Passion and craftsmanship on the Extended High Clay: entrepreneurs in the spotlight
Recently, Alderman Laurens van Doeveren, together with business contact officers from the municipality of Wassenaar, visited two special companies on the Verlengde Hoge Klei: The Ocean Rowing Company and Bouwbedrijf Van der Kooij. Entrepreneurs were given the space to share their experiences and discuss current challenges.
Rowing at the world level
At Verlengde Hoge Klei 52 is home to The Ocean Rowing Company. This innovative company owned by founder Mark Slats designs and manufactures ocean rowing boats for one, two or four people. The boats are known as the lightest on the market, with great attention to comfort and effectiveness. In doing so, the company takes ocean rowing as a sport to the next level. The company produces fully equipped boats, ready for use by competitive rowers and other interested parties from all over the world. The production halls leave fully equipped boats, ready for competitions.
Mark Slats and the Atlantic Challenge
In addition to building boats, the company profiles itself as an ocean rowing community: knowledge and personal experiences are actively shared with customers, who are encouraged to take on the adventure themselves. Mark has made his name in the world's toughest ocean rowing race. He broke the world solo rowing record in 2017 and set a duo record in 2020. Last year he won, along with one of the regulars with team Row4Cancer. In December, he will row another 3,000 miles from La Gomera to Antigua, this time on a top international team.
Craftsmanship from window frame to complete renovation
Just down the road, at Verlengde Hoge Klei 56-58, is Bouwbedrijf Van der Kooij. This family business supervises projects and performs a variety of work: from the installation of a new window frame to the complete renovation of a home or commercial space. In the workshop, wood is processed and profiled. The company consists of owners Mark van der Kooij and Richard Rooijakkers, and apprentice John Dreef. Although Van der Kooij has offered itself as a learning company with schools, it proves difficult to enthuse young people about a career in construction. They work a lot with local freelancers such as plumbers and flooring contractors.
Sustainability is key
The vast majority of clients are in Wassenaar. The company also advises on making homes more sustainable and always strives for sustainable solutions. Their building has 40 solar panels on the roof. Finally, it may be said that their workshop looked excellent.
Alderman Laurens van Doeveren: "The conversations during these company visits really bring us into contact with the people behind the company and provide valuable insights. It is wonderful to see how people use their passion and craftsmanship and also radiate this in their work. This enthusiasm is contagious and makes these companies real pearls in our municipality."
Several business visits are scheduled in the coming period. As a business owner, would you also like to speak to the Alderman ? Then get in touch at economie@wassenaar.nl.