stepping down and retiring. On 1 June, Mark de Vries started as CEO alongside his existing roles within voestalpine Railway Systems. Earlier, on 1 April, Dominique Martens joined as Commercial Director. We spoke with them about their roles and how they, together with the team, will continue building on the company’s future.
A Trusted Foundation, New Energy
A familiar team, complemented by new accents. It reflects a clear approach: holding on to what works well while continuing to look ahead, with the goal of providing the right solution for every railway challenge.
Mark and Dominique have been part of the organisation for 20 and 10 years respectively. That brings stability and continuity in a sector where long-term thinking and reliability are paramount. “We know the organisation, the market, and the challenges we face together. That gives confidence,” says Dominique.
Mark also sees continuity as the key theme: few radical changes, but a clear focus on where the organisation can make the greatest difference. Responsibilities within the management team are clearly defined, enabling targeted leadership. “This allows us to maintain focus on both today’s challenges and those of the future,” says Mark.
Collaboration Is Shifting from Supplier to Partner
Where is the biggest change taking place? In the way organisations work together. Traditional customer-supplier relationships are increasingly giving way to partnerships, driven by the growing complexity of projects.
“Collaboration is becoming less about transactions and more about shared responsibility,” says Mark. “I believe our company has already undergone a strong development in recent years and makes every effort to align closely with what we can contribute to our partners. However, this journey is never finished, so for me our main task is to keep moving forward in this direction.”
That evolution did not happen automatically. “We see that traditional relationships do not always work anymore. That is why we consciously invest in openness and collaboration,” says Dominique.
This shift requires short lines of communication and a willingness to actively engage with one another, including within the management team itself. “By listening carefully to both the market and each other, we continue to develop as an organisation and as an industry,” says Martens.
Reliability as the Foundation
In a sector where planning and availability are critical, one theme remains as important as ever: delivering on your promises. That focus is clearly reflected in the organisation’s strategic choices. “We want to deliver what we promise, at the right time and with the right quality, while continuously looking at how we can improve even further,” says Dominique.
Mark agrees: “Our performance simply has to be fully under control, and we will always strive to exceed expectations in a positive way.” It may sound straightforward, but that is precisely its strength: no complex strategies, just doing what is necessary, consistently and reliably.
Looking Ahead Without Losing Sight of the Basics
The market continues to evolve through developments in sustainability, digitalisation and railway availability. According to Mark, this means adapting where necessary, but always from a clear vision: striving to provide the best possible solution for our partners.
Topics such as circularity, innovation and asset management form an integral part of a broader movement aimed at maintaining control over performance throughout the entire service life of railway infrastructure.
“Predictability and stability are essential. That is why we look ahead together and prepare ourselves purposefully for what lies ahead,” adds Dominique.
People Make the Difference
Ultimately, it is the people who make it happen every day. “The dedication and pride within the organisation, demonstrated by teams at every level, is one of our greatest strengths,” says Mark.
Dominique believes that this commitment is also vital for the future of the sector. “We work in a fantastic industry with significant societal relevance. It is our responsibility to keep inspiring people to become part of it,” says Dominique.
Building the Future Together
Together with Robert Krenmayr (CFO), Tim Brinkman (COO), and Wouter Lampe (Director Strategic Development), Mark and Dominique will continue building on the company’s existing course.
For customers and partners, little will fundamentally change, and that is exactly the intention. “They can continue to expect the same level of commitment, accessibility and collaboration,” says Dominique.
Partners will notice this mainly in day-to-day cooperation, both in projects and in the service and maintenance market, through short communication lines, clear communication and a shared approach to challenges.
With one clear conviction: “You only truly move forward together with colleagues and partners,” concludes Mark.
