In the niche market of spare parts supply chain management, companies that own many assets, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance service providers each have their own spare parts management-related goals and accommodating challenges. The story of our name and philosophy is a tale of vision and an unwavering commitment to solving these complex challenges with creativity and boldness.
Our journey began with our founder, Jan Willem Rustenburg, whose fascination with spare parts management traces back to his naval years as an engineering officer. During deployment, frequent spare parts shortages often left him reaching for aspirins. Tasked with finding a solution, Jan Willem quickly grasped the transformative potential of proper spare parts management (SPM). The opportunity to drive innovation in practice with science-based principles ignited and fuelled his love for the field even further.
Initially, Jan Willem envisioned a company named “Spare Vision,” reflecting his goal of creating efficient spare parts management solutions. However, a playful critique from his brother-in-law highlighted the awkwardness of the name’s wordplay, prompting Jan Willem to seek a more fitting moniker.
The breakthrough came most unexpectedly …
Coincidentally, Jan Willem and his business partner watched a documentary on Alexander the Great and the Gordian Knot one evening. The story of Alexander boldly cutting through the seemingly impossible knot struck a chord with both of them.
“It symbolised the approach we wanted to take in our business—tackling complex challenges with innovative and straightforward solutions,” explains Jan Willem. Inspired by this ancient Greek legend, Jan Willem knew “Gordian” was the perfect name for the company.
