On August 4th, BAEKEN celebrates its 2nd anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, founders Wilco, Wesley, and Pieter reflect on the journey from a bold idea to a team of 28 people. In this article, Pieter shares his personal highlights and insights.

“When we founded BAEKEN, I had one clear dream: to become the most qualitative service provider in project controls in the region. I was convinced that – especially in the Netherlands – there was room for a company that not only meets expectations, but consistently excels.

So far, focusing on quality at every level—whether it’s the expertise we bring, the coaching we provide to junior colleagues, or the way we ensure our clients receive the best possible solutions—has truly paid off.

Growing smartly through technology and conscious choices

What sets us apart is our proactive approach to new technologies. If we discover a tool that can help our clients move forward – such as Oracle Primavera Cloud – we invest the time and energy to truly understand it and train our team in it. From the outside, it may seem like our main focus is to grow the business quickly, but internally we remain firmly rooted in quality. In 2024, we even decided to pause recruitment for nine months so we could evolve from a start-up mentality into a mature, well-oiled organization. Looking back, that was one of the best decisions we’ve made.

Creating impact through meaningful work

But BAEKEN is about more than delivering outstanding project work. We also want to make a positive impact on society. That’s why we deliberately choose clients and projects that do good, that give our people a sense of pride and accomplishment, and that contribute to solving real challenges.

Diversity as a source of strength

Our management team plays a central role in who we are. We differ in background, style, and perspective, which sometimes leads to spirited discussions. This makes collaboration challenging at times: it requires patience, listening, and the willingness to let go of your own ideas. Yet it is precisely this diversity that drives us forward. By questioning and challenging each other, we make better decisions, find more creative solutions, and stay sharp – and that is what truly underpins our success. It ensures that BAEKEN is not defined by any one individual, but built on a solid foundation powered by many perspectives.

Looking ahead, one thing is certain: no matter how far we go, we will remain true to our core values – social, thorough, analytical, and forward-thinking. In everything we do, we strive for quality. Whether it’s guiding young professionals, delivering top-level work for clients, or helping to raise the quality standards within our clients’ organizations, we never settle for “good enough.” We do it right – and we do it efficiently.”