Looking back on 50 years of Vorex Logistics with Dennis Holstein and Mikai Vroom

Fifty years of Vorex Logistics. For Dennis Holstein and Mikai Vroom, this anniversary carries special significance. Earlier this year, they became the owners of the company where they both once started as employees. 

They are well-versed in the daily operations, having worked in various departments, and have witnessed firsthand how Vorex has evolved. Now, together, they are charting the company’s future path. For them, this anniversary carries both a professional and a personal significance. It reflects on what their predecessors built, the colleagues with whom they have worked for years, and the opportunity they now have to pursue their own entrepreneurial path. As Dennis puts it: “My ultimate dream is now taking shape.”

Two different paths to Vorex

When Dennis joined Vorex in 2007, he was deliberately seeking a smaller organization. Having previously worked at Frans Maas and DSV, he was already familiar with the company. He wanted more freedom to take on various roles and engage with a broader scope of work—a level of flexibility he found at Vorex, where he began as a planner for the United Kingdom.

“From the start, I had a flexible role that went beyond just planning,” he explains. Over the following years, he worked across several departments and eventually advanced to the management team. Throughout this time, his passion for the transport industry remained a constant. Having worked in so many different areas of the organization, he has a deep understanding of what it takes to get the job done on a daily basis.

Mikai first encountered Vorex in 2012, when he arrived for an introductory internship through a mutual acquaintance, former owner Jack Luijckx. Later, while studying at the Shipping and Transport College, he returned to complete his final internship. In 2015, he joined the forwarding department, where his responsibilities included warehousing, air freight, and sea freight.

Mikai, too, was given the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company. He worked across all departments and eventually secured a position on the management team. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs—with an inherent drive to take initiative and develop his own ideas—he found increasing scope to contribute to shaping the direction of Vorex.

Moments that truly mattered

The memories that have left the most lasting impression are not limited to the easy years. Dennis had only been with the company for a short time when the 2008 financial crisis struck. During this period, Vorex relocated to new premises in Dordrecht, even as economic conditions deteriorated. “We really had to bring out the best in ourselves just to make ends meet.”

It was an experience that taught him a great deal about the company and the people who worked there. Years later, Brexit brought another period of significant, simultaneous change—compounded by the COVID-19 crisis, which further upended daily operations.

Yet, both Dennis and Mikai speak of that time with a remarkable degree of appreciation. The pressure was immense, but so was the collective commitment to push forward together. Mikai recalls the early mornings and late nights: “No one knew exactly what was going to happen. As a team, we were figuring it out as we went along. Everyone was fully invested.”

Dennis echoes this sentiment: “Regardless of how intense the pressure became, we were determined to face it together. We were committed to finding a way to continue serving our clients and overcoming every challenge.” It was precisely under these circumstances that they realized how much they could rely on one another.

Brexit as a turning point

For both of them, Brexit stands out as one of the most significant turning points in the evolution of Vorex. While the new situation brought a host of questions and an increased workload, it also presented new opportunities. Vorex chose to invest in customs training, the expansion of its fleet, and the recruitment of additional staff. “While other companies stepped away from the work, we chose to lean in,” says Mikai. That decision continues to shape the organization today. Transport to the United Kingdom grew into a key pillar of the business, with customs clearance integrated into the service offering.

For the client, the value lies precisely in this combination. Transporting a pallet to the United Kingdom also means ensuring that the associated customs requirements are handled. By offering both services together, Vorex can take on more of the workload that would otherwise fall to the client.

Dennis views that period as a validation of the way Vorex operates. Staying flexible, seeking solutions, and ensuring that a shipment can keep moving, the Brexit era made it very clear what that entails. These were qualities already embedded within the company, and ones the team had to rely on while under immense pressure.

Knowing the company is one thing; being its owner is another

In 2022, discussions began regarding a potential transfer of shares. For Dennis and Mikai, this marked the start of a new phase, which ultimately led to their joint ownership earlier this year. Having both spent years helping to build Vorex, they were keen to continue their journey with greater scope to steer the company’s direction themselves.

Mikai recognized his own entrepreneurial drive in this process. “The desire to make one’s own choices, take the initiative, and develop one’s own ideas that drive is very much present.” Drawing on their experience within the company, he and Dennis intend to build upon the existing foundation while incorporating their own vision.

