From first Flexalen® projects to global support: Jelmar van Beek’s journey

Jelmar joined Thermaflex in June 2002 as a Technical Sales Engineer for insulation products. At the time, what drew him in was not just the company itself, but a specific development: Thermaflex AC pipe insulation for refrigeration technology. That focus on innovation in real applications set the tone for everything that followed.

Over more than two decades, his role has evolved through several functions. He moved from sales engineering into project engineering, spent time in product development, and now contributes as a Flexalen® Product Manager. This variety has not only kept his work challenging, but has also given him a broad understanding of how products, projects and customer needs come together.

“I have held various roles at Thermaflex over the past few years, which ensures that I continue to have plenty of challenges.”

Jelmar’s connection to Flexalen® goes back to the production line’s early days. He was involved from the moment Thermaflex started producing the system, first as a Account Manager working on the initial projects in the Netherlands, and later as a Project Engineer.

In those early years, his work focused on engineering systems and ensuring that installations on-site were carried out as intended. What started as a national focus gradually expanded. Projects moved beyond the Netherlands, and his responsibilities followed.

He later returned to a more engineering-focused role, “At that time, there was a great need for engineering, and I went back to my old field.” It is a simple explanation, but it reflects an important quality in project-driven businesses – flexibility. Roles evolve where the need is highest.

Today, Jelmar is most closely connected to Flexalen Project Support. His contribution is not about following a fixed process from start to finish. Instead, he steps in where his experience adds the most value.

He explains that he is no longer involved in every stage in detail, but

“I get energy when we can make the right engineering choice with the client and ultimately deliver in the execution”, he explained.

In practice, that often means getting involved when things are not straightforward.

This is where project support moves beyond theory. It becomes about providing clear, workable solutions in real situations.

A good example of this approach can be seen in a project in Mallorca. The original plan developed by the engineering agency and client aimed to minimise digging in the resort’s gardens. On paper, this made sense.

However, after visiting the site together, Jelmar and the Thermaflex team proposed a different routing. This alternative required more material, but made installation easier and more efficient overall.

“Ultimately, we toured the resort with both parties, and based on that, Thermaflex was able to propose a more optimal route.”

It is a clear example of how project support is not about confirming what is already decided. It is about challenging assumptions and finding solutions that work in practice, not just in design.

No project decision stands on its own without considering quality and safety. For Jelmar, these are not just priorities, but conditions for being able to operate.

“Without quality, there is no product to sell and you cannot serve a market.”

This mindset also shapes how timelines are handled. Even when demand is high and pressure increases, safety comes first. If that leads to delays, it is a necessary consequence rather than a compromise.

Over the years, Jelmar has seen customer expectations change. There is a stronger demand for clear documentation and deeper technical support, not only about the product itself but also about how it is applied.

At the same time, the market is evolving. More companies are offering plastic piping solutions, and low-temperature networks are becoming more visible. These developments play to the strengths of systems like Flexalen, particularly in district heating and centralised heat pump applications.

He emphasises that staying relevant requires continuous awareness of what is happening in the field.

“Everyone at Thermaflex must use their eyes and ears and be present where our market is.”

From Jelmar’s perspective, one of the distinguishing aspects of Flexalen® is Thermaflex’s ability to produce the complete system in-house.

“We are one of the few companies fully capable of producing the entire system in-house, with a fully weldable piping system.”

Combined with a wide range of prefabricated components, this supports smooth installation and better alignment between engineering and execution.

Success is not defined by a single phase of the project. It comes from the full chain working together: “The complete package we can offer of engineering, offering, producing, supplying, and on-site support.”

When these elements are aligned, Thermaflex can meet customer expectations and, in some cases, go beyond them.

“I am proud of my work when this is confirmed by our clients.”

Looking back, Jelmar describes his journey at Thermaflex in three words: responsibility, freedom and development. Those three elements also explain why he has stayed with the company for so long.

He values the direct communication and the space to shape his own responsibilities, while still working within clear processes.

At the same time, collaboration remains central. Working closely with colleagues to meet future customer needs is something he clearly values.

“And this is possible because we can easily reach out to each other.”

Whether you are designing a district heating network or dealing with challenges on-site, having the right technical support makes a practical difference.

Thermaflex Flexalen® project support focuses on:

• Making correct engineering choices early in the project
• Supporting installation challenges with practical solutions
• Aligning design, production and delivery

If you would like to discuss a current or upcoming project, you can