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Where the past shapes the future
De Waal. A true family business, established in 1938 by J.A. (Ko) de Waal and today run by the third De Waal generation. Technical skills, the desire to excel, and the reinvestment of profits have made the company a household name in Dutch and European ship-building industries.
After the start-up in 1938 in the former inner harbour of Werkendam the company focused on motorising sailing barges by fitting so-called sideboard engine systems. A true entrepreneur, Ko de Waal bought a motorcycle and ventured out across the country to visit customers. On the road service, way back in the nineteen forties! In 1952 the company moved to the Biesboschhaven, where the development of underwater repairs started.
More underwater work
On the river board, just across the dike next to the factory, Ko de Waal had ships coming in for repair moor over a sand bar, where they ended up high and dry as the tide went out. At low tide the men of De Waal would don their waders and hurry out to the sand bar. Half a dozen men would then manhandle the propeller shaft out of the vessel and back across the dike into the workshop. It was hard work, for the tide waited for no one. In the early 1970s, with the completion of the Oosterschelde Barrier, the final piece of the Delta Works that protect the country against storm floods, the tide all but disappeared. With it De Waal lost its natural repair facility out on the sand bar.
Technology supports growth
In the meantime, Ko’s son, A.M. (Ton) de Waal had entered the business and managed to convince his father to build a hydraulic ship lift in the Biesboschhaven. This was later followed by a second ship lift in the Beatrixhaven, which was covered to shield it from the elements. Two important pillars that supported the growth that was to follow.
The strategic location along the Nieuwe Merwede river in combination with the two ship lifts almost automatically caused De Waal’s business to expand. As a ship’s master you simply couldn’t avoid the place. In 1993 a modern office building was constructed, and seven years later a striking new main building, ‘Havezathe’ was inaugurated.
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Continuing development
As a last development, at least for the time being, the Beatrixhaven was partly filled in again in 2012 after years of negotiations in order to create a wharf of no less than 135 metres long. The special shape of the quay means that ships up to 150 metres can easily find a berth. On the quayside, a high-roofed construction facility was built to provide accommodation for a wide range of ship structures including rudders for seagoing vessels.
Ton de Waal has already handed over the helm to the third generation. Today his son J.A.M. (Marco) de Waal and other family members form the board that safeguards the continuity of this versatile family business.
Innovation remains our strength
With Mr. J. (Johan) Verlaan of the operating subsidiary, a new course has been set. It builds on the past and tackles challenges in the new world order of sustainability by designing fuel-efficient systems, propulsion and manoeuvring systems for large dredgers and ocean-going ships, and high-tech control and rudder systems for large yachts. Apple founder Steve Jobs was one of the first to come to us for the rudder systems on his super yacht. Will you be next?