Past and future
Koolwijk has over 100 years of experience in the transport business. Our company continues to grow and build upon its track record of success. This timeline shows how our company has evolved over time.
How Koolwijk began: 1922
Koolwijk began as a local carrier. Piet Koolwijk Sr. transported milk churns from farmers to the local dairy by horse and cart. His regular routes within the Lopikerwaard region of the Netherlands stretched to the nearby towns of Schoonhoven and IJsselstein. For the first ten years, Piet travelled by horse and cart before upgrading to a Chevrolet truck. We don't know too much about that period, but he always had support from the farmers across the region. In those days you rode with the rhythm of nature: when the cows were milked (twice a day), which, of course, only took place when there were calves. So that meant quiet times during the winter. To fill the gap, Piet began transporting other agricultural products to market, such as sugar beets and grain.
1922
Company founded by Piet Koolwijk
One of the oldest pictures: Posing for the photographer. In those days, taking a picture was truly a special moment.
1922
1922-89
Working from home
It was here in Polsbroek that the company got its start.
1932
Renewal
Chevrolet replaces horse and carriage
1932
1940-45
Special permit for milk transport
During the war years, Koolwijk took in a refugee, Evert Muilwijk from Streefkerk, a young man who had gone underground to hide from the Arbeitseinsatz. Even though he was hiding out, he was still expected to roll up his sleeves. So he started riding along on Piet's milk route. He ended up working with Koolwijk for another 20-25 years.
1960
Grain, whey and sugar beets
In addition to milk, Piet also transported grain, whey and sugar beets
1960
1964
Arie Koolwijk director
Grandpa Koolwijk dies. Arie officially takes over the business six months later at age 21.
BB-00-77
The day Piet was born. Arie remembers it like it was yesterday: "We had just bought a new truck. Beautiful machine, and I immediately said, 'I'm going for a ride.' That night, my wife went into labour. In the end, Gijs de Jong took it out for a spin." Gijs: "I remember that, too. I was proud as a peacock. Such a beautiful truck." BB-00-77.'
1964-65
Distribution of milk powder
Distribution of milk powder for Nestlé in South Holland
1964-65
1969
Exemption to the driving hours law
An exemption to the driving hours law allows for milk to be transported by mornings and evenings
1970
Working for shipping companies
End of milk transport and pivot to working for shipping companies
1970
1976
Scania 51 truck
On 17 May 1976, Arie bought this Scania 51, which is still owned by the company today. This Scania replaced the Ford in the photo (opposite) (below) (in the other photo).
1978
Transport partner SBC
Transport partner for SBC for container transport
1978
1989
Move to Bergambacht
Growing to become Koolwijk
As a young new company owner, Arie Koolwijk was constantly on the lookout for ways to continue growing the business throughout the year. He started with milk-related products, such as milk powder from Nestlé's factory in Friesland. The rapid expansion of the Port of Rotterdam after World War II and later the introduction of shipping containers allowed the transport company to grow. The freight became different, the distances became longer, the destinations international. After moving the company from Polsbroek to Bergambacht, there was also literally room to offer more services: planning, clearing, storage, administration and, of course, maintenance of the trucks in the company's own workshop.
1990
Customs warehouse opening
The noses: Striking appearance in the 1990s. Koolwijk had two.
1990
2000
Construction warehouse
Construction of our 20,000-square-foot warehouse.
Professionalisation
The age of pioneering and multiple growth spurts was followed by a period of stability: improving what was going well and changing what needed to be changed. That's how Koolwijk, led by Arie and later by Piet, developed into an important supply chain partner with logistics solutions such as multimodal transport, warehousing, customs services and value-added logistics. The introduction of new techniques and capabilities made Koolwijk Logistics a modern, logistics specialist with a strong reputation in the industry.
2004
Piet Koolwijk in management
Piet takes over day-to-day management from Arie
2004
2018
Commissioning of unloading robot
2022
Celebrating 100 years of Koolwijk
To mark this anniversary year, we decorated our newest Scania CR20H and DAF XG (fleet numbers 272 and 273) with "100 years."
2022
Anniversary edition magazine
We are proud of the road we've travelled together. That's why we've produced this special anniversary issue to mark our 100th anniversary in 2022: From Milk Churns to Shipping Containers.
Anniversary video
Rather watch instead of read? Check out the video we made to celebrate our 100-year anniversary.
2023
Dave Koolwijk joins the Board of Directors
The fourth generation joins the management team of the Koolwijk family business: In June 2023, Dave Koolwijk officially joined the board of directors. He now leads Koolwijk alongside Piet. Together, they are working hard to secure a bright, stable future for Koolwijk. Piet and Dave aim to continue our current strategy and expand the business where possible. Despite our continual growth, Koolwijk's services will remain the same. Of course, our 75 green-and-yellow trucks will continue to colour the roads.
2023
Future
Koolwijk is a family-owned business with an impressive past, but there's still much to look forward to in the future. We were an early adopter of intermodal transport (rail, water and road) and designed our business to support this approach. We are constantly adapting to meet the needs of our customers and the changing demands of the market. We also take seriously our responsibilities as a good employer. And we are continuously working on sustainable business practices to minimise our impact on the environment. The Koolwijk family has been leading our company for four generations. In short, our company's mentality can be summed up in one phrase: "Bring it on." We'll give it all we've got. Ready to join us?
From milk churns to shipping containers.
Times have changed…
Ready to work with us?
Koolwijk Polsbroek B.V.
Shipping container transport
Tipper containers
Refrigerated containers (Genset)
General cargo
Multimodal transport
Transportstraat 2
2861 DZ Bergambacht
Koolwijk Expeditie B.V.
Clearance
Fiscal Representation
Import / export
Ocean Freight
Customs documents
Transportstraat 2
2861 DZ Bergambacht
Koolwijk Op- en Overslag B.V.
Warehousing
Cross docking
Customs storage
Order picking
Gas measuring
Transportstraat 2
2861 DZ Bergambacht
