VDL Groep wins Dutch Innovation Award
Photo: Elvin Boer
VDL Groep has won the 2019 Dutch Innovation Award. This award is a recognition of the innovative strength and social impact of this family company, which has its head office in Eindhoven. VDL was awarded the innovation award for its new pioneering solutions and technologies, its focus on its employees, entrepreneurship and cooperation. The 2019 Dutch Innovation Award will be presented during De Wereld van Morgen, the TV programme being broadcast on AVROTROS this evening from 8.30 pm on NPO1.
‘Jewel of the manufacturing industry’
During the announcement in the Kurhaus in Scheveningen, the jury praised many aspects of VDL Groep. “VDL is leading in using new technologies and innovation is in the DNA”, stated Jury Chairperson Henk Volberda, also Professor of Strategy and Innovation. As Director of the Amsterdam Centre for Business Innovation, Volberda is connected to the Amsterdam Business School, part of the University of Amsterdam. “VDL Groep is making substantial investments in research & development and the combination of automation and focus on employees leads to new employment opportunities. Where others see threats, VDL sees opportunities. They have made multiple important contributions towards developing sustainable solutions. VDL is the jewel of the manufacturing industry.”
Innovation Monitor
The 2019 Dutch Innovation Award is part of the Dutch Innovation Monitor. This large-scale study into innovation is conducted annually in the Netherlands by the Amsterdam Business School’s Amsterdam Centre for Business Innovation, which is affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. Over 5,000 organisations from a broad range of sectors are invited to participate in the study. Based on the participating organisations (approximately 800) and interviews with the companies, the following three companies remained: D2D Water Solutions from Hardenberg, Hanskamp Agro Tech from Doetinchem and VDL Groep from Eindhoven.
‘Fantastic recognition’
Member of the VDL Groep Management Board, Jennifer van der Leegte, accepted the 2019 Dutch Innovation Award in Scheveningen. “This is a fantastic recognition for our almost 17,000 employees who work hard every single day at our 104 national and international companies to make our world smarter, faster, better and greener. Our activities are, of course, extremely broad and diverse. For instance, we are working on research into the smallest particle on earth, components for the CERN particle accelerator in Switzerland, as well as on research into the largest component on earth: the support structures for the mirrors in the largest telescope in the world, which is being constructed in Chili, and everything in between. And don’t forget that we are European leader in the electrification of heavy transport, buses, trucks and automated guided vehicles. With our electric vehicles, we are contributing to a cleaner and quieter environment.”