Innovative for nearly 100 years
Every company starts with a good idea. For VDL De Meeuw, that was Marinus Cornelis’ mobile shop in 1929. Now, nearly 100 years later, our story marks several milestones. Milestones that form the foundation of our mission and who we are today: an innovative provider of circular flexible solutions. We’d like to take you on a brief journey through our story.
From cart maker to emergency shelter.
Why settle permanently somewhere when you can take your product directly to the customer? That’s exactly what Marinus Cornelis thought in 1929. He started a wagon-making business that, for example, allowed the milkman, greengrocer, and baker to go door-to-door with their products. In about two decades, De Meeuw evolved into a fully-fledged wagon factory known for its quick adaptability. When the 1953 North Sea flood left many people homeless, De Meeuw pulled out all the stops to house those affected in mobile homes during the cold winter months. This ultra-fast housing solution laid the foundation for what came next.
From portable cabin to mobile office
With the reconstruction of the Netherlands in the 1950s, the number of construction sites increased. These sites needed to be equipped with portable cabins. These portable cabins formed the basis for the mobile office.
From linear to circular
Adapting smartly to current issues is in our DNA. For example, in 1973, in the middle of the oil crisis, we laid the foundation for our circular business model. In other words: keeping industrially manufactured buildings from our own production facility in circulation indefinitely. All based on the same principle: not more, but smarter production.
Sustainable at the core
In 1992, we introduced concrete floors, allowing us to build up to ten stories high. Always with sustainability in mind. Because if a building is no longer needed, we take it back. We refurbish it and give it a new life, possibly with a different function. This circular approach results in a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions and 95% less waste.
Always the space you need
The move to multi-use real estate was only a matter of time. With the launch of the One Platform construction system in 2016, we started offering not only commercial solutions but also residential buildings. From circular schools to apartments, offices, and care hotels, we provide a solution for various sectors—large or small, temporary or permanent—always delivering the space you need.
On the path to Net Zero
We have now grown into a full-service provider of circular flexible housing. With over 250 employees and a massive production facility in Oirschot, staying still is not in our vocabulary. Since last year, we have been an official part of the VDL Group, laying a strong foundation for further growth. As VDL De Meeuw, we are working towards our next milestone: our 100th anniversary in 2029.
Our goal is clear: we aim to be fully Net Zero by that year. Therefore, we are investing heavily in improving productivity and further sustainability of our products in the coming years. We believe that by smartly mechanizing and automating, we will be able to increase production by a factor of 4. Additionally, by using more biobased materials and keeping buildings in circulation for longer, we will further reduce our carbon footprint. We’re excited for what lies ahead!