Scaling with the right partner: Cargosnap’s growth story

You've probably seen our case studies before—where we highlight the success of our projects. But wouldn’t you rather hear it straight from the client? That's why we sat down with Marcel Merkx and Jasper den Hartog, the minds behind Cargosnap, to talk about their growth journey and why they partnered with Taleron (formerly RocketPeople).

How the journey of Cargosnap began

The logistics industry runs on precision—every second and every inch matters. Cargosnap entered the market in 2016 to simplify logistics workflows, ensuring cargo and vehicle conditions were efficiently documented. Founder Marcel saw an opportunity to reduce complexity and wasted time, and Cargosnap quickly gained traction. As customers engaged with the platform, they didn’t just stay—they became advocates.

Meanwhile, fate intervened at an unexpected place: a school playground. Jasper recalls, “Having recently exited my previous venture, I was chatting with Marcel about our projects. That conversation sparked an idea—and we quickly realized our combined expertise had serious potential.”

Marcel adds with a laugh, “And the rest is history.”

Cargosnap—bringing efficiency in logistics

Scaling up: four years of rapid growth

When Jasper joined, Cargosnap had just four employees. Fast forward to 2020, and the team had grown to 24. “If we count turnover, the number of hires was probably closer to 40,” Jasper jokes. “Building a team is an ongoing process.”

In the beginning, hiring relied heavily on networking and chance encounters—sometimes even schoolyard conversations. Marcel and Jasper personally reviewed resumes and conducted interviews, spending anywhere from 10–20% of their time on hiring.

But scaling wasn’t without challenges. “Early on, we had to make compromises due to budget constraints,” Jasper admits. “Sometimes that led to mishires, which slowed us down.” Even when budgets improved, finding top-tier talent remained difficult, especially for developer roles. Marcel sums it up: “Finding developers is like searching for unicorns.”

“They’re bombarded with recruiter messages daily,” Jasper adds. “It’s all white noise to them.” Traditional job boards and LinkedIn weren’t enough—they needed a new approach.

The five-legged sheep: a shift in hiring strategy

Hiring developers wasn’t their only challenge. Marketing became a priority when they realized that many clients were coming in through inbound channels, not traditional sales outreach. Jasper explains, “We needed a marketing expert who understood SaaS and international markets—basically, a five-legged sheep.”

At first, Cargosnap opted to build their marketing team internally. But when finding the right fit proved difficult on both the developer and marketing fronts, they turned to Taleron.

Setting the stage for success—the onboarding process

Before jumping into recruitment, Taleron set up a structured onboarding process to ensure alignment. Marcel and Jasper immediately saw the value.

“There were two major things that stood out,” Jasper shares. “First, Taleron took the time to truly understand our company—our DNA, mission, values, and culture. They weren’t just filling positions; they were finding the right people for Cargosnap.”

“Second,” he continues, “they collaborated with us to define ideal candidate profiles. Their structured approach, complete with playbooks for every step of the process, made recruitment smoother and far more efficient.”

"Amsterdamse bekkies"—a partnership that worked

Reflecting on their experience with Taleron, Marcel and Jasper highlighted several key aspects that made Taleron a valuable partner for Cargosnap's growth.

• Quality over quantity – “It’s not about filling seats; it’s about finding the right people,” Marcel says.

• Consistency & efficiency – “Their structured weekly updates kept us informed and in control,” Jasper adds.

• Clear communication – “Their direct, no-nonsense approach—what we call ‘Amsterdamse bekkies’—worked perfectly for us.”

Jasper praises Taleron's consistent and efficient approach. “There was a rhythm to their work, a steady pace that kept things moving smoothly. Every Friday, they'd give us a rundown of their progress and answer any questions, making the whole process super transparent. This reliability was invaluable amidst the daily challenges we faced. Taleron brought a sense of stability and assurance to our recruitment processes.”

Marcel described Taleron's style as bold and assertive, much like the dynamic energy of Amsterdam itself. This boldness brought a fresh perspective, enriching Cargosnap's experience and even inspiring them to adopt a similar mindset within their own operations.

Finally, with a chuckle, Jasper referred to Taleron's communication style as "Amsterdamse bekkies"—a Dutch expression for speaking directly and candidly. This resonated well with Cargosnap. “It facilitated clear and effective communication, which ultimately strengthened our partnership,” Jasper concluded.

Jasper also emphasized the importance of open communication throughout the recruitment process. “I appreciated Taleron's willingness to listen to our feedback and adjust their approach accordingly. It felt like a true collaboration aimed at achieving the best possible hiring outcomes.”

Overall, while they encountered some hurdles during the process, both Marcel and Jasper acknowledged Taleron's proactive approach and commitment to improving candidate quality through open communication and feedback.

On a lighter note, Jasper shared, “Taleron really came through for us. We've already hired two software engineers and a Customer Success Lead in Utrecht, along with a Digital Marketing Manager in our Athens office with their help. In fact, we might have set a new record for our quickest hire in Taleron history. Sometimes you just know when you've found the perfect fit right away, and that's exactly what happened with one candidate.”

When and why to partner with Taleron

With their experience in mind, Marcel and Jasper offer advice to other companies considering RocketPeople.

👉 If you're a SaaS startup or scale-up in a growth phase, Taleron can help navigate the trickier hiring challenges that come with scaling from 20 to 50+ employees.

👉 If you lack an internal recruiter, Taleron acts as an extension of your team, bringing an expansive network and hiring expertise.

👉 If you're struggling to attract top talent, especially for hard-to-fill roles, their proactive search approach is a game-changer.

Jasper emphasized the benefits of outsourcing for hard-to-find talent, “Many companies, like us, don't have dedicated internal recruiters. Taleron’s diverse team acts as an extension of yours, bringing a wider range of competencies and network. They help us move beyond waiting for inbound applicants and actively hunt down the perfect fit.”

Jasper sums it up: “Even as we scale, recruitment will always take time. But the right people make all the difference. One great hire can transform a company.”

Cargosnap's story is a testament to the power of finding the right partner for growth. Are you ready to embark on your own journey of success? Explore how Taleron can help you find the talent you need to take your business to the next level.