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A family owned business since 1881

Nooteboom Trailers BV, a family business founded in 1881, is an international organisation offering their customers complete solutions in the field of abnormal transport. Nooteboom designs and builds trailers of the highest quality with a payload of 20 to 200 tonnes. Nooteboom is always striving to improve by continually investing in the best solutions for their customers. By actually thinking and working in a way that breaks new ground. Whether it concerns the quality of their products, the support they offer via their life-cycle service concept or the many innovative solutions with which
Nooteboom sets the trend time and again.

History Innovation Management

About Nooteboom Trailers

Nooteboom. Gets you there

Nooteboom helps the owners to maximise the total return on their investment due to the low total cost of ownership. This means there is less maintenance to be done in the workshop, the vehicle can be used more efficiently and the driver enjoys the most user-friendly vehicle operation. In a word: Nooteboom. Gets you there.

Nooteboom’s head office is located in Wijchen, the Netherlands, and they have a workforce of more than 500 employees. The turnover of the company is approx. €100 million with a healthy result.

1881-1921: 1st generation

In 1881 26-year-old Willem Nooteboom, son of a blacksmith in Schiebroek, opens his own smithy in the village of Kethel, a stone’s throw from Rotterdam. His activities in those days were making fencing and wrought-iron fittings for houses and doors, and horseshoes. Shrinking the iron tyres for the wooden wheels of carriages was at that time also a job done frequently. After 40 years Willem hands over the company in 1921 to his son Henk Jan Nooteboom.

1921-1939: 2nd generation

When he joins the company in 1921 Henk Jan Nooteboom anticipates growth in vehicles. After taking over the templates of a carriage builder, the Nooteboom Fabriek van Wegtransportmiddelen (Nooteboom Factory of Road transport vehicles) is established. It is an important step from supply company to manufacturer of the end product. They mainly build wagons for cattle farmers, but also carriages for transporting passengers. This activity of building carriages takes place in the days that motor cars are getting more popular. In 1929 son Anton joins the company. He starts to repair motorcars. In 1933 18-year-old Anton decides to extend his knowledge of motorcar engineering. He is employed by car dealer ‘Autohandel Pietersen’. Two years later Anton runs his own business: ‘Garage de Toekomst’. When Henk Jan Nooteboom dies in 1939, Toon Nooteboom takes over the management of the family company.

1939 – 1953: 3rd generation

In 1939 Anton Nooteboom (photo) joins the company that in the next few years will successfully become the producer of modern transport vehicles. During the 1940-45 war Nooteboom develops a formula that means a breakthrough for the company. The production of modern agricultural wagons with air tyres and axles on ball bearings is extremely successful. In 1945 Nooteboom has 10 employees and sells 80 wagons every year. In 1949 the production of tippers and semi-trailers follows and in the same year Anton Nooteboom designs the tail lift. The company specialises in tippers, cranes, tail lifts, trailers and semi-trailers. The hydraulic tipper is the star of the show. This is borne out by the slogan “We are unrivalled Tipper-specialists”. Due to more innovations and inventions the business in Kethel is bursting at the seams. In 1953 Nooteboom invests in new company grounds and a huge shed in Utrecht. The premises in Utrecht become the supply company for the production of hydraulic tippers.

1953 – 1979: 3rd generation

After the flood disaster in Zeeland in 1953 reconstruction begins and there is great demand for low-loaders and draglines. In 1953 Nooteboom builds the first low-loader with detachable axles. When the next order comes in Anton Nooteboom has the idea to equip the low-loader with axles that could swivel. The first low-loader with pendulum axles is born. At that time this transport solution is the absolute pinnacle in low-loader technology. With this innovation Nooteboom leaves all other trailer manufacturers standing. The invention of Anton Nooteboom is a large milestone for the company. In fact it is the first step by Nooteboom into the abnormal road transport sector. In Utrecht the development and production of trailers for abnormal loads begins. That Nooteboom put themselves prominently on the map becomes evident when they get an order from the Dutch Army for 30 low-loaders to transport their AMX tanks.

