Macada Innovision – the new generation is in charge

On Friday, December 20, Maurits, Nel and Jan Willem Willenbroek signed the deed of transfer. After 2.5 years of working and collaborating, Maurits will officially be the director-owner of Macada Innovision BV starting January 1, 2025. Has the (relatively long) transition period helped Maurits to prepare for his new role? Will there be more changes at Macada? And if so, what will Macada's customers notice? Time for an interview with the founders and the new generation.

Training period
Maurits could not have guessed that his training period would last 2.5 years. “I assumed it would take a few months, but getting to know the company really well took much more time,” he says. “Also because, in addition to mastering all existing components, I was working on innovation and business development. My parents often had to get used to my new ideas and plans. So yes, that all just takes time and it's good that we took that time.”
Jan Willem and Nel underline that it took some getting used to – a third person in their business. But they are happy with how things went. Jan Willem: “I was used to always solving technical challenges on my own, now we do that together and I wouldn't want it any other way.” “It has actually become more and more fun,” says Nel. “Because you know you don't have to do it alone anymore. And we are happy with the knowledge and experience that Maurits has brought to the table in the field of precision work and engineering.”

 

Which doesn't change
Will much change at Macada with Maurits at the helm? What he himself emphasizes: the way of working will remain the same. “The success of Macada, as my parents realized it, has everything to do with our core values. I have been taught these from an early age and they will not change: listening to the customer, being open and honest, thinking along and being flexible. Quality always comes first. Delivering something that is not quite right simply doesn't feel right to us.”
A lot has changed in the AV market over the years. Just think of the growing demand for cheap projection screens and the growing number of suppliers who responded. This was the reason for Macada to focus on supplying specialist and customized projection screens. “Make customers happy with special products, things that you don't just have on the shelf,” says Jan Willem. At the same time, Macada set up a second production line for special glass and mirror products. Both production lines – the specialist projection screens and glass & mirror products – form the lasting basis for Macada. Now and in the future.

 

Product development
One change that has already been initiated is the further professionalization of the company. Various machines have already been purchased recently - mainly for the production of mirrors & glass - and these investments will continue. Maurits wants to automate more, from administration, accounting and the quality system, to the technical parts of the company whenever possible. 
In addition, since joining Macada, he has been working on the development of a new business unit: the product development department. This offer is particularly interesting for Macada customers who order mirrors & glass for installation in specific constructions or devices. Consider, for example, camera or laser tracking systems. “Such a customer has an idea about that installation and we can think along with it,” says Maurits. “We ask questions such as: where does that glass or mirror come in, is a frame or holder needed, how do you ensure that it does not break during installation, does it also contain a camera and how do you ensure a strong and stable connection? For us, product development always starts with customer demand. What we as a manufacturing company have to offer is that we not only think along with them, but can usually also make it for them.”

 

Moment of transfer
Back to the end of December 2024. Signing the signatures is a special moment for all three. “We slowly grew towards it,” say Nel and Jan Willem, “it was certainly a bit emotional, but that's also a good thing. This is how it should be, this is the future of the company.”
At the time of signing, Maurits is very aware of how lucky he is. “Without my parents I would never have had this opportunity, I would not have been able to start my own business at this age. With a company of this size right away. At that moment I mainly thought 'I really want to make this a success'.”

 

Just a little longer: Team Macada
And now? Will Nel and Jan Willem let things go from now on? It makes them laugh: “Well, no, some people may think that, but that is not the intention yet. We are now turning the tables: Maurits takes the lead and we work in the background. We don't know how long, but customers will certainly see and speak to us in the coming months.”
Maurits: “For the time being, the three of us will indeed continue to work together for a while. I still have to implement my plans for further automation. Only when all these scenarios have been completed and all systems are working properly my parents will decide for themselves when exactly they will phase out. So we'll stay for a while: Team Macada.”