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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.
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