MEMBER NEWS: Strohm scales up senior team following plant investment

March 9, 2023
MEMBER NEWS: Strohm scales up senior team following plant investment

Strohm, the world’s first and leading producer of Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP), has announced three senior appointments as it gears up for further growth after tripling its production capacity at its facility in The Netherlands.

Sjoerd Verhoef has joined Strohm as project director; Mathieu Feisthauer has entered the company as business development manager of Europe; and Hubert Brinkhuis has moved up the ranks to become operations director.

The organisation has been on a recruitment drive since late last year to support its current growth, with approximately 50 positions opened following its largest capex investment to date, which has increased its TCP manufacturing capacity threefold to meet growing demand. In the last few months, the company has seen its global order book strengthened with significant hydrogen and offshore wind projects awarded, as well as new oil and gas campaigns. It now has the capabilities to produce 140km of its lightweight, corrosion-resistant TCP technology per year.

In his previous roles, Verhoef supported the aviation and aerospace industry as GKN Fokker’s chief engineer, leading the design and production of wing movables. This follows nearly a decade of leadership positions at the company, working across locations and activities around the globe.

As the new project director, he takes over the mantle from Hubert Brinkhuis, who has stepped up into the role of operations director.

After a successful five years as part of Strohm’s leadership team, Brinkhuis has delivered a multitude of global projects for major industry players. In his new role, he will continue to support the wider Strohm team in the delivery of quality and dependable TCP technology across the energy sector.

The other new face to join the team of pipeline solution experts, Mathieu Feisthauer brings a wide breadth of experience following nearly two decades operating within the maritime sector. He previously held a leadership position with a non-profit organisation, developing and scaling technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.

Martin van Onna, CEO of Strohm, said: “As we continue to support the energy sector with our expert technology and valuable subject matter experts, Sjoerd and Mathieu are a welcome addition to the Strohm team. Having also worked alongside Hubert over the past half-decade and seen first-hand his excellent contribution to the success of the business, his promotion is very well deserved.

“Attracting and retaining talent is one of our focus areas. With a variety of different industry experiences under Sjoerd, Mathieu and Hubert’s belts, we look forward to leveraging their complementary set of skills to maximise our offering to the energy market.”

Verhoef, Brinkhuis and Feisthauer are all based at Strohm’s head office in the port town of IJmuiden, near Amsterdam.

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