60 Seconds with…Benny Smits
Benny Smits is CEO of Ninatrans, a family-owned company specializing in time-critical ground transportation for customers in Belgium and throughout Europe. With a strong focus on Road Fed Services (RFS), Ninatrans supports major players in air freight, pharmaceutical and automotive logistics – offering reliable, highly secure and temperature-controlled solutions.
What was your dream job as a kid?
When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver. I’ve been racing in GP competitions for about 10 years. Today, I am very proud that we are a partner of DHL in the logistics of this sport.
What is your most memorable moment in the air cargo industry?
Our most memorable moment was our first freight airlift for DHL, nearly 20 years ago. They were real strides in the industry. We were still a small company at the time, operating a fleet of only 15 trucks. Two decades later, we have grown far beyond that – with a fleet more than three times the size.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped?
The most unusual thing we ever shipped was a custom-made cake from a Belgian bakery, made especially for Ivana Trump. We transported it from Belgium to Charles de Gaulle Airport to catch a flight to the United States – all in a custom truck.
What motivates you in your role?
My wish is simply to continue doing this job for a very long time. I feel lucky to be part of this industry. It’s not just about development or logistics, it’s also about people. The air cargo industry is a small community, and everyone I meet is really nice. It’s a community I love and it’s always a pleasure to reconnect with people around the world.
What is the most exciting place you have visited while working?
Being in this industry means we attend events all over the world, so we get to travel a lot. Every place has its unique beauty. The event that caught my attention was the first major air cargo event of 2019 in Singapore. I was amazed by the cultural differences, Marina Bay and the overall atmosphere. But even now, when I travel, I’m always surprised by what I discover. I always try to make time to experience the country and its culture.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to always be straight and honest with people. Every day I look in the mirror and ask myself: Am I proud of what I do? Am I proud of the way I communicate with people? Am I proud of the person I am?
How do you keep employees motivated?
It’s always a challenge to keep everyone motivated, especially as we grow. But at Ninatrans, we work hard to maintain the culture of a small organization. Even though we now have branches in different countries, it is important that everyone feels connected. We do this through regular briefings, monthly newsletters, and by ensuring our management team stays in close contact with all employees. My door is always open – people can always reach me. We focus a lot on keeping our drivers engaged, because they are the ones interacting with our customers every day. They provide service, and are a major reason why we are able to maintain our quality.
What three things would you take with you to a desert island?
coffee. My laptop – assuming there is internet of course. Sun cream. And the right person.
Describe your job in three words.
Challenging, exciting and satisfying.
Coffee or tea?
coffee.
Aisle or window seat?
corridor.
Cats or dogs?
Cats.
