BUITINK ZONWERING DEVENTER IN OTHER HANDS

A DEPARTURE READS A NEW BEGIN IN

“When I close the door behind me here for the last time, I will have exactly 51 years and 3 months on the clock!” Speaking is Henk Buitink, owner and founder of Buitink Zonwering in Deventer. Henk fortunately does not have to contend with the ‘business succession’ problem known in the industry. The torch is handed over neatly, and not to the least.

“For me, a boyhood dream is coming true,” says a beaming Dennis Nijenhuis. On March 1, 2020, he will officially take over the keys to the Deventer awning store that Henk Buitink has put his heart and soul into since April 1, 2002. And so two wishes come true....

It began with the introduction of a new product

Dennis - 38 years young - knows the ropes in the sun protection industry. His career in the industry started at Buitink Apeldoorn, Jan Schotpoort's company. “I worked there for seven years and the sun protection virus took hold of me forever,” he says with a laugh. In the past, Henk worked with his brothers Martin, Frans and Louis in the family business, which was later split up. The fact that for Dennis the next step is now his own Buitink branch completes the circle in a nice way. “The industry now knows me as an account manager at weinor, where I ended up after working at Buitink Apeldoorn. That was exactly seven years ago on March 1.”

In early 2019, Dennis Nijenhuis stepped into Henk Buitink's office with a new weinor product ‘under his arm. Whether he wanted to include it in his showroom. ’I doubted whether I should do that,“ Henk Buitink says. ”I told Dennis honestly that I wondered if it still made sense, because I had been walking around with the idea of quitting for a while. Remember, I've been in the business since I was fifteen. At some point you do want to step back.“

Henk Buitink's outpouring was music to Dennis Nijenhuis“ ears because he always had the ambition to have his own business someday. ”I immediately took the plunge and asked Henk if he wouldn't sell the business to me," Nijenhuis says. An informational conversation in early 2019 resulted in a serious sales call after the summer. Because it felt right for both parties, a deal could be struck.

The premises of Buitink Zonwering Deventer.

Is there life after blinds?

Whether there is life after blinds? For Henk Buitink, yes, who now sees his desire to retire come true. “Whether I'm going to sit still? No, definitely not! Numerous jobs in and around the house await me. After all, I live rural and there is always something to do. In addition, I can pay extensive attention to another passion, namely old motorcycles, and the camper will be taken out of the barn more often. It is particularly nice that I was allowed to make this choice myself and did not have to wait for it to be made for me.”

For Dennis Nijenhuis, the March 1 takeover represents a drastic step, because it means he will have to take the helm immediately. Won't that be difficult? “I expect not. I have a lot of experience with store sales and with measuring on location. In addition, I have extensive technical knowledge and I also know my way around when it comes to assembly. I have even taught assembly courses.” The takeover is also a big step for Dennis Nijenhuis“ home life. ”However, my wife and two children are right behind the decision and my wife is going to assist me in the administrative area," Nijenhuis said.

For Henk Buitink it is quite a reassurance that Buitink Deventer will be continued in a professional and reliable way. Sister Marian Derksen-Buitink, who fulfills all kinds of tasks in the showroom in Deventer, continues to work there. The assembly staff will also remain with the company. “I have every confidence in Dennis and am convinced that he will expand the business even further,” Henk Buitink concludes. “For advice I will of course remain available as usual and I wish him all the success in the world!”