Our emigration representative in Sweden: Remco
Remco van der Pol has recently become the face of De Jong Removals in Sweden. Because he emigrated to Sweden himself several years ago, he is the perfect link for our company to ensure that all relocations run smoothly. That’s why he now introduces himself to you.
The step to Sweden
How did you end up in Sweden?
“Almost 20 years ago, I started working at DB Schenker (an international transport company). There, I was a planner for Sweden and Finland. That’s mainly how my love for Sweden began. During that time, I built up many contacts. When I was there for work, I mostly saw cities and industrial areas. Still, even back then, the country of Sweden and its people already appealed to me.”
It still took a while before you moved to Sweden permanently. Why?
“I felt like I had put Sweden behind me for a while. Still, shortly after our first son was born, I visited the Emigration Fair to gather information. In the end, we didn’t dare to take the step. For both families, the birth of our son meant their first grandchild. Moving abroad at that moment felt like too much to ask of the grandparents, haha.”
Emigrating with his family
When did you finally take the step?
“In the spring of 2020, we both felt that it was now or never. You can keep dreaming and making long-term plans forever, but we really wanted to take the step then. COVID did throw a wrench in the works, so our move was postponed. Eventually, we emigrated to Sweden in December 2021.”
Did you have to convince your wife?
“At first, yes. She wasn’t very enthusiastic initially. But when I brought it up again in 2020, she quickly came around. Both children were enthusiastic as well—they wanted to move as soon as possible. During our last holiday, our son only wanted to go back for his PlayStation, haha.”
Where and how do you live exactly?
“My ‘postage stamp’ is one hectare in size and is located near the village of Ekshärad. It’s a kind of small settlement with fourteen houses spread over several hundred hectares of land. In the village, I have a lovely home with land around it. I have a vegetable garden there, which is still developing now that the frost has only recently left the ground. I also have a chicken caravan, which serves as the chickens’ night shelter. During the day, they roam freely across the property. The children go to school about a 20-minute drive away. That’s also where the nearest shop and gas station are located.”
What makes Sweden so special?
“That’s actually the standard reason why many people move here: peace, nature, and space. Life here is much more relaxed compared to the hustle and chaos of the Netherlands. It’s nice to live at your own pace. Another important factor for us was the Swedish education system. In the Netherlands, my daughter struggled to keep up at school, and we invested a lot of time into that. Here, it’s different. The system isn’t necessarily better, but it suits our children better. That’s why we didn’t want to wait too long with making the decision.
Together with my wife Marjon, my son Joël (14), and my daughter Lieke (11), we now live very much from season to season. You really adapt your life to it—spending much more time indoors during winter and enjoying the outdoors in spring and summer.”
In touch with De Jong Verhuizingen
When did you get in touch with De Jong Verhuizingen?
“I have a background in transport and was occasionally hired as a moving assistant in Sweden. I really enjoyed it, and as a transport planner, I started to see opportunities. I decided to start my own business, purchasing transport capacity and organizing shipments myself. That’s how I got in touch with Maurits, and I started buying and selling more transport services. I also handled the planning and organization of relocations.
Last year, I was hired by De Jong Verhuizingen for the first time as a self-employed contractor. Maurits and I worked on a job together, and it clicked right away—just like before when we already had contact. Later, the three of us (together with Peter and Maurits) had video calls, during which I explained the opportunities I saw in Sweden.”
What were those opportunities exactly?
“There are ways to make relocation times more efficient. Through those conversations, we found common ground. People here also know me through my own company. By combining my transport solutions with the strength of De Jong Removals, it becomes a win-win situation.”
Examples of work
What kind of work do you do?
“I mainly work as a planner and mover with a van combination. In addition, I handle part of the sales. As I mentioned, I’m well known here in the moving and transport sector. When a transport solution is needed, I can respond quickly, together with De Jong Verhuizingen.”
Can you give an example?
“With the De Jong Verhuizingen van, I can handle and transport smaller-volume relocations here. If drivers of international trucks have a smaller move, I collect the household goods with the van and transport them myself. That way, the truck doesn’t have to make a 200-kilometer detour. Much more practical and efficient.
I can do all kinds of driving, but I’m mainly a planner—that’s my original profession. I really enjoy that, and it suits me well. I’m convinced there are many opportunities to make the work here more efficient. That also creates more flexibility in international planning and helps boost the brand awareness of De Jong Verhuizingen in the surrounding provinces. I really enjoy brainstorming about this with Maurits. We both see the opportunities to put this company even more firmly on the map in Sweden.”
