CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT TERRITORY
Anyone who works at EMR Amsterdam – or visits to buy or sell material – will quickly discover that operating at the beating heart of the facility is one woman: Chantal van Zanten.
While Chantal’s official role at EMR Amsterdam is Office Manager, she accepts that it doesn’t truly reflect the wide-ranging position she has at the facility. Chantal contributes to everything from planning for the arrival of boats at EMR’s port facility to the writing up of contracts with key customers. “When needed, I can also jump onto the weighbridge and operate that,” she adds.
It's a broad range of skills and knowledge for someone who never expected to work in the metal recycling industry:
“When I started here, almost 26 years ago, I didn't have a clue about what metal recycling was, but I really enjoyed learning about everything from managing the amounts of material we process to the prices we need to set for our customers.
“Over the years I’ve got to work across the different areas of the business and gain an understanding of the journey material takes from when it arrives at our sites all the way to being sent on to our customers.”
The opportunities Chantal has had at EMR to experience so many elements of the business – and gain a wide range of skills – is one of the reasons she initially applied to join.
“When I left school, I studied for an administration diploma and started working as a secretary. I didn’t enjoy it very much as once you learned the role and responsibilities that was it. A friend recommended applying for a job at EMR and it was completely different. Suddenly I was talking to the truck drivers, seeing what was happening on the yard and working with colleagues in every department – it was great.”
While Chantal began as one of the few women working in the industry when she first joined, this has slowly changed over the years – with a little help from her family.
“My niece joined EMR when she was 19 and I wasn’t sure it was the right job for her, as you have to work hard and start at 6am every day. We talked it through, and she said she would try it for a few weeks – she’s now been here for five years.”
And Chantal’s niece isn’t the only family member to find success working at EMR:
“My son started working here almost a year ago. He’s a good example of the opportunities available to young people here because he started with no experience but was given a chance, worked hard and now operates a crane.”
While EMR is a global business, with sites across the UK, EU and USA, its culture is deeply influenced by the fact that it is owned, run and was founded by one family. Chantal sees echoes of this story in her own experience at EMR:
“Everybody at EMR Amsterdam – and throughout the company – really looks out for each other. I have two members of my family working here, but it also feels like I’m part of a wider family at EMR - where everybody supports one another.”
And, as with any family, Chantal hopes the work she does today will leave a lasting legacy.
“Whether it’s recycling metals and plastics or processing end-of-life vehicles, everything EMR does is focused on increasing sustainability and developing the circular economy. It is great to know that every day we work here is creating a better, greener planet for the future.”
Read about other people who make EMR a great place to work, learn about our culture and values, or see our latest vacancies.