For Dennis, the acquisition felt like a logical next step in his career. While he had long been involved with Vorex, his position has now shifted. As a member of the management team, he was able to contribute ideas and exert influence; now, together with Mikai, he bears ultimate responsibility for the decisions made.

And that difference is greater than one might initially expect, Mikai notes. “You think you know the company well, but ownership changes everything. The responsibility for the business, our staff, and all stakeholders is immense—a reality that sometimes takes a moment to truly sink in.”

Dennis, too, is still discovering everything that ownership entails. The freedom to make decisions has expanded, accompanied by the realization that not every choice will necessarily turn out well. “There are bound to be some wrong decisions along the way. That’s simply part of the learning curve; every phase of my career has had moments like that.”

Commercial and operational aspects at the same table

Their partnership is built on a clear distinction in their areas of interest: Mikai focuses primarily on commercial matters and strategy, while Dennis concentrates on operations and IT. Financial matters concern both roles, while human resources are handled jointly. The exact division of responsibilities takes shape in practice, as tasks within an organization like Vorex often overlap.

Mikai appreciates how well Dennis understands the operations. He is well-versed in the solutions that can assist clients and invests a great deal of energy into the day-to-day work. Mikai also highlights Dennis’s attentiveness toward people as a key strength.

In turn, Dennis admires Mikai’s composure and his drive for continuous personal development. Their differing perspectives help them examine issues from multiple angles, yet they share a common outlook on many operational matters. This ensures they can rely on one another and present a unified approach to clients and partners.

A family atmosphere without being a family business

Both can pinpoint exactly what they wish to preserve. While Vorex is not a family business in the sense that the owners are related, a "family atmosphere" remains an essential part of the organization for Dennis. Knowing one another, truly seeing each other, and being willing to offer help—that, to him, is the foundation.

This is also what has kept Dennis connected to Vorex all these years. "That is precisely what made me look forward to coming to work every day." He believes this mutual commitment extends to the services provided; a team that supports one another is also better equipped to stand together for its clients.

Mikai sees this reflected in daily interactions. Anyone who calls or emails Vorex should reach people who are fully informed about what is happening. "You won’t end up in a 'black hole'." This personal approach places certain demands on the organization: information must be shared, and colleagues must remain engaged with one another’s work. Continued growth, with a focus on relationships

In a market where large logistics companies are increasingly merging, Dennis and Mikai see a distinct opportunity for the way Vorex operates. They prioritize accessibility, knowing their clients personally, and possessing the expertise required to act as a strategic partner. Over the past year, they have invested significant time in discussions with clients, suppliers, and partners.

Furthermore, they are refining the organization’s structure and IT systems. Mikai is exploring how AI and AI agents can assist with tasks that currently require extensive manual effort. This support is intended to function primarily behind the scenes; the company remains committed to maintaining personal contact with its clients.

From an operational perspective, Dennis is also focused on the financial pressures within the transport supply chain. He highlights trends such as fluctuating diesel prices and the costs associated with sustainability initiatives as key areas requiring attention—issues that affect both Vorex and its transport partners. Ultimately, these factors also impact clients, as rising costs are reflected in service rates.

Consequently, their future plans necessitate careful decision-making. Mikai speaks of "controlled growth"—an approach that remains mindful of employees, clients, and suppliers alike. For both, it is essential that the team stays engaged and that the company’s established way of working remains consistent as Vorex continues to evolve.

Fifty years to build upon

For Dennis, this anniversary is also an opportunity to express appreciation for the company’s previous owners. He mentions Mr. Voogd, who founded the business, as well as Mr. Luijckx and Mr. De Lange, who continued and expanded Vorex. Their efforts shaped Vorex into the company that is now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, and they provided Dennis and Mikai with the foundation to take the next step.

This makes the acquisition particularly meaningful for them. They are assuming responsibility for a company whose history they have partly experienced firsthand, alongside colleagues who are still with the firm today. They understand the level of dedication required for the company’s daily operations, having contributed to them personally for years across various roles.

When the conversation turns to the years ahead, both focus once again on the people around them. Dennis hopes to keep the team together and continue building together. Mikai wants to ensure that employees, clients, and suppliers continue to enjoy working with Vorex.

For Dennis, there is also a personal dimension. After nearly twenty years with the company, his ambition to become an entrepreneur in his own right is now taking shape. “I hope to add many more years to this—with the same level of enthusiasm, or perhaps even more.”