One milestone, three stories

Today, our jubilarians enjoy the mix of young and experienced colleagues, the freedom their job gives them, and the satisfaction of what they’ve built along the way. In this article, they reflect on a quarter-century filled with projects and personal achievements.

Siem-Jan Lievense – Lead Engineer

Hardly any experience in shipbuilding… But after a job interview – in a pub, of all places – Siem-Jan suddenly found himself helping to set up a maritime engineering firm. Alongside Etienne Van Goeye and Johan and Adrie Cijsouw, he co-founded Pharos Engineering, a company in Vlissingen that later merged with MULTI.engineering.

“Fax machines, one computer with internet for the whole team, and project meetings around the kitchen table – it was a different time. If you wanted to collaborate in a software program, you had to send your work on tapes by post.

We were constantly running around for clients. And in those early years, I also managed the company’s finances and admin tasks. I often stayed awake at night because of it. Luckily, now I can see things in a much clearer perspective and enjoy the variety that the job offers. The great thing about MULTI.engineering is that I’ve always had the chance to help design many different types of vessels.”

Proud of: countless successful projects, and the beautiful office building in Vlissingen.
Motto: “Take it easy – no ship has ever been left ashore.”

Sabine Baecke – Support Manager Maritime & Offshore, Prevention Advisor

Sabine describes her younger self as “nervous and naïve, but also determined.” “I still had to learn everything – even how a fax machine worked. But thanks to the friendly atmosphere, I immediately felt at home. And without realizing it, I was also ambitious: I always grabbed every opportunity that came my way.”

Twenty-five years ago, Sabine was the only woman in the office, surrounded by colleagues in their forties and fifties. “Luckily, over the years, many female colleagues have joined the team. Circumstances have changed – with lots of people working from home, for example – but the contact has always remained good. I love that the younger generation also finds each other to play padel or darts after work.”

Over the years, Sabine developed expertise in payroll and HR. “We evolved from simple paper payslips to complex cross-border employment setups. That brought big challenges with it. Today I’m also a prevention advisor, and I’m closely involved in our company’s sustainability journey.”

Proud of: the challenging but successful transition to split payroll for employees working in the Netherlands, and my contribution to the maritime team.
Motto: “Keep growing, keep an open mind to new things that come your way.”

Adrie Cijsouw – Team Leader and Site director Vlissingen

Adrie began his career as a welding technician. However, a torn football knee forced him to work behind a desk as a work planner. By chance, he met Etienne and Siem-Jan, with whom he would co-found an engineering firm in 2000. “Pharos Engineering was our own company, so I felt responsible for it. We worked incredibly hard, six days a week, because we wanted it to succeed at all costs. And that didn’t change when we became part of MULTI.engineering.”

Adrie saw clients change names and owners, and colleagues arrive from all corners of the world. “It’s not always easy managing people with different backgrounds. It definitely took some getting used to. But I just really enjoy my job, with all its variety. I hope I can keep doing this until I retire.”

Proud of: our first projects and clients, and my role in establishing the new office.
Motto: “Don’t let yourself go crazy – in the end, things work out. Or they don’t.”