The recurring section “A word from an MME employee” says it all: in this section, we put one of our employees in the spotlight, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at MME Group. This time, the spotlight is on Lars Melsen. Lars started at MME Group in 2021 as an NDT inspector at our location in Dinteloord.
Meet Lars Melsen
Lars tells: “My name is Lars Melsen, I’m 30 years old, and I have now been working at MME Group for almost five years as an NDT inspector.
Before joining MME, I worked for a while at another NDT company. Prior to that, I was active in the IT world. I got tired of working behind a desk, was looking for more challenge, and through an acquaintance I ended up in the inspection world.”
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From rookie to specialist
“When I started working at MME, I had only one goal: to complete as many NDT training courses as possible and travel around the world for my job. When I joined MME Group five years ago, I still had limited experience and skills in the field of inspection. I was assigned to the NDT department in Dinteloord, where, under the guidance of the then branch manager Mario Mrkic and colleague, Jeroen van de Velde I quickly gained a lot of experience in the various NDT disciplines.”
“MME Group has its own NDT Training Center with highly skilled and experienced instructors. Early on, I had the opportunity to prove myself and pursue various NDT training courses.
Now, almost five years later, I am certified in seven different NDT disciplines. In addition, I have completed supplementary courses such as TMS-IR, ADR, VCA, and BOSIET, and I have followed various internal courses.
The rookie who walked in five years ago has, if I may say so myself, grown into an NDT specialist.”
“I would like to extend a special thank you to my mentors Mario and Jeroen, the instructors at the NDT Training Center, and to Kees Verdoorn for giving me the opportunity to prove myself. They have played an important role in my personal development and my journey to becoming an NDT specialist.”
International NDT projects and inspection work at MME Group
“Those who know me a little, know that I am an absolute work enthusiast with an almost insatiable thirst for adventure. I truly love my job and the (maritime) world in which MME Group operates. Fortunately, I am not yet tied down with a wife and children, so I’m always up for overtime, a weekend job, or an international trip.”
“From working at –10 degrees Celsius in January on a gas production platform in the North Sea performing wall thickness measurements (UTM), to +40 degrees Celsius in Nigeria carrying out Digital Radiography (DR) at a brewery: I’ve been to many places for MME. By now, I have visited fifteen countries, and undoubtedly many more will follow.”
“I have always been given the opportunity by Kees Verdoorn (General Manager) to prove myself on various projects. As a result, I have grown enormously as a person and as an inspector. Especially on larger projects, where we stayed for extended periods in Romania and Norway, you can gain a lot of experience. I never pass up/say no to those opportunities.”
About myself
“In my free time, I exercise a lot I work out every day. Whether it’s bending iron in the gym, sparring in the dojo, or running outdoors: sports are a common thread in my life. With our MME Running Team, I have already participated in several running events this year, and a few more are already planned for 2026.
In addition, I play the guitar, enjoy cooking, reading books, and I am very much a family person.”
What makes you go to work with pleasure every day?
“Every day, I enjoy going to the various jobs we carry out. Even though you sometimes get wet, stand in the cold or heat, get dirty, or have to drive long distances. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. It is far better compared to the sterile office environment where I spent the first years of my adult life.
The diversity of work environments, the great colleagues, and the challenges ensure that I still get enormous satisfaction from my work.”
“In my view, the greatest strength of MME Group lies in the people working in the field. We have a very diverse group of colleagues, from young to old. Generally, we maintain an informal working atmosphere, help each other where needed, and share our knowledge and experience. There is a lot of laughter, but also very hard work when required.”
“The older generation mentors the younger generation. In my opinion, this is essential, because fewer young people are choosing a profession like ours. Together, we must ensure that quality within the sector remains high.”
Closing words
“If you are young and ambitious and are considering entering the NDT world, I can certainly recommend getting in touch with our recruiter Mike Bal. In addition to gaining a huge amount of highly sought-after work experience, you will experience many great things along the way and you can also boost your savings account if you’re not afraid to put in some extra hours now and then.
I wouldn’t miss this for anything, and I’m curious to see what the coming years will bring.”
Would you also like to work as an NDT inspector at MME Group and develop yourself into an NDT specialist?
Check our career section. For questions, please contact one of our recruiters via 0180-487755 or jobs@mme-group.com.