1967-1979: 4th generation

Anton Nooteboom is involved in the family company until 1979, but in 1967 he gets reinforcements. Dick Nooteboom, after a work placement abroad, is the first son to join the company. In 1970 his brothers Henk and Ton Nooteboom follow. In 1975 Anton’s three sons take a seat on the board. Henk as General Manager, Ton as Purchasing Director and Dick as Sales Director. In 1976 the activities in Schiedam are incorporated in the head office in Utrecht. The facility in Schiedam is shut down.

Opening-Nooteboom-Wijchen-with-Neelie-Smit-Kroes

1979-2010: 4th generation

The takeover of C.M.K. in Wijchen leads to the founding of Nooteboom Trailers B.V. in Wijchen. Exports increase substantially and an international parts distribution system is established. In 1977 the foundation stone is laid for brand-new premises with more than 11,000 m2 work space. The facility is officially opened in 1979 by Neelie Smit-Kroes, then Minister of Transport and Public Works. After 40 years Toon Nooteboom hands over the family company to his sons in 1979. At his departure Anton points out the success factor of Nooteboom: “We build vehicles that have value and keep their value throughout their lifespan of 30 years.” That advice did not fall on deaf ears because used Nooteboom trailers still have the highest market value. On the occasion of their centenary in 1981 the family company is awarded the royal designation ‘Koninklijk’, based on their unique position in the transport sector. In 2006 Nooteboom takes over the company Floor Trailers (also based in Wijchen) and Kennis Trailers. This also lays the foundation for the Nooteboom Group. The entire group is now composed of Nooteboom Trailers, Nooteboom Trailers Occasion Sales (NTOS) and Nooteboom Floor Trailer Service (NFTS).

2010-2012: 4th generation

In April 2010 the Kennis and Floor brands are sold to Pacton Trailers in Ommen. The selling of both brands by the Nooteboom Group stems from a strategic review, in response to the credit crunch, in which Nooteboom takes the decision to concentrate solely on the abnormal road transport market, on innovations and client developments for their international customer base in the special transport sector. That is also the reason why NFTS continues under the name Nooteboom Trailer Service and NTOS under the name Nooteboom Global Trailer Centre. The Koninklijke Nooteboom Group in Wijchen now consists of three subsidiaries that specialise in the development, production, service provision and sales of transport solutions for abnormal transport. Nooteboom, being a ‘Trendsetter in Trailers’, aims to meet any requirements in the market with new products. This is a challenging and continuous process. It is their policy to visibly and structurally invest in customers, knowledge and quality.

2012 – 2015: 5th generation: Marinka Nooteboom

In 2012 Marinka Nooteboom, daughter of Henk Nooteboom, is appointed General Manager of the Koninklijke Nooteboom Group, a company with a workforce of 500. She previously had a successful career in banking. Efficient management and optimisation the production process are important areas needing special attention because Marinka Nooteboom takes over the helm during the European recession. However, at a time when savings need to be made Nooteboom will continue to invest in quality, service and innovation. While making sure that the cost price for high-quality vehicles remains competitive. After the low point of the pan-European crisis, a revival will follow in 2013 and 2014. The work stock is up to standard and the intake of orders is increasing successively. After years of cutbacks, transport companies are ready to replace their rolling stock. Investments in product innovation, even in times of crisis, are yielding positive results. In 2013, the newest showpiece, the PXE low-loader with 9 axle lines, turned out to be a bull’s eye. The prominent position in transport solutions for wind turbines is also proving valuable.

2015 – now: 5th generation: Marinka Nooteboom

In 2015 Nooteboom will introduce the Manoovr semi low-loader at the Bedrijfsauto RAI in Amsterdam. With this groundbreaking innovation, Nooteboom wins numerous international innovation awards. In the years that followed, several innovations followed, including the Longrunner, the largest 6-axle Euro-PX low-loader with 4-axle Interdolly and the lightweight extendable wheel wells semi low-loader. In addition to product innovation, process innovation is also playing an increasingly prominent role and the first robots are entering the company. Efficient business operations and optimization of the production process are important areas for attention. Despite the corona pandemic, Nooteboom is able to close 2020 with a good result and the order book is very well filled. In order to meet the increasing international demand for Nooteboom vehicles, production capacity will be further increased.

