Early in the morning, I always watch the weather forecast first’

Thus far the winter hasn't been much, but this is about to change the comming days. All weather-experts agree that: from sunday the temperature will hardly reach above zero. For Niels Emck (32), general manager of  family business Wintersport Leerdam, the rush can break loose.
 
Well, has extra personel been organised? ,,No that's not necessairy. I employ about thirsty people. This should be enough even at the peak rush periods Even though we will then sometimes make workdays from 7 in the morning till 11 in the evening. Only on sunday we don't work, on account of our religious beliefs. It's not busy yet; many retailers will wait. After all it's already late winter. With a frost spell in november, It would have been much busier already. Because when a winter doesn't keep on at that time, there will still be 3 months to go. I expect that the biggest rush will now only come when the ice is actually thick enough.’’
 
Will the predicted frost spell prevent a financal setback? ,,Even if a severe winter does not happen, we will remain a healthy company. After all; from 1997 we even had eleven years without winter. The rest of the year we as Schreuders Sport sell sporting goods, camping equipment, footwear and watersports products. For the rest  we will just have to wait if there will be any ice skating at all: Often the weather for the next day is already impossible to predict. But I have to admit: the first thing I do early in the morning now is check the weather forecasts.’’
 
How many ice skates do you actually have in stock?
,,From a competitors point of view I prefer not to comment on that. We are the largest in the Netherlands, I myself even think Western-Europe. But i am not sure, B tink that through my experience I have a clear view of the branch.’’
 
Finally there's frost, and then the boss is gone. ,,Yes, to a sports tradefair in Munich (ISPO). From sunday, we are showing our collection for next winter there. We are travelling with a team of three. I expect we will be back before the biggest rush will start.’’

Source : AD Rivierenland - 27.01.2012

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