Where soccer meets high tech: trust and collaboration power Twente’s talent pipeline

ETC Nederland is a global leader in ultracentrifuge technology, essential for enriching uranium used as fuel in nuclear power plants. Based in Almelo, the company serves a large part of the global market. “We have been around for over fifty years,” says Leon Lagendijk, managing director. “All the reasons for setting up here as a nuclear specialist are still valid today: the region is seismically stable, and we can find the people we need. Almost all our employees come from Twente.”

The demand for highly skilled technicians is growing rapidly. That’s why ETC Nederland maintains close ties with educational institutions such as the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, and ROC van Twente. “It’s crucial that we train young talent and retain them,” Lagendijk explains. “We not only do this directly, but also through various partnerships.”

Hettrix: collaboration through a network

One striking example of collaboration is Hettrix, an initiative founded in 2018 by professional soccer club Heracles Almelo. The network brings together companies, knowledge institutions, governments and sports to address topics such as talent development, vitality, and sustainability.

“The Twente region combines a strong knowledge infrastructure with a steady influx of well-educated and highly skilled technicians, as well as a strategic location between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Germany.”

“Soccer is an accessible platform,” explains Rob Toussaint, general manager of Heracles and Hettrix initiator. “Almost everyone has some connection to it, making the stadium an ideal place to meet. Hettrix ensures that companies and educational institutions find each other, share knowledge, and execute concrete projects together.”

For ETC Nederland, Hettrix is more than just a network. “Our employees participate in working groups, where they develop skills that they might not encounter in their daily work,” notes Lagendijk. “It’s another form of talent development.”

An ecosystem built on trust

What sets Twente apart is the way in which parties find each other. Short lines of communication and mutual trust are a given. “Through Hettrix, we sit down with various parties every two weeks,” says Lagendijk. “This accelerates contact with local authorities, facilitates brainstorming with other companies, and gives us better access to talent.”

Toussaint also emphasizes the mentality of the region: “You can rely on each other here. Companies support one another and work together to find solutions when things get tough. That makes the ecosystem not only powerful, but also very attractive to newcomers.”

A strong knowledge base and steady influx of talent

Twente offers clear advantages for international companies seeking a European base. “The region combines a strong knowledge infrastructure with a steady influx of well-educated and highly skilled technicians, as well as a strategic location between Amsterdam and Germany,” says Toussaint.

He also highlights the local work ethic. “People are loyal and committed. This makes Twente a place where companies can not only expand their activities, but also where professionals enjoy living and working. That’s not insignificant.”

New players, new growth

The region’s strong foundation also allows room for growth. “More large high-tech companies would make the region even more attractive,” Lagendijk observes. “It would expand the market and ensure a steady supply of technicians in the future.”

New players can quickly integrate through networks such as Hettrix or the business clubs of professional clubs such as Heracles and FC Twente. “These powerful platforms help newcomers quickly become part of the community,” Toussaint concludes. “Collaboration pays off. It makes this region unique and offers international companies a solid foundation on which to establish themselves and grow.”

Next Tech

In Twente, talent and technology grow through trust and teamwork. Networks like Hettrix unite industry, education, and even sport, showing how this region’s collaborative spirit builds a future-ready ecosystem where people and progress thrive together.

To showcase Twente’s innovative high‑tech ecosystem to international entrepreneurs, Oost NL and Twente Board jointly developed the booklet Accelerate Next Tech. This article is part of that collection, highlighting how collaboration and technology drive innovation in the Twente region.