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Interview
Shaping the future of heat transfer
Jeroen van Ruitenbeek at World Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition . Image courtesy of Kapp Nederland .
Kapp Nederland begins a transformative chapter with the appointment of Jeroen van Ruitenbeek as Managing Director . With a robust career spanning over 20 years in the heat exchanger sector , Jeroen brings unparalleled expertise and a vision for innovation to this pivotal role .
By Iryna Mukha , Heat Exchanger World
How would you describe Kapp to those unfamiliar with the company ? At Kapp , we specialize in designing and supplying heat exchangers . What makes us unique is our role as a distributor rather than a manufacturer . We focus on thermal design while our partners , including well-known names like Kelvion , Thermon , Vahterus , HRS Heat Exchangers , Nexson group and others , handle production . This collaboration allows us to maintain a broad portfolio and offer solutions that are tailor-made for our clients . Our operations primarily serve the Benelux region , with occasional projects extending into Germany and beyond . With a team of 16 , including eight chemical / heat transfer and process engineers , we take pride in providing independent , customer-focused solutions . Our goal is to add value for both clients and manufacturing partners by offering effective , cost-efficient designs while also delivering market intelligence to drive innovation .
What brought you to this leadership position ? It ’ s serendipitous that my promotion coincides with my 20th anniversary in the heat exchanger industry . I started in 2005 at Bronswerk Heat Transfer in the Netherlands , where I wore many hats in sales , management , and design . After nine years , I transitioned to Shell to work in LNG and heat transfer , but it wasn ’ t the right fit for me . So , I returned to Bronswerk as Sales Director before joining Kapp in 2021 . At Kapp , I focused on business development , particularly in emerging energy markets like hydrogen , ammonia , and carbon capture . My technical background and hands-on experience in customer-facing roles prepared me for this next step , where I can guide the company strategically while continuing to collaborate with our excellent team .
What ’ s your approach to leading Kapp ’ s team ? Kapp ’ s strength lies in its people , and I see my role as enabling them to perform at their best . We operate with a high level of trust and autonomy — there ’ s no micromanagement here . Our culture has always encouraged responsibility and initiative , which has worked exceptionally well for a small team like ours . My philosophy is simple : create an environment where everyone feels empowered to make decisions that benefit the company and our clients .
20 Heat Exchanger World February 2025 www . heat-exchanger-world . com