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Take a look back... 12.5 years of customer service with Glenn Briët at BF Global

You spent nearly 12½ years at BF Global, but your career began much earlier. Take us back to the start.
Glenn: “I started in 1983 at Lekkerland, working twenty years in confectionery distribution. When the company merged into Best, I couldn’t relocate because of family. In 1998 I moved to RoadAir Transport, where I had the chance to learn the full transport trade under three great mentors; Arend Meijer, Cees Veldstra, and Fons Verbunt. They taught me the ins and outs of domestic distribution, import, and export.”

How did the organisation develop from there?
Glenn: “Under Fons Verbunt, we shifted from a strict hierarchy to teamwork. Customer Service and Account Management were brought together, and that model later became the foundation for BF Global—an efficient set-up with clear ownership.”

Acquisitions followed, too. How did you experience those changes?
Glenn: “Around 2005–2008, Rhenus acquired RoadAir. Much stayed the same, but ownership changed. When Fons moved to Cargopartner he asked me to join. We were reunited with Arend and Cees—the old team. With a small, efficient group we built a strong customer portfolio including Vescom, Omron and Calvin Klein. That was the starting point of BF Global.”

What made your role at BF Global special?
Glenn: “I focused on the ‘tough’ customers—the cases with friction. I see the job as the lubricant between operations and the client. It takes diplomacy, but it creates long-term relationships. Key accounts received personal attention, while smaller customers were supported efficiently. Keeping that balance was a challenge I enjoyed.”

How would you describe the company culture?
Glenn: “Professional, but personal. Fons encouraged an open, direct culture. Of course we had disagreements, but we solved them the same day. Respect and collegiality have always been there.”

What about customer communication—has that changed a lot?
Glenn: “We used to pick up the phone and fix issues quickly. These days people often choose WhatsApp or email, which can slow things down. My advice remains: just call. It’s faster, more personal, and prevents misunderstandings.”

How are you experiencing retirement?
Glenn: “After fifty years of work, not getting up at 6:30 took some getting used to. But I’m enjoying my grandchildren, a Reiki course, and fishing. I’ve always cherished close connections, and I’ll keep seeking that—being with people gives me energy.”

Looking back, what feeling dominates?
Glenn: “Pride. Together with the ‘three musketeers’ we built something strong; from RoadAir to BF Global. There’s always room to improve, but above all, there’s trust. It’s good, it’s beautiful, and it will stay.”

Glenn’s three takeaways

1. Team over titles: connect Customer Service with Account Management and make ownership clear.

2. Be the bridge: act as the link between client and operations; calm communication, clear agreements.

3. Call first: a phone call can save days of back-and-forth messages.

Thank you, Glenn

BF Global thanks Glenn for his dedication, craftsmanship, and the relationships he nurtured with customers and colleagues. Enjoy your next chapter, you’ll always be part of the BF Global story!