The ambassadorial couple started the day in Yerseke in a replica of the Catshuis, the home of Ad and Alize Dorst. After a tour of the house, which is full of historical anecdotes, a presentation was given about the company Maas & Hagoort, of which Dorst is co-owner. The family business makes designs for lighting in monumental buildings. For example, Hoekstra recognized the residence of the Dutch ambassador in Washington for which Maas & Hagoort supplied the lighting plan.
The company Adri & Zoon in Yerseke introduced the Ambassador to what the sea has to offer. Adri Bruijnooge, who runs the company together with his wife Inge and daughter Marie-Anniek, explained how they have grown from a small family business to a total supplier of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. The corona measures did not allow a tour on the shop floor. That is why a film showed how the fish is filleted and further processed.
Bruijnooge prayed the “Our Father” in English, after which a delicious lunch was served in various courses, to that the shellfish could be tasted. At the same time, representatives of other companies were given the opportunity to present themselves. They presented matters that they encounter in their business operations in cooperation with the US to the ambassador, such as the differences in standards and certifications being use. In a relaxed way, Hoekstra was able to answer the questions he was asked.
From Yerseke, the trip went on to Tholen. The Ambassador’s security detail performed an extraordinary job there. They had arrived earlier and went to refuel quickly. At the gas station they saw a number of people together. There turned out to be two people who wanted to steal a car but ran away. The security guards, with a police mandate, managed to catch one of them after a chase.
Profielnorm BV is investigating expansion to America, which was the reason for the initiator of this day, Henk Jan van Schothorst of Transatlantic Christian Council (TCC), to have the ambassador also visit this Tholen family business. Profielnorm, led by Jos and Heleen Schot and their children, specializes in the design and production of mezzanine floors. These are freestanding steel constructions that create extra floors in business units or distribution centers.
After opening branches in the United Kingdom and Poland, the company now focuses on the United States. Hoekstra was impressed by the automated design and production process and visited the factory, where the characteristic cold formed system profiles roll off the production lines.
The company talked to Hoekstra about a number of dilemmas surrounding their expansion plan, such as how to select the best location, and which set-up is most suitable? As a former businessman, Hoekstra proved to be able to deal with these issues, and emphasized that the United States is keen to cooperate with Dutch companies and wants to further strengthen the already good relationship.
Original article online Dutch Newspaper Reformatorisch Dagblad