This third generation family business is the largest privately owned cheese business in Holland. Westland is well-known for brands like Maaslander and Old Amsterdam, which is sold in 50 countries around the world. Of the 27 family owners six cousins are working in the business which is led by the non-family CEO and COO. A key to their success is unconditional quality control throughout the supply chain. We will visit their cheese maturing and storage suppliers in Zeewolde. In their office in Huizen several family members will share their journey from a sibling partnership to a cousin consortium and how to maintain an entrepreneurial culture in the business and in the growing family.

The Dutch company Van Oord was founded over 130 years ago and today is a global leader in dredging and marine construction. Throughout the history of the Netherlands, the Dutch had to protect themselves against the water by building dikes, windmills and polders viz creating new land. Van Oord contributes to a safe and prosperous world by building crucial infrastructure on land and sea. During this family business visit you will learn about their business challenges, in a mix of a high tech and historical setting. But you will also learn from this example setting family about how they organized the succession process from four siblings to a multi generation ownership and governance structure, creating a family charter and working together with major non-family shareholders.

Since the start in 1906 De Vries has grown into a producer of luxury custom-built yachts. The fourth generation currently holds executive and management positions. Unique to this family business is that they operate in a ‘free-form’ joint venture, called Feadship, with two other private companies to combine engineering, architectural and technical expertise. This visit will bring you to the family’s shipyard and you will experience the craftsmanship of 300 highly skilled staff producing up to four custom built yachts a year. But also you will meet the family and learn about their succession process and how they have organized the family as a responsible and enthusiastic owner of the yard.

n 1821 Albert Smit started as a fish trader and succeeding generations expanded the company by also trading in several kinds of marine oil, vegetable oil, animal oil and proteins. From there it was a small step to the leather industry currently exporting leather chemicals to over 70 countries worldwide. The company is headed by the seventh generation consisting of Marc Smit and his sister Valerie. You will visit their R&D centre in Weesp where they concentrate on quality and creative developments for the leather industry, feed and food sector. And you will learn about how a brother and sister managed the succession process and found their way in traditional markets with new innovations.

From a modest start with a single shipyard, established in 1927, Damen has grown to acquire a leading position in modular shipbuilding based on standardized designs. Introduced by Kommer Damen, son of the founder, the modular shipbuilding created a revolution in the industry. Today Damen is involved in new construction as well as maintenance and repair activities with more than 30 shipyards and related companies all over the world. The third generation is now preparing for their responsibilities as owners and possible board and/or management roles. You will not only visit the impressive shipyard in Gorinchem but also meet several family members who will share how a remarkable entrepreneur is preparing his business and his family for long-term success.

Hermitage Amsterdam is the only dedicated, independently managed venue of St Petersburg’s magnificent State Hermitage Museum in Western Europe. It opened its doors on June 20th, 2009. Kuijpers Installations had the privilege to do the installations for energy and climate control. You will have the opportunity to visit the Hermitage and have a ‘behind the scenes tour’ of the facilities. Kuijpers Installations is a third generation innovative company active in technical engineering, installation and fitting techniques, climate control, energy efficiency etc.