Today an important announcement was made by Martien Kooijmans and his son Tijn Kooijmans. Last Sunday, on July 3, Martien turned 65. This year, exactly 100 years ago, Toon A.H. Kooijmans, the fourth generation, took over the company from his father Hans Kooijmans, who was also 65 at the time. On that occasion, Toon registered the company with the Chamber of Commerce under the name A.H. Kooijmans. Since Tijn, as the seventh generation, has become well acquainted with the business over the past few years, Martien feels that the time has come to hand over the managing directorship to him. The 100th anniversary of the name A.H. Kooijmans is an exceptionally good moment for this.
During the speech, Martien and Tijn spoke about the past of our company, about its start in 1814, and how over the past 40 years Martien, together with our team, has grown an ‘oversized shed’ into the modern company where we now work. Tijn grew up here as a child, but Martien always gave him the freedom to develop himself. He earned his engineering degree at the Technical University in Eindhoven and built his own company in Amsterdam.
Until 2018, he never had the idea of becoming active in Schijndel, until at a certain point he started to feel the urge. There are many challenges within the company that he is eager to tackle. Martien has always given Tijn the freedom to do this in his own way, and has complete confidence that the managing directorship is in good hands with him. Tijn’s vision for the company’s future is to continue developing machine technology, logistics, and ICT, so that the company can operate as efficiently as possible. In addition, he values an open culture in which there is room for everyone to develop.
For Martien, a period is approaching in which peace and health will come to the forefront. He will remain active in the business, but will only occupy himself with the things he enjoys. The contact with customers and suppliers that Martien currently maintains will be gradually transferred over the coming year
At the end of the speech, a gift from the company and the family was presented to Martien. A gilded hatchet in a beautiful frame, made by the Schijndel framer Alkema. The following text was laser-engraved on the wooden handle: “The decision has been made, you are retiring. Don’t put down the hatchet, but hang it on the wall”.