60 Seconds With … Benny Smets

Benny Smets is Chief Executive Officer of Ninatrans, a family-owned company specialising in time-critical road transport for customers in Belgium and across Europe. With a strong focus on Road Feeder Services (RFS), Ninatrans supports major players in air cargo, pharma, and automotive logistics -- offering reliable, high-security, and temperature-controlled solutions. What was your dream job as a child?

When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver. I used to race in GP competitions about 10 years ago. Today, I'm very proud that we are a partner of DHL in the logistics of the sport.

What's your most memorable moment in the air cargo industry? The most memorable moment was the very first air cargo transport we did for DHL, about 20 years ago. It marked real steps into the industry.

We were still a small operation back then, running a fleet of just 15 trucks. Two decades later, we've grown far beyond that - with a fleet that's more than three times the size. What's the most unusual thing you've ever shipped?

The most unusual thing we've ever shipped was a custom-made cake from a Belgian bakery, made specifically for Ivana Trump. We transported it from Belgium to Charles de Gaulle Airport to catch a flight to the US -- all in a dedicated lorry. What keeps you motivated 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 only about development or logistics - it's also about the people.

The air cargo industry is a small community, and everyone I meet is genuinely nice. It's a community that I love and I'm always happy to reconnect with people around the world. What's the most exciting place you've visited through work?

Being in this industry means we attend events all over the world, so we get to travel a lot. Every place has its own unique beauty. One that stands out for me was my first big air cargo event in 2019, in Singapore.

I was amazed by the cultural differences, Marina Bay, and the whole 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 piece of advice you've ever received? The best advice I've 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'm doing?

Am I proud of the way I communicate with people? Am I proud of the person I am? How do you keep staff motivated?

It's always a challenge to keep everyone motivated, especially as we grow. But at Ninatrans, we work hard to keep the culture of a small organisation. Even though we now have branches in different countries, it's important that everyone feels connected.

We do this through regular briefings, monthly newsletters, and by making sure our management team stays in close contact with all employees. My door is always open -- people can always reach me. We put a lot of focus on keeping our drivers engaged, because they're the ones interacting with our customers every day.

They deliver the service, and they're a key reason why we can maintain our quality. What three things would you take to a desert island? Coffee.

My laptop - assuming there's internet, of course. Sun cream. And the right person.

Describe your job in three words. Challenging, exciting, satisfying. Coffee or tea?

Coffee. Aisle seat or window? Aisle.

Cats or dogs?

Cats.