Our founders
The people
behind BYR.
Three founders. One shared ambition.
Three founders. One shared ambition.
The story behind BYR started with Youri and Rutger, who have known each other since they were four years old. Although they eventually followed very different paths, the idea of building something together had always been there in one form or another.
Rutger built his career in international logistics, while Youri came from the entrepreneurial side, with a strong interest in business, strategy and international trade. When the idea for BYR started taking shape, they quickly realised they did not want to build it with just the two of them. They wanted a third partner who brought additional experience, a different perspective and, just as importantly, someone they knew they could rely on.
Rutger immediately thought of Bram.
Rutger and Bram had worked closely together at a large logistics multinational and knew from experience that they worked well as a team. Bram brought his own strengths in complex international logistics, compliance, technology and operational systems. Together, Rutger and Bram now bring more than 15 years of experience in the logistics industry.
With the three of them together, the pieces started to fit naturally. Rutger brought the operational knowledge of freight forwarding and customs. Bram brought experience in complex logistics, compliance, systems and technology. Youri brought the entrepreneurial, financial and strategic side of the business, with a focus on growth and new markets.
Those different backgrounds became the foundation of BYR Logistics. What started with the idea of building something of their own grew into a company shaped by three people who each look at logistics from a different angle, but share the same ambition for where they want to take it.
Three different strengths, one company built together.
"Think global, act local, ship international."
I have always been interested in how businesses grow, how markets move and where new opportunities come from. Over time that interest grew into geopolitics and international trade. What happens on the other side of the world can have direct consequences for a company here within days. That connection between global events and daily business is something I find fascinating.
That is also what pulled me towards logistics. It is an international world where you speak with people from different countries and cultures every day, and where what is in the news is directly part of your work. Trade routes shift, new markets open up, regulations change. No two days are the same.
At BYR I focus on strategy, finance and commercial growth. Finding new clients, opening new markets and spotting the opportunities that let us keep building. I tend to look further ahead than what is on the desk today and spend a lot of time thinking about where we want to take BYR and how we get there.
What drives me most is curiosity and the contact with people. I love talking to people from all over the world, learning how different industries work and understanding what they need. That is one of the best parts of this job.
WhatsAppMy background is in international logistics with a strong focus on air freight. At my previous employer I was responsible for organising and handling military and defence related shipments, including both military goods and dual-use cargo.
This type of logistics is not standard freight forwarding. It involves export controls, strict licences, detailed documentation requirements and compliance at every single step. Mistakes have real consequences. Working in that environment taught me to look critically at what is actually required to move a shipment correctly and in line with the applicable regulations. That expertise is something I bring into everything we do at BYR.
What I find interesting about logistics is the combination of speed, responsibility and problem solving. No shipment is ever exactly the same. With more complex transports especially, you need to be able to act quickly without losing sight of the details. That is where I work best.
At BYR my focus is on the systems and processes behind our operation. A strong operation is not just good for us internally, it is what allows us to deliver a consistent level of service to our clients. I also focus heavily on technology and where it can make us faster and more accurate. The logistics industry is changing quickly and I think there is a real opportunity for companies that are willing to build properly from the start rather than patching things together as they grow.
Outside of work I spend a lot of my time on sport and travelling. What drives me most is progress. Whether personally or within BYR, I enjoy building something and continuously finding ways to make it better.
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"Good logistics solves today. Great logistics prepares for tomorrow."
"Freight moves fast. So do I."
I grew up in Hoofddorp and got into logistics when I was eighteen. In the years that followed I built up a lot of experience in air freight, both import and export, completed my customs declarant qualification and worked across different roles at my previous employer covering both the operational and commercial side. I know this industry from the inside.
What suits me about logistics is that no day is the same. You need to switch fast, deal with unexpected situations and always find a solution for the client. That suits the way I work. My background in sport taught me to be disciplined, to keep pushing and to always look for where improvement is possible. I bring that mentality to BYR every day.
At BYR I handle the daily operation and sales. I coordinate shipments from start to finish, keep in contact with clients, airlines, carriers and international partners and make sure the right solution gets found for every situation. Air freight and customs are where my expertise is strongest, but I help clients with sea freight, road transport, warehousing and other logistics questions too.
What I enjoy most about this work is being able to genuinely help clients out of difficult situations and building real long term relationships in the process. That is what makes it interesting.
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The team at work, and off it.
