Marquesas Netherlands: Powder coating Culemborg is the new milestone in 15-year existence

What began with two people in a small hall in Meerkerk, the Netherlands, has grown in fifteen years into a leading player in sun protection. Markiezen Nederland is known for its short lines, reliable deliveries and a wide range of customized products. Yet it did not stop there: the company invests heavily in technology, process optimization and vertical integration.

“To be honest, in early 2024 we thought: let's take it easy,” the visibly inspired Aart van den Berg and Johan Hol, the two owners, tell us. “But that's just not in our DNA. For us, standing still feels like going backwards, to use a catchphrase. So once we started gathering ideas again, things immediately went full speed ahead. Faster than ever, we would even say.”

Those ideas led to the largest years of investment in the company's history. These included investments in a new truck and an advanced jobbing machine for the cloth department. But the biggest news is the founding of a second company: Poedercoating Culemborg, located in newly acquired premises on the Pavijen industrial estate.

Powder coating line at full speed

What began as a small-scale idea to powder coat its own parts has now grown into a serious powder coating company. “The demand for high-quality powder coating increased, both internally and externally. Our large range of tubes and profiles is also well liked in awning country. When suitable premises became available, we moved quickly. Within a few weeks the deal was done,” says Johan.

Meanwhile, the new powder coating line is running at full speed. The start-up phase was not without its ups and downs: from technical teething problems to staff training but the result is a modern, self-contained powder coating plant fully equipped for serial production for the awning industry. “In fact, things are going so well that we have overcapacity and are able to add customers. Even in our own region of Culemborg, more and more companies are finding their way to Poedercoating Culemborg.”

Internally at Markiezen Nederland, things did not stay the same either. The production process itself was optimized to respond even more flexibly to customer demands. Think of new software, adjusted routing, and above all a mentality of continuous improvement.

Team culture

What stands out is the strong team culture within the company. Johan: “Our people know what they are doing, provide structure and are very involved in our company. Thanks to them, we as management can be precisely occupied with entrepreneurship, innovation, connecting with customers and inventing new opportunities. That is worth its weight in gold and we are careful about that.”

Those new opportunities continue to present themselves, such as installing an in-house blasting booth. “In powder coating, it regularly happens that parts have to be blasted first. We now do small pieces ourselves, but for large volumes we still depend on third parties. We want to solve that with our own installation,” said Johan and Aart.

For the specialist trade, all this means above all: cooperation with a supplier that continues to invest in quality, speed and flexibility. Not only in products, but also in processes and partnership. Markiezen Nederland and Poedercoating Culemborg show that production, innovation and entrepreneurship can go together very well, provided that every day - but really every day - you keep looking at what can be improved.