Visiting:
BV Elektra

BV Elektra: Always on the Move
In an industry that’s constantly changing, Amsterdam-based BV Elektra knows exactly what it stands for: craftsmanship, reliability, and a clear vision for the future. Co-owners René Sellmeijer and Marc Halsema combine years of experience with a fresh entrepreneurial mindset. “We’re actually a startup with 40 to 50 years of experience,” says René.

From Experience to Entrepreneurship
For René Sellmeijer, the adventure at BV Elektra began a year and a half ago, when he joined as a co-owner through a friendly takeover. With a background at Oosterberg and Technische Unie, he brings primarily management, sales, and HR experience to the table.

Marc Halsema took a more technical path: he started out in security technology, worked in sales, and then enrolled in a work-study program to learn the installation trade hands-on. “That combination works well,” says Marc. “René brings structure and organization; I come more from the technical and hands-on side.” Marc is also actively involved with IW Nederland (Installatie Werk), where, in his role as a board member, he is committed to training a new generation of installers.

Co-owners of BV Elektra: Marc Halsema and René Sellmeijer

Traditional and in Transition
When asked to describe BV Elektra in a few words, an interesting mix emerges. René calls the company “traditional, reliable, and in transition,” while Marc speaks of four core values: craftsmanship, identity, movement, and efficiency.

According to them, this trend isn’t limited to technology, but also extends to the way they operate and grow as a company. The company focuses primarily on renovation and transformation projects, specializing in hotels. In addition, they serve a broad B2B market, including homeowners’ associations and, occasionally, high-end residential construction. “Those luxury homes are perhaps the most fun,” says Marc. “That’s where you can really go all out with home automation and high-end switches and outlets.”

Creativity Within Structure
The collaboration between the two owners is characterized by a nice balance. When asked whether they prefer a strict schedule or creative freedom, a brief discussion ensues. René says he considers himself primarily creative, but Marc offers a slight caveat, noting that René is actually quite process-oriented. René clarifies: “I give people the freedom to choose how they achieve a goal. And when we run into problems, I always look for creative solutions. ‘Can’t’ doesn’t really exist—there’s always a way.”

Partnership as the Key to Success
They prefer to collaborate on the basis of partnership, including with suppliers. “Without personal collaboration, you can never deliver a good end product,” Marc emphasizes. “A supplier must understand what we need—in terms of the product, but also in terms of support.” The role of the wholesaler remains essential in this regard. Not only for availability and logistics, but also as the first point of contact. “For us, the wholesaler is an important generalist,” Marc explains. “It’s a starting point when looking for specific solutions.”

Smart Lighting as a Game-Changer
Innovation is playing an increasingly important role in electrical engineering, and smart lighting is a prime example of this. According to Marc, the focus is increasingly on energy savings and the efficient use of spaces. “With smart lighting, you can direct light exactly where it’s needed,” he says. A recent project illustrates this perfectly: a parking garage where Interlight Thinq lighting was chosen. The challenge? “The homeowners’ association didn’t want any extra sensors or new wiring,” Marc explains. “That’s why Thinq was ideal, because the sensors are already built into the fixtures and communicate with each other.”