The firm H.W.van der Peet & Zn has been active in transport of loose product since 1948. The company was started by Henk van der Peer Sr. and in the meantime sons Henk and Wil are the directors. An important development of the company was the conveyor belt for the transport of potatoes and onions in 1967. In the meantime with a large head start as market leader in this market and exports of the conveyor belts to more than thirty countries and lorries which are also used for transporting amongst other things, tinned food, cacao- and coffee beans, salt and sand. "One needs a certain volume, but for all products our conveyor belts are labour saving and quality preserving," Henk van der Peet says.
Henk van der Peet
Based on the basic plan a number of 'specials' of the conveyor belts are available
in the meantime, with for instance more compartments, onion discharging, additional transport belts and special drives. Van der Peet introduced a self-carrying belt 'Kolibri' in 2007, named after the lightweight bird. The Kolibri is the first conveyor belt ever, which is developed and manufactured in a totally self-carrying design, as a result of which a reduction in weight has been realised of more than 17% of the total weight of the traditional designs. "In the meantime 40% of the conveyor belts sold are Kolibri. The new trailer can be built with a weight from 4,850 kg, whilst the traditional trailer weighs 5,850 kg. The saving in weight makes quite a difference in the loading capacity, as a result of which transporters can considerably decrease the number of loads on an annual basis," Henk tells.
Hanging tunnel
Conveyor belts for transport of potatoes and onions are about 75% of the production of Van der Peet. It is striking that the complete production of the own company takes place in Nieuwkoop. "We are convinced that we can produce a high value product provided we do it ourselves instead of handing it over to third countries. We trust automation more than purchasing abroad."
Welding robot
In the meantime forty people work here. Luckily because of the extension of the premises we now have more space to work. We often recognise modules, so that
the products can be used on all types of conveyor belts. We can produce a complete conveyor belt in seven days. Last year we invested in a welding robot with a complete drilling and milling program, which works in a 13.6 meter line. During the Christmas get-together we unveiled the welding street and named it after my brother" Henk laughs.
An important cost item for Van der Peet is aluminium. "The price is amongst others, decided by market conditions, the dollar rate of exchange and fuel price. We also try and work in a socially responsible way. In this way our suppliers obtain aluminium from recycled aluminium. We realise a saving of 95% on fuel expenses and from 60 to 70% on CO2-emission compared to mining of prime aluminium," Henk tells. "Durability is very important to our company. We also take part in 'Sustainable entrepreneurs Nieuwkoop' of which about thirty companies are part. One of the main points in this is to obtain insight in the total use of energy and CO2-emission of each company, with the result to start investing to decrease this. A possible example is to install solarpanels, the energy of which can be used collectively."
Van der Peet has a 90% market share on the European market. "A good position, but there is a danger also. One could lose the position and everybody looks at you. Therefore we continuously work to improve our products," Henk says. "We are happy to supply the big transport companies, but are just as proud with our smaller customers. Finally we need all of them. Last year the onion and potato market was not good and we noticed that from the sales on the Dutch and German market. Luckily the mood is more positive now, but every year there is another country with difficulties. Therefore it is good that we export our products to a number of countries from South America to Japan and Ukraine. Especially in Eastern Europe they have known where to find us the last few years."
The Nieuwkoop company does not work with dealers. Both production and selling is done by themselves. "We have a specific product. In addition to conveyor belts we also manufacture dumpers, moving floors, closed bodywork and moving tarpaulin bodywork, according to the wishes of the client. Furthermore for years we have imported STAS dumper trailers and Alutrailer moving floor trailers, which we regularly export with a blow installation or hydraulic roof valves." Henk explains. The director is optimistic about the future of the company. "The next generation can hardly wait to join us."
For more information:
Henk van der Peet
H.W. van der Peet & Zn
64, Transportweg
2420 AA Nieuwkoop
Tel: 0031 172-579318
Fax: 0031 172-574651
[email protected]
www.vanderpeet.nl