The history of Brunel
Connecting professionals for more than half a century
50 Years of Connecting Specialists to Pioneering Projects
For half a century, Brunel has stood at the forefront of global talent and innovation, connecting specialists with pioneering projects. What began in 1975 as a bold vision to match technical expertise with opportunity has evolved into a worldwide network of specialists driving progress across energy, engineering, life sciences, and beyond. As we mark our 50th year, we celebrate not only our milestones, but the people, partnerships, and passion that have shaped our journey.
Milestones that made Brunel
1975
This was the year that Jan Brand, a graduate engineer himself, placed his first fellow engineer in a temporary position. With this first step, Jan Brand distinguished himself as a pioneer in the development of the temporary employment sector. Over the years this would become an international industry and an indispensable stabilising factor in local and international labour markets. This first placement, made when the company was operating under the name of Multec, also marks the beginning of Brunel's colourful history.
The first office
Typical of these early years was the emphasis on placing highly qualified, technical specialists. Even now Brunel is still known for this focus. The first office was established in Delft, the same city where Jan Brand attended university and a city that attracts many young engineers.
1978
Rapid growth
The business of temporary placement of engineers experiences rapid growth. Companies are quick to realise how flexibility can enhance their processes. Newly graduated engineers know that working on a range of different projects for various companies will accelerate their own careers. This winning formula leads to new company offices. The Multec flag is soon waving in every Dutch city with a technical university or polytechnic. This operation runs with almost military precision: as soon as one office grows and flourishes, another one is in the works.
1987
First foreign office: Belgium
The development of Brunel enters a new phase with the opening of its first office in a foreign city: Antwerp, Belgium. Brunel still remains true to the formula that had made the company so successful until then: small, highly motivated sales teams and the placement of highly qualified candidates in technical settings. At the same time, the company is aware that the formula for each new region requires adaptation to cultural differences as well as variations in labour market structure and legislation. These lessons learned, Belgium becomes a relatively small but solid business unit within Brunel.
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