Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Wim van der Valk retires: Management buyout of Dutch Shipyard

by Van der Valk Shipyard 20 Apr 2024 22:58 PDT
Wim van der Valk © Van der Valk Shipyard

Having been at the helm of the shipyard that bears his name since its foundation in 1967, Wim van der Valk marked his 79th birthday on 18 April by officially confirming his retirement.

A management buyout of Van der Valk's shares in the yard has taken place, financially supported by a family of experienced yacht owners who have previously commissioned three custom superyachts from Van der Valk Shipyard; LeVen, EDGE and Lady Lene. With a full order book stretching well into 2026, including the largest superyacht built to date, confidence in the future is high.

Van der Valk has firmly established itself in recent years as one of the only yards in the world with the capacity and flexibility to build all-custom superyachts up to 45 metres in length. It has over 9000 m" of state-of-the-art facilities at its location in Waalwijk (NL), opening its seventh construction hall last November. The management team of Enrico Theuns, Bram Kooltjes and Yoeri Bijker can leverage on decades of combined experience in the high-end yachting industry and will continue to enjoy the ongoing support of President Emeritus Wim van der Valk as an advisor to the board.

"The significant capital investment will enable Van der Valk to continue growing our unique niche in the market for bespoke yachts between 25 and 45 metres," comments head of sales Yoeri Bijker. "The new primary shareholders fully understand our yard's ethos having built several award-winning yachts with us and are committed to ensuring Van der Valk retains its Dutch structure, heritage and quality. We have a solid financial future as an independent entity with various options available for further expansion. Wim's unrivalled legacy could not be in safer hands."

Related Articles

5.5 Metre titles head to Poland for the first time
Scandinavian Gold Cup and World Championship to be held back to back Over the next 12 days the International 5.5 Metre Class heads to Sopot in Poland for the Scandinavian Gold Cup and World Championship. It is the first time the class has held any of its major events in Poland. Posted today at 3:37 pm
Robert Burke on HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility
Robert Burke discusses the upcoming closure of HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility Community sailing organizations are a fantastic and affordable way of drawing new sailors into the sport. Unfortunately, the Hudson River Community Sailing is being forced to close one of its two locations in January. Posted today at 3:00 pm
Mirror dinghy Tuning Guide with Ben McGrane
A detailed guide to maximising speed with Hyde Mirror Sails Continuing the new series of tuning videos from Hyde Sails, One Design Sales Manager Ben McGrane gives a detailed guide to maximising speed with Hyde Mirror Sails. Posted today at 1:30 pm
Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang for larger yachts
Specifically sized for yachts measuring between 50 and 55 feet A rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing, preventing the boom from falling into the cockpit or onto the coach roof. Equipped with gas springs, it automatically elevates the boom upon release of the kicking strap. Posted today at 11:00 am
SailGP Racing on the Edge Season 5 Episode 5
Los Gallos revisit their SailGP Season 4 triumph Get a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the SailGP Season 4 Champions as they return to winning territory – facing personal and professional challenges head on. Posted today at 9:01 am
Third Annual Rhody Regatta concludes
Rewarding perseverance in 30+ knot breezes The third annual Rhody Regatta will go down in the event's short history as one of the toughest due to demanding winds and formidable waves encountered on an 18-mile course around Conanicut Island. Posted on 2 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans starts Tuesday
The fleet is ready for racing in Thessaloniki, Greece A new chapter begins for the fast doublehanded classes. The Champions from Paris 2024 have mostly either retired or are taking breaks for various reasons, leaving the start of the new quadrennial to a new group of sailors. Posted on 2 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup practice day
Breezy, beautiful Baiona finds favour again with TP52 teams Takashi Okura's Sled team today laid down a marker on the beautiful waters off Baiona, NW Spain as the top performers over the two official practice races sailed today on the eve of the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup. Posted on 2 Jun
RORC centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
All set for another record-breaker Less than two months now remain until the start of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, this year coinciding with the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centenary. Posted on 2 Jun
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, overall
Corinthian Yacht Club puts on top notch performance to win Sustained winds in the low 20-knot range and choppy seas brought on another challenging day in the final stretch of the 2025 Team Racing World Championship. Posted on 2 Jun
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts