Maria retires after around 1.8 million miles

More and more women are choosing the rewarding profession of truck driving. On the popular TV show Meiden die Rijden (Girls Behind the Wheel), they offer a glimpse into their everyday lives on the road. At Kuipers Logistics, we weren’t the first to hire a female driver—but we were definitely ahead of the curve. Back in 2003, we already had our very own Maria working as an international truck driver.

Sadly for us at Kuipers, Maria is now retiring after 22 years of loyal service and around 1.8 million miles of driving to and from Italy. Of course, she’s more than earned this next chapter of her life—but we, along with many of our partners both in the Netherlands and abroad, are really going to miss her. Always cheerful, helpful, and never one to complain, Maria has made a lasting impression on everyone she’s met.

Maria is someone with her heart in the right place, and she’s always been deeply committed to Kuipers. She drove with pride—and we’re proud to say she was one of us. To quote one of our partners in Italy: “If everyone thought and acted like Maria, the world would be a much better place.” You’d be hard-pressed to find a greater compliment.

Today, we quite literally put Maria in the spotlight and took the time to thank her for everything she’s done. Harry Kuipers presented her with the Kuipers Logistics Medal of Honor—a recognition she has more than earned.

Thank you, Maria! For all your incredible work. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.