Commercial Graduation Internship (Higher Professional Education)
Graduation internship: Research into market potential for Akoestikon® in Northern Europe
Your opportunity at Merford
At Merford's Acoustic Materials department, we are looking for an intern to research market potential in Northern Europe.
The graduation assignment (for students of Commercial Economics or Business) focuses on a strategic market study into the international market for sound insulation in construction (Akoestikon®). The intern will map out the key international competitors, examine their products, market position, pricing and distribution channels, and analyse which markets and segments could offer Merford interesting growth opportunities, along with which products would fit these.
The end result is a practical piece of advice that gives Merford better insight into international competition and the commercial opportunities for future growth. The intern will work closely with the sales manager, the product manager and colleagues from the Acoustic Materials product group.
What you bring to the team
As an intern, you'll be part of Merford's Acoustic Materials team. During your graduation internship, you'll research the international market potential of our acoustic building system, Akoestikon®, in Northern Europe. You will map out the market, competitors and commercial opportunities, and translate your findings into concrete advice for our international growth strategy.
You'll have the freedom to conduct independent research, carry out market analyses and make contact with market parties both in the Netherlands and abroad. You will work closely with the sales manager and commercial colleagues, meaning you won't just complete a valuable graduation assignment, you'll also directly contribute to Merford's strategic development.
We're looking for an enthusiastic, curious and entrepreneurial higher professional education student with an interest in international markets, strategy and business development. The following characteristics suit you:
- You are studying a higher professional education (HBO) programme, such as International Business, Commercial Economics or Industrial Engineering & Management, and are looking for a graduation internship of approximately four to six months;
- You have an interest in international markets, strategy and business development;
- You are analytical, independent, and enjoy investigating complex issues;
- You dare to take initiative and find it easy to make contact with companies and other market parties;
- You have a good command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written;
- You live within an acceptable travelling distance of Gorinchem;
- You get energy from discovering new market opportunities and enjoy translating your analyses into practical advice that Merford can use to further realise its international ambitions.
What’s in it for you
At Merford, you'll work in an organisation where collaboration, craftsmanship and development are central. During your internship, you'll have the space to work independently and make a real contribution to improvements within the organisation.
Of course, you'll be assigned a dedicated internship supervisor. This supervisor is your first point of contact for questions, guidance and progress meetings. Together, we'll ensure your internship is not only educational but also a valuable contribution to your professional development. In addition, you can count on:
- An educational internship within a technically oriented organisation
- Good guidance from experienced colleagues
- Plenty of room for your own initiative and independence
- The opportunity to gain practical experience with data, systems and process improvement
- A modern working environment with office and production location in Gorinchem
- An engaged and informal working atmosphere
- An internship allowance, travel expense reimbursement and free lunch in our canteen
Merford is a professional family business, and alongside being a knowledge organisation, we are truly a people organisation too. With over 150 employees, we know our colleagues personally and keep each other informed. We want to do our work very well, but above all, we do it together. We value enjoyment at work, health and sustainability.
Naturally, you'll also receive an appropriate internship allowance of EUR 550 per month on a full-time basis, plus a travel expense reimbursement, and you can make free use of our lunch facilities.
Think we sound like a match?
