About us

We are BakkerElkhuizen

Our mission and vision

Mission

BakkerElkhuizen is the international specialist in designing, distributing and selling ergonomic hardware and software solutions.

We believe in a world in which you work smart and feel good.
Based on research and knowledge, we create innovative solutions for your optimal work(place).

We believe that optimal work behavior and a people-oriented workplace increase the health, safety, comfort and productivity of the “you”. Within our philosophy of Work Smart – Feel Good, we want to encourage optimal work behavior. This includes alternating between dynamic sitting, standing, and taking breaks to encourage physical and mental movement. In our people-oriented work environment, workplace design and work behavior, go hand in hand.

Vision

“The you-oriented work environment”

Within the “you”-oriented work environment, we put people at the center, with optimal work behavior in an optimal workplace, taking into account environmental factors in the workspace.
We do this both in the office and in mobile work environments.
Creating a world where you Work Smart – Feel Good, realises our vision and mission.  We strive for excellence and build upon our position as an innovative leader and knowledge partner in the market.

The history of BakkerElkhuizen

Founding ErgoDirect (2000)
In 2000, WorkPace dealers BakkerElkhuizen and Harley Systems (John van Hooft) found each other and founded the company ErgoDirect to boost sales of break software. Soon after the establishment, the shareholders see great opportunities for the BakkerElkhuizen portfolio of ergonomic accessories through ErgoDirect. It was decided to sell break software and ergonomic accessories to companies and organizations via ErgoDirect. From now on, BakkerElkhuizen will focus on building a national and international network of BakkerElkhuizen partners.

Sale of ErgoDirect to Harley Systems (2004).

BakkerElkhuizen decides to divest its interest in ErgoDirect to its partner Harley Systems (John van Hooft) to focus even more on the growth of its network of partners.

Sale of BakkerElkhuizen to Harley Systems (2006)
Founders Wim Bakker and Jan-Willem Elkhuizen decide to sell their company BakkerElkhuizen to Harley Systems (John van Hooft, former partner ErgoDirect).

Founding BakkerElkhuizen (1994)
Movement scientists Wim Bakker and Jan-Willem Elkhuizen set up ergonomic consultancy BakkerElkhuizen to provide companies with ergonomic advice. They soon identified a need for tools to improve the interaction between man and computer.

Break Software (1999)
As movement scientists, both founders observed that, in addition to work posture, work behaviour also greatly influences healthy, comfortable, and efficient monitor work. For this purpose, they acquire the non-exclusive dealership of WorkPace break software in 1999.

Sales of software and ergonomic solutions are made to companies and organizations in the Netherlands.

CTRL-Work-WORK-and-MOVE1

CtrlWORK: replacement for break software (2009)
Break software is also undergoing an evolution, thanks in part to its initial rigid method of blocking keyboards and forcing breaks through blacked-out screens. The ‘pill’ that worked for people with serious RSI complaints becomes a bitter pill for the ‘healthy’ employee in the form of new complaints; irritation as well as frustration.

At the request of our largest customers, BakkerElkhuizen is marketing CtrlWORK as a replacement for break software. With CtrlWORK, we give users their own control over reports and shift the focus to awareness as the basis for the much-desired change in behavior.
And with success: more than 75% of the break software users switch to CtrlWORK within 2 years!

WORK & MOVE Coach (2018)
Thanks to your dedication to innovation, we are again providing hundreds of thousands of users with the next evolution of WORK & MOVE, movement and awareness; key areas to make screen work sufficiently varied and guide screen workers to a healthy, comfortable and efficient way of working.

CTRL-Work-WORK-and-MOVE1
Ergodirect-BakkerElkhuizen

ErgoDirect becomes BakkerElkhuizen (2022)
As of June 2022, ErgoDirect is implementing a name change that will ensure that we can act more transparently and clearly to the market in this Hybrid era. From now on ErgoDirect will merge into BakkerElkhuizen.

Ergodirect-BakkerElkhuizen

The WORK & MOVE Team

CEO-john-van-hooft

John van Hooft

CEO BakkerElkhuizen

Stefan Reuter

Commercial Director BakkerElkhuizen

UK-Steven-howe

Steven Howe

Country Manager England & Ireland

Tanguy Hopchet

Country Manager France & BeLux

Henning Mederus

Country Manager DACH

Software-Sander-laheij

Sander Laheij

Manager of Software & ICT development

Maak-jouw-organisatie-gezonder

Make your organization healthier

Get physically and mentally fitter employees and reduce absenteeism. That’s what WORK & MOVE Coach can do for your organization. Try it for free today!

Companies that rely on WORK & MOVE!

A healthy work environment for your staff? Reduce or gain insight into sick leave? Whatever your needs, WORK & MOVE makes it possible. Benefit directly from the advantages WORK & MOVE has to offer. Many companies are already using our software, read their experiences here!

Review_capgemini_logo

Annelies Hermens
Health Manager
Capgemini

Employees are encouraged to get off their chair. They are provided with exercises that allow them to relax, and that way, they can ultimately be healthier, fitter, and more sustainable at work.

Marion Pronk
HR Specialist
Nationale Nederlanden

WORK & MOVE not only encourages physical movement.
Through the tips and taking a break from the work you are doing, your brain also comes to rest. Ultimately, this has a demonstrably positive effect on employee productivity and creativity.

Review_GRBV_logo

Vera Brinck
Occupational Safety
GRBV

The well-being and health of the entire team is very important to us at GRBV. WORK & MOVE Coach helps our employees integrate regular exercise and breaks into their screen work. All employees are therefore given the opportunity to use WORK & MOVE Coach