Shipyard Royal Bodewes from Hoogezand has won the Groningen Business Award 2024.
Bodewes beat the two other finalists, furniture and interior rental company Keypro and online engine parts trading company Wilmink Engine Parts. The awards were handed out on November 22nd by King’s Commissioner René Paas.
According to the GIC, the jury of the Groningen Business Award (Groninger Ondernemingsprijs) concluded that this choice shows that shipbuilding still has a future in Groningen, which has been its home traditionally for centuries.
“The sector was and is part of Groningen’s DNA and the successful construction of ‘the ships of today, fully prepared for the future’ is clearly appropriate here. An entire region is gratefully benefiting from it. If not directly financially and economically, then certainly with pride,” the jury said.
The jury also appreciated Bodewes’ attention to sustainability. For example, Bodewes is committed to repairing ships locally as much as possible. So when a shipowner from Asia orders a ship in Hoogezand they buy the parts locally whenever they can.
Nienke Bodewes accepted the award and said she was especially proud of her family. Her father Herman initially didn’t think it was such a good idea to participate in the competition, so they decided to do it secretly, Bodewes said.
“That is why we are all here now. We always celebrate parties for someone else when a ship is launched. Now we are celebrating ourselves. We are really proud!”
