Evert Mooijer, the man who made Klaas Puul one of Europe's largest seafood processing companies, has passed away. The notification has been issued by his family. Mooijer was one of the most renowned and successful entrepreneurs of Volendam. He had been ill for some time.
Becoming big in prawns and shrimps. This is the dream of the young teenager Evert Mooijer when he is helping out in his father's business. It is the mid-1960s and Klaas Puul is a fishmonger on the Frederik Hendrikstraat in Amsterdam. But the young Evert has bigger plans. In the decades that follow, the company grows from a small business run from a garage in Volendam into a seafood empire with locations in seven countries, with a turnover of about 200 million euros and around 3,500 employees. Klaas Puul has been the main employer in Volendam and Edam for many years. In addition to prawns and shrimps, the company now also supplies fruits-de-mer, crayfish and smoked salmon. Fresh as well as frozen, and always in compliance with the highest quality standards.
Passion
Energetic, perfectionist and passionate. These are but a few of Evert's character traits. He also possessed a healthy dose of courage. When, in 1989, the home peeling of shrimps is prohibited by law, he, as a true entrepreneur, takes a bold step with the building of a new peeling plant in Tangier, Morocco. 'It was a huge investment, which was not without risks', says Sander van den Berg, the company's current CEO. 'And there have been more defining moments in which Evert dared to take steps that others didn't. Evert didn't spend much time studying extensive prognoses and cost-benefit analyses. He made them on the back of a beer mat and, after that, he mostly followed his instincts. And they seldom let them down. He was a unique entrepreneur in many ways, and a remarkable person.'
New plant in Volendam
Five years ago, Evert Mooijer handed over the day to day management of Klaas Puul. Investment company H2 Equity Partners now owns just over fifty percent of the shares. He was, however, up to the last moment involved in the company of which he had been at the helm for decades. Only seven months ago, Evert Mooijer laid the first stone of the new main office in Volendam. He did this together with his wife Gaartje and their grandchildren. In addition to the new office on the Lupinestraat, a new fresh products plant of 5,500 square metres will be realised. In the neighbouring town of Edam, the current frozen products plant will be expanded with 3,500 square metres. 'Both new locations will comply with the highest possible hygiene and food safety standards. With these new plants, we are definitely ready for the next 25 years', says Van den Berg. 'The company is in excellent shape. We will absolutely miss his bold entrepreneurship and passion, but Evert will always be part of Klaas Puul.'
Funeral service
Evert Mooijer will be buried in the presence of his family and close friends. The Management and all employees at home and abroad offer his family and friends their sincere condolences and strength to cope with this huge loss. Evert Mooijer was 70 years old.
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Source: Klaas Puul