our History

The Founder

Long before he set up his own company the founder of Van West Holland, W van West, had been a skilled professional. As Chief Mechanical Engineer and Inspector of Technical Services with the Koninklijke Hollandsche Lloyds shipping company in Amsterdam he gained a wide experience in everything to do with shipping. Lloyds used to equip its vessels with refrigeration equipment supplied by the English firm J&E Hall Ltd. When the ships docked in the port of Amsterdam, often after a very long voyage, various parts would either need repair or replacement.

W van West realised that only very few firms in Amsterdam specialised in the repair of refrigeration equipment. He therefore decided to exploit this niche in the market and in 1923 he founded the Fa. Van West. Located in the Hamerstraat 24 in Amsterdam the firm specialised in repairing engine parts for steam engines and manufacturing refrigeration equipment and piston rings for ships' diesel engines.

Foundation

From the very beginning the essence of the Fa van West was to buy in used parts from breakers yards which continues to this day. Being able to buy cheap meant that customers could be assured of a fair deal. In addition customers could also rely on lasting quality because having been expertly repaired by Van West each part was ready for re-use as a first class new product.

Fa. W van West stood for skill and quality right from the beginning which is why the company was able to build up a substantial customer base within a few years among which prestigious companies such as Koninklijke Hollandsche Lloyds (Royal Dutch Lloyds) KNSM [Royal Dutch Steamship Company) and many others. Turnover increased steadily as did the workforce which consisted of skilled turners and fitters.

Inventions

By 1927 the company had outgrown its premises and a large extension was built. Van West's order book grew ever larger and even during the great recession of the nineteen thirties the company was able to continue as normal. This was due in no small measure to the innovative way in which its founder managed to turn one idea after the other into reality.

He designed compressors specifically for the refrigeration equipment of the KNSM, he patented his "Unionveer" invention and invested in grinders to optimise the production of piston rings. The latter led to the invention of a unique piece of equipment to accurately tension piston rings. Large ships such as those of the SMN fleet were equipped entirely with Van West piston rings.

Innovative

Having participated in his first major trade fair in 1960 the founding member of the company, W van West passed away. In 1971 Pieter van West moved the production department for refrigeration equipment to a separate location in Heerde. In that same year the name of the company was changed to Van West Holland BV. In 1972 grandson Wouter van West joined the organisation as a salesman in the port of Rotterdam. He was extremely knowledgeable about ships diesel engines and other engine room parts having gained considerable experience and expertise as a marine engineer with Nedlloyd.

Exactly one year later the 50th anniverary of the company was celebrated in the Nimorina marina in Monnickendam. The year 1973 was not just a milestone, but also a time for renewal. The piston ring department was strengthened by the start of its association with the Standard Piston Ring Company in Sheffield, England. Grandson Johan van West who was studying engineering completed his practical year with this company, specialising in mechanical engineering. Following a stint in the Dutch Royal Navy he eventually joined Van West Holland in 1977.

Move to Ijmuiden

As a result of ever growing stocks as well as its expanding machine park, the Van West Holland premises, which in the meantime had been extended by 1000m2, had once again become too small. For this reason, as well as the fact that the company's export trade had grown by no less than 50% as a result of supplying growing numbers of shipping companies in countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Greece, the company moved to its current premises in Umuiden in 1980. Initially the welding department remained in Amsterdam where it continued for another two years, but following the sale of the old premises in 1982 this department was also moved to Ujmuiden and entirely modernised. In the same year Van West Holland installed its first contemporary CNC carrousel Berthiez lathe which would lead to substantial reductions in production time.