Gerrald Verbeek: from workshop to project management

Branche: Bulk handling, Cargo, Shipbuilding, Specials

“Bringing our people together in a positive way through their work—that’s what I’m fully committed to!”

Gerrald Verbeek, Project Manager at DROMEC

Says Gerrald Verbeek, Project Manager at DROMEC. With his strong organizational skills and warm personality, he is growing into this new role within DROMEC. Gerrald is the connecting link within the company and the central point of contact for customers, which makes him perfectly suited to his role as Project Manager. In this process, he is guided by Gerard Lak – an experienced coach who, as an interim, makes a valuable contribution to the entire team.

From workshop to project management

Gerrald’s roots lie in engineering. After his time at Hoeflon compact cranes, he found his place at DROMEC, where he developed over five and a half years from Workshop Technician to Project Manager. “At DROMEC, I was given a lot of challenges and responsibility. I literally started with my hands in grease and gradually grew into this role. It all happened very naturally,” he explains.

“During those years, not only did my role change, but the dynamics of the work evolved as well. Winch building is a fantastic profession, and both the pace and the volume of work have increased significantly.”

Core quality: calmness and approachability

What characterizes Gerrald is his calm and modest personality. With his open and fresh demeanor, he is easily approachable for everyone within DROMEC. These qualities make him especially strong in his connecting role. Internally, he has a good relationship with almost everyone—an essential foundation for ensuring projects run smoothly.

The role of Project Manager

As a Project Manager, Gerrald oversees the entire process. “As soon as a project is sold, we start with a kick-off meeting. Together, we align on what the winch system will look like and how it fits into the planning. For more complex projects, I take over from there.” From that moment on, he is responsible for coordinating areas such as control systems, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, documentation, and internal communication.

“My task is to maintain an overview of the planning, monitor the process, and keep the customer continuously informed. That builds trust and provides structure.”

Coordinating, switching, and thinking ahead

“Sometimes a customer has additional requests during the process, and you prepare an extra quotation, while at the same time staying focused on the timeline.” What gives him the most energy? “Continuously searching for solutions throughout the process. Every project comes with its challenges, and you work with different people. Thanks to my experience in the workshop, I can identify early on where we can optimize.”

Working internationally: the Blommaert project

One of the first projects Gerrald took on as Project Manager immediately brought him to Brazil. “Many Blommaert hatch covers there operate on outdated DROMEC winch systems. We are working on optimizing them.” Together with the Blommaert team, he replaced and tested four newly developed prototypes on two barges. “Supervising such a project in practice is incredibly valuable. You immediately see how the systems perform and can bring that knowledge back to the team.” Back in the Netherlands, the project is being further rolled out, with 180 new systems being built. “You really get to know the customer. That personal contact greatly helps in building a strong, long-term relationship – something we highly value at DROMEC.”

Frequently asked questions

What does Gerrald Verbeek do as Project Manager at DROMEC?

As Project Manager, Gerrald oversees the full process. After a project is sold, he helps start the kick-off, aligns the winch system setup with the planning, and coordinates areas such as control systems, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, documentation, and internal communication.

How did Gerrald grow within DROMEC?

Over five and a half years, Gerrald developed from Workshop Technician to Project Manager. That growth happened step by step and was closely linked to the increasing responsibility and challenges he was given within DROMEC.

Why is his workshop background valuable?

His workshop experience helps him identify practical optimization opportunities early in the process. That makes him strong in connecting hands-on technical insight with project coordination.

What was the Blommaert project about?

The Blommaert project involved replacing and testing four newly developed prototypes on two barges in Brazil. After that practical test phase, the project continued in the Netherlands with the rollout of 180 new systems.

What characterizes Gerrald in his role?

Gerrald is characterized by calmness, accessibility, and strong organizational skills. That combination makes him an important internal connecting link and a reliable point of contact for customers during complex projects.