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In the picturesque town of Udenhout in Brabant, where you would not expect to find a leading player in access technology, you will find the innovative RDA. Here, people work with a heart for technology and for each other. One of them is René van Hoof (55), who has been part of the close-knit team with visible pleasure since April 2024.

From Yugoslavia to Japan: a world of experience

René's career reads like a technical road trip through Europe, America and Asia. After studying Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and military service in Yugoslavia - where he was not only driver and aggregate mechanic, but also bar commissioner of the local pub - he began an impressive resume.

“I worked in livestock ventilation systems, traveled across America ... and finally ended up at RDA after a simple search on Google Maps,” René says with a smile. "I saw ‘RDA’ listed and thought, hey, I know them! I once had an overhead door with operator from them in my garage."

Learning by doing

At RDA, René started out as a technical employee of switch cabinets. He now works in the service department. Not because he was hired to do so, but because he was curious enough to take the initiative himself. "I didn't know the products well and asked if I could answer the service phone. Through customers' questions, I learned them naturally. That's typical RDA: you get the space here to figure things out for yourself."

The space to learn is something that typifies René as an employee, but also as a person. "If you work here, you have to be willing to learn something new every day. You actually get the chance to do that."

No frills, just nice work

What makes working at RDA so enjoyable? René doesn't have to think long about it: “Independence, freedom and sociability.” And that can be felt on the shop floor. "There is a healthy energy in the working atmosphere. You feel trust. And there is always time for a joke - yes, I am notorious for my shenanigans."

Yet it's not just the atmosphere that appeals to René. It's also the relationships he builds with customers. "When a mechanic calls and says, ‘Because of your help I was able to go home earlier today,’ then I'm really proud. That's when you know your work matters."

Culture with character

RDA is not a factory where you are one link in an endless chain. Here everything is about people, craftsmanship and cooperation. “It's a small team,” says René, "but one in which a lot is possible. There is room to make something beautiful. We look at things lightheartedly and down-to-earth, which works well."

He describes that culture as informal, open and flexible. "Sometimes it's busy, sometimes quiet. But you never know what your day will bring. That keeps it fun."

His tip to future colleagues? "Be open to learning. And be yourself. Because at RDA, you get the space to be just that."

Looking for new colleagues

Are you as passionate as René? At RDA we are looking for new colleagues! People who want to learn, who can work independently, are approachable and enjoy being part of a team where freedom and trust are key. Take a look at the vacancies and discover what your future looks like between switch boxes, smart systems and even smarter colleagues.