145 years of Innovating transport solutions

since 1881

Discover our trailers About Nooteboom

From smithy to ‘Trendsetter in Trailers’ that Gets you there

Marinka Nooteboom is General Manager of the Koninklijke Nooteboom Group. The first woman to take the helm of the family company that was founded in 1881 by her great-great-grandfather, the blacksmith Willem Nooteboom. The Nooteboom family business went through a huge evolution from 1881 to the 21st century. From smithy to carriage builder, from producer of tippers and cranes, to low-loaders with swivel axles and solutions for abnormal transport.

About us

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.