"Venlo is home to nearly 1,300 companies in one of its 20 business parks with a total area of over 1,500 hectares, accounting for around 31,000 jobs. The North Limburg manufacturing industry significantly underpins the regional economy: almost three hundred manufacturing companies generate €7.5 billion in value annually, 33 per cent of the Gross Regional Product (GRP). Some 20 of these companies are global market leaders. One-fifth of the BRP is accounted for by logistics and trade and one-sixth by agriculture." Thus the prologue in the book titled: 'Working hard, looking forward, keeping faith'
Why enterprising Venlo so much world market leaders and other champions.
Entrepreneurial Venlo is proud to be the fourth-largest business park and the largest BIZ in the Netherlands today. The entrepreneurial climate has produced many global market leaders. On his farewell as chairman of Ondernemend Venlo in 2023, Peter Thissen was given the gift to start making a book about and featuring those world market leaders of Venlo. That book is nearing completion and will be presented on Wednesday 2 October.
The book features interviews with 21 representatives of companies that are each global market leaders in their fields. The companies are: Mifa (Aalberts Industries), Addit B.V., Cabooter Group, Canon Production Printing BV (Océ), Dejatech Ges BV, Elmec, Gipmans Group Company, GTL Europe BV, Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering, Leolux, Leurs Tuincentrum, MGG Netherlands B.V., Pentair Haffmans, Poeth B.V., Scelta Mushrooms BV, Scheuten Glass Holding B.V., Seacon Logistics, Sormac B.V., Teeuwen Kleiwaren, The Jekill&Hyde Company and Vostermans Companies. In a comprehensive chapter, not only Peter Thissen appears at length to talk about the company Thissen Installatietechniek, later Unica of which he was director for many years. Connoisseurs of Venlo's entrepreneurial life also relate their experiences. The stories were written by Will Gerritsen, former journalist at De Limburger, after extensive interviews, mostly in the presence of Peter Thissen.
The book comprises more than 200 pages. Each interview is enlivened with photographs and is done in a handsome hardcover design.
Even before the sale starts on 2 October, you can be assured of one or more copies. To do so, fill in the ORDER FOR BOOK completely and send it to the address listed. You will receive more information later about your order and how you will receive the book.
If you have any questions, please send an email to gerardine.schreurs@ondernemendvenlo.nl
Venlo can be even prouder of its entrepreneurs. This book is the proof.
