DAF perhaps the largest technical playground in the region
What goes on behind DAF’s gates? What do those thousands of employees do there? Just how high-tech is DAF, really? These are questions many people in the region have. That is why the company is taking part in the High-Tech Ontdekkingsroute on 13 June. It’s an opportunity to look back, assess the current situation and look ahead.
There are bedrooms in the Netherlands covered in DAF scarves and caps, and living rooms full of display cabinets with miniature trucks. ‘We’re one of the few tech companies with a real fanbase,’ laughs Jaap Hoogveld. He is the recruitment & employer branding manager at DAF. Sometimes he notices that people’s image of DAF is still a bit outdated. ‘Few people realise that we have sustainability and cybersecurity experts, Data & AI engineers and software specialists working here, as well as people with a deep understanding of finance.’ Anne Bressers, Labour Market Communications Specialist, adds: ‘We’d like to showcase the full breadth of our company during the High Tech Ontdekkingsroute. We’ll be displaying our electric trucks, but also showing how we develop the trucks from start to finish in Eindhoven. You’ll also see what’s under the cab and where we’re heading as an organisation.’
Sowing the seeds
Another important reason for taking part in the High Tech Ontdekkingsroute? Sowing the seeds among children and young people, as well as their parents and grandparents. Because finding new employees is a widely recognised challenge in the Brainport region, including for DAF. ‘As employers, we’re working together, because we understand that this isn’t something you can solve on your own. We need each other to thrive. And that includes raising awareness of technical careers, training people in the region, and bringing in people from outside. Otherwise, it’s going to be quite a challenge,’ says Jaap. DAF maintains close links with the education sector. ‘We recently set up a logistics vocational school with Summa, where students gain practical experience four days a week and receive theory lessons one day a week, all in-house at DAF. Our staff also regularly give guest lectures and we help develop teaching materials,’ says Anne. Jaap: ‘And that’s not even mentioning the 200 students who do work placements and/or graduate here every year.’
A journey through time
The company deliberately requires visitors to book in advance for the High Tech Ontdekkingsroute. ‘Safety is important to us. We want to know who is coming to visit DAF so that we can give everyone a proper tour,’ says Anne. These booked visitors embark on a journey through time, guided by DAF staff. According to Jaap, it’s never a problem to find staff to help. ‘What I often hear is that colleagues are proud of the company. On the one hand, because the end product is literally on the road: once you’ve got an eye for it, you see DAF everywhere. On the other hand, because people here experience a great deal of autonomy. The level of openness fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. Within your own field, you have the freedom to explore ideas and ask questions without feeling restricted. Engineers see DAF as a technical playground, where the latest high-tech developments are carried out based on the needs of the customer and the market. That fits in with our way of working: we don’t produce large series, but customer-specific trucks to order.’
Truck pulling
What’s on at the event on 13 June? The theme running through the day is a journey through time: from the early years of the Eindhoven-based family business to the latest award-winning electric truck. The past, the present and the future. Jaap: ‘There’s plenty to do and see. For example, try pulling a truck forwards and see just how incredibly heavy it is. Look under the cab of an electric truck and compare it with a diesel engine. View historic vehicles and see how DAF has developed over the decades. And for our youngest visitors: design your own truck.’
Special
The day is a success for the pair if visitors go home with a different view of DAF. ‘That they understand everything that goes into making a truck like this. And that they realise: it’s quite special that we have a company like this in our region!’
Want to sign up?
Would you like to visit DAF during the High Tech Ontdekkingsroute? You can sign up using the button below.
Sign up here for the High-Tech OntdekkingsrouteHigh Tech Ontdekkingsroute 2026
On Saturday 13 June, leading companies in the Brainport region will be opening their doors to the public. This will give everyone access to worlds that are normally off-limits.
Across the region, companies are joining forces to offer a wide-ranging programme packed with technology to discover and experience.
There is plenty to do for everyone, and certainly for children too: they can get hands-on, experiment and discover how technology works through play.
Visit DAF Trucks, High Tech Campus, Strijp-T, AAE, Automotive Campus, Thermo Fisher Scientific, ASML, VDL ETG, Microstad and the TU/e Campus.
