VDL executive vice president Wim Maathuis retires
After 42 years of service, Wim Maathuis is retiring today. 65-year-old Wim Maathuis has been one of the pillars of VDL Groep, having since 1975 experienced everything that has taken place at the industrial family company with its head office in Eindhoven.
Wim Maathuis began his career as a salesman at VD Leegte Metaal in Hapert. At the time it was VDL's only company, with approximately 100 employees and a turnover of 1.5 million euros. In 1981, Wim Maathuis took on the role of managing director at VD Leegte Metaal. After founder Pieter van der Leegte and owner Wim van der Leegte, Wim Maathuis was the third managing director of this first company. Wim Maathuis became a member of the VDL Groep Board of Management when it was established in 1984, and has been so ever since.
Supervisor
During his time as a member of the Board of Management, Wim Maathuis was supervisor of a total of fourteen VDL companies. At VDL Groep, supervisors serve as sparring partners for managing directors and represent the companies during board meetings. Wim Maathuis remained managing director of VD Leegte Metaal until 2006. At the time of his retirement VDL Groep is on its way to achieving an annual turnover of 5 billion euros, with nearly 16,000 employees and 93 companies in 19 countries.
President and Chairman of the Board Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep: “With his versatile nature, Wim has meant a lot for our company and our employees over the last 42 years.” Supervisory director Wim van der Leegte of VDL Groep: “Wim and I have been through a lot during those 42 years: acquisitions and problems as a result of crises, such as in 1993 and 2009. I'm proud of how we weathered all the storms and, above all, how well we worked together.”