Meet Karel
our Business Digital Officer

My name is Karel Deurloo, and I am 54 years old and born in the Netherlands. For 2,5 year ago I started a new position as Business Digital Officer at the sales organization Bosch Rexroth Europe North in Denmark. I can say that this is the most fun position I ever had.

How did your journey lead you to your current position in the company?

My 28-year journey with Bosch Rexroth began with an internship in Canada, leading to an Inventory Management role. After returning to the Netherlands and a stint with Philips, I rejoined Bosch Rexroth and was fortunate to join the SAP R/3 implementation team. This experience helped paving the way to becoming Logistics Manager for the entire Country Unit, where I spearheaded projects like a new highly automated warehouse and implementing a Lean Distribution strategy to reduce lead-times with higher efficiency.

Later, as Manager Supply Chain and Service Parts in Lohr, Germany, I balanced challenging work with weekend commutes, achieving significant successes like a Logistics Award and a boosted EBIT. This role also built my valuable German network. Wishing to return to the Netherlands full-time, I became a project manager for the global SAP Field Service Management pilots and rollout, a successful and engaging project. I also navigated a major IT project during a company sale in Boxtel, completing it under immense pressure.

Now, with our children independent, my wife and I embraced a new adventure. I found my current role as Business Digital Officer at DCEN in Denmark. Selling our house and moving, I can honestly say this is the most fun position I've ever had.

Can you describe your role and responsibilities within the company? What do you enjoy most about your job?

As Business Digital Officer, I drive digital transformation by developing and implementing strategies that leverage technology to improve business processes and align with our overall objectives. My extensive experience across various functions, deep product knowledge, expertise in SAP ECC and other applications, and strong network within Bosch Rexroth are crucial enablers in this role. It's truly the most fun I've ever had, a joy amplified by the supportive Danish/Scandinavian culture and my colleagues.

Contribution:

My contribution lies in defining our digital strategy and making it concrete through projects and initiatives, while attracting and supporting talented staff. We're building a sustainable approach to digital transformation across the region, scaling best practices, and constantly pushing for improvements in all business functions to boost customer satisfaction and create effective, efficient processes

Outside of work, what are some of your passions or hobbies? How do you balance your personal interests with your professional life?

Beyond work, I'm renovating a recently bought house near the Danish sea and enjoy weekly padel with colleagues. Though I miss the dog walks and nature, I'm embracing Scandinavian work culture – more relaxed, trusting, and respectful – from my Dutch roots.

Proud Achievement:

Of many proud Rexroth achievements, the recent company carve-out stands out. Outsourcing a warehouse and migrating a new company to SAP ECC in just 8 months was a massive team effort and my biggest accomplishment to date.

Can you share a personal or professional achievement that you are particularly proud of?

I am fortunate to have many proud moments and achievements within the Rexroth company. Each with fantastic colleagues and work friends. However, the recent accomplishment with the company carve-out (outsourcing the warehouse and migration of new company to SAP ECC in 8 months) was certainly the biggest.

How do you interact with customers or partners in your role? What do you find most rewarding about these interactions?

As a business professional, I prioritize communication, respect, and a collaborative culture. These aren't just values; they're the critical foundation for driving change and impact. While I'm known for talking a lot, I strive to cultivate a culture of trust and openness, balancing it with a clear demand for contribution and energy.

Memorable Impact:

My memorable impact often comes from my ability to identify key targets, define critical aspects, and create a structured approach that brings undeniable value and clarity to customers, partners, and the organization. This clarity is paramount; it removes ambiguity, fosters genuine cooperation, and is, unequivocally, a major factor for success

What do you value most about the company´s culture? How does the team collaborate to achieve common goals?

I'm fortunate to lead a diverse team, both internationally and in age. This powerful mix combines youthful energy, fresh ideation, and invaluable experience. With a structured approach that clearly highlights our priorities, we consistently drive action. Fundamentally, this success hinges on the deep level of trust and respect embedded in our company culture.