Strategy

Build to last

At Nooteboom the customer occupies centre stage. Everything is being done to give the customers of Nooteboom the best possible support. From the delivery of the trailers, the maintenance and the service to part-exchange and the delivery of a refurbished trailer. Continuity is a priority. For the use of Nooteboom trailers, but also for the cooperation with their customers. For many years now Nooteboom has applied a clear and consistent design philosophy so that the customers know what to expect if they invest in a Nooteboom trailer. But the service Nooteboom provides doesn’t stop with the delivery of new trailers. Nooteboom focuses on the entire life cycle of the vehicle: from newly-built, service & overhaul to parts & merchandising and buying/selling of used vehicles.

Sustainability

Nooteboom works in various areas on making their activities more sustainable. This is not only important for the environment but also for Nooteboom and their customers. Because being successful in a sustainable way goes hand in hand with running a responsible enterprise.

Efficient use of materials and resources
During the production process raw materials are used in many ways. Reusing materials; applying carefully chosen paints and conservation agents that contain the smallest possible amount of harmful substances; using less water and energy during the production process; avoid wasting materials by producing without errors. This all helps.

More sustainable set-up of production processes and working environments
Closely monitoring the waste streams; reducing the energy consumption in the production and the offices by reorganising the offices and production environment; improvement of the production streams by implementing LEAN methodologies. These will reduce the impact of the production process on the environment.

Improving the environmental performance of Nooteboom trailers by factoring this in from the very first design phase
In the engineering phase of a trailer efforts are always made to find smarter designs and use of materials in order to improve the environmental performance of the Nooteboom trailers. By using lighter materials and components; designing intelligent systems to reduce wear; extending the service life by using top-quality materials and building robust constructions which give the trailers a longer life.

Values

Our values

Nooteboom has a genuine interest in what really occupies their customers. Where their challenges lie and how they can be helped with the best solutions for their transport issues. With this understanding, a sound design philosophy and superior production skills the Nooteboom customers can be offered the highest added value.

The Nooteboom customers must be able to rely on their products and therefore they have access to a service network that is always and everywhere available to them. Nooteboom always goes one step further because these factors are critical for the success of our customers.

Nooteboom has already been setting the trend for more than 135 years. Whether it concerns clever technical solutions, new service concepts or international support. Nooteboom actually breaks new ground. There is always room for improvement. That’s why they welcome new challenges and are open to innovation.

Nooteboom delivers products to their customers that have the lowest “Total Cost of Ownership” because the trailers need very little maintenance, perform the best and have the highest trade-in value. Products that are manufactured to provide maximum profit in the supply chain of their customers.

Part of Nooteboom

Our trailer services

Nooteboom Trailers

Market leader in Europe in the development and production of vehicles for abnormal road transport with a payload of 20 to 200 tonnes.

Nooteboom Trailers B.V.

Trailer Service

Provides maintenance, service, upgrading and refurbishment of vehicles.

More info

Nooteboom Parts

Nooteboom original parts, online and offline ordering combined with extensive know-how.

www.nooteboomparts.com

Global trailer center

Specialist in buying/selling all makes of used tractors and trailers for abnormal road transport.

More info

Interested in joining
team Nooteboom?

Being part of the unique family culture (DNA) of TEAM Nooteboom means interacting in an informal atmosphere and where people accept you as you are. With expertise teams, we strive for optimal innovative, safe and reliable trailers for special transport through knowledge and skills. No matter what contribution, or where you are in the (realisation) process.

Vacancies Careers at Nooteboom

Engineering that defined Special Transport

More than 145 years of innovations

Innovation has been part of Nooteboom Trailers’ DNA for 145 years. Since 1881, we have combined craftsmanship and technical expertise to develop transport solutions that set the standard in heavy and special transport. With groundbreaking innovations such as the first low-loader with steered pendulum axles, the iconic EURO low-loaders, the award-winning MANOOVR technology, and advanced solutions for wind transport, we continue to push boundaries time and time again. In doing so, we provide customers worldwide with efficient, reliable, and future-proof transport solutions.

Nooteboom 145 jaar logo