Johan Boonstra (56) runs a general partnership (VOF) with his brother; the business is a continuation of what his father once started. They have four lorries, three of which drive for NVO. His father started working for NVO in 1988 and has remained with the company ever since. Johan himself has been driving a light goods vehicle (LZV) for the past four months.

‘The great thing about NVO is that you don’t have to chase anything up yourself; everything is sorted for you. Take the diesel clauses, for example – everything is simply well organised. And return loads too – I never have to worry about whether I’ll be driving back with a full load.’

Johan is very impressed with NVO’s dispatchers. It’s actually very rare that he has to wait abroad for return freight. The timing always works out well. ‘I prefer to drive general cargo; with more stops, there’s more of an adventure to it, and you’re soon back on the road to pick up a load somewhere else. And more stops also mean more earnings.’

Johan has no preference for the type of load, as long as it’s on a pallet – that’s the easiest.‘When I load in Zuidbroek, everything goes into the trailer in the order it was unloaded. On the road, I usually use forklift trucks on site, especially if I have to load from the side. But I always carry a hand pallet truck with me as well.

Unloading doesn’t always take place at a company’s premises; we often unload insulation at building sites, for example. You sometimes end up in unusual places – I remember, for instance, a trip to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. It’s where Father Christmas lives; I had to pick up some parcels ;-).

On the road, I usually eat at truckers’ restaurants. You can get good food in Sweden. You don’t have that in Denmark; more and more motorway service stations are closing there. So I often take something from home and heat it up in the microwave in my van. But I do prefer to pop out for a bit. Just like on a ferry – you sleep in a cabin, not in your van.’

Do you have any tips for drivers? ‘Absolutely: if you’re a self-employed driver who just wants to drive and can’t be bothered with hassle, then NVO is the answer. Whether times are good or bad, NVO always makes sure I can drive!’