'Not the hype, but the customer's problem'

CQM’s foundation: expertise over hype

“It is not the interesting calculations, but the client’s problem that serves as our starting point.”

That statement by founder Jos de Kroon—made in a 1989 *Philips Koerier* article, ten years after the company was founded—remains just as relevant today. The philosophy behind those words continues to form the core of how CQM operates: substance over hype, collaboration over sales, and applied mathematics over abstract models.

Today, we call this AI, Data Science, or Digital Twins—techniques we deliberately employ as a means, not an end. The fundamental principle remains the same: first gain a clear understanding of the problem, and only then proceed to modeling.

From Knowledge Center to Strategic Partner

After a strong start within Philips, the Centre for Quantitative Methods evolved into an indispensable sparring partner. It became an independent entity in 1993, continuing operations as CQM B.V. Mynt Zijlstra became the first director of the independent CQM, while founder Jos de Kroon remained involved as a leading expert and figurehead. The name change from "Centre for" to "Consultants in" followed later, reflecting our new role as an external partner.

Since then, we have grown into a strategic partner for companies looking to improve their processes using data, models, and analytical insights—spanning sectors from product development to transport, and from manufacturing to retail. We make complex decisions simpler and better-founded, delivering demonstrable impact.

What changed—and what deliberately didn’t

Technology has evolved. Computing times are shorter, models are more powerful, and AI adds new layers of intelligence. Yet our approach has remained remarkably consistent:

• In collaboration with the client
• Grounded in deep subject-matter expertise
• Using a structured methodology
• And always focused on the real problem

Our consultants combine mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and project management, backed by over 45 years of experience in supply chain optimization and data-driven innovation. This enables us to deliver practical solutions that directly contribute to better operational decision-making.

Strong in terms of expertise—as confirmed by our current clients

The most recent customer satisfaction survey (2025) shows that clients continue to value our approach. CQM is rated as a reliable, expert partner, achieving a score of 9.1 for reliability and 8.8 as a sparring partner. According to our clients, our strengths lie in our in-depth knowledge, pragmatic applicability, and result-oriented collaboration.

Clients also highlight the importance of strong project management and matching the right expert to the right context. It is precisely this close collaboration and sharp expertise that define CQM, and these remain key focus areas as we continuously improve our services.
 

Looking back to keep moving forward

Since 1979, CQM has demonstrated that lasting impact stems from clear thinking, curiosity, and an uncompromising focus on relevance. Whether it is 1979, 1993, or 2025, our starting point is the client—not the hype.

“We don’t just deliver models – we deliver solutions that matter.”