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Today AKERBOOM YACHT EQUIPMENT
STORY
Akerboom history
The history of Akerboom Yacht Equipment goes back to 1860. Great-great grandfather Henricus Akerboom takes a huge step: He buys the yard from his employer, Mr Dobbe. The yard is located near Lisse, where growers of flower bulbs transport their products by boat. They become his clients.
1882: entrepreneurship
Johannes Akerboom, second son of Henricus, had his father’s sense of entrepreneurship. In 1882, he purchases a yard in Boskoop. This area, with its many hundreds of kilometres of waterways, lends itself perfectly for water-borne transport, both for business and for pleasure. Johannes seeks out a different clientele from his father’s: the local dignitaries, doctors, lawyers, but also government institutions like the police and the fire brigade.
1928: times of crisis
In the nineteen twenties and thirties shipbuilding went through difficult times. In 1928 the yard in Boskoop, now led by Hendrik, son of Johannes, goes bankrupt. The family moves to the Hoge Morsweg in the village of Oegstgeest (now part of the city of Leiden) where cousin Hein from the town of Lisse has purchased a yard, ‘The Phoenix’. Hendrik takes the position of yard manager. This yard is threatened by bankruptcy and Hein needs to sell the yard. Mr Meijer, a contractor and friend, purchases the yard in 1932, leaving the daily running of the yard to Hendrik Akerboom.
1945: Gebr. Akerboom nv (Akerboom Brothers ltd)
After the Second World War Hendrik had the opportunity to buy the yard back from Mr Meijer for the same price Mr Meijer had paid in 1932. Eventually all his five sons work at the yard as shipwrights. Two of them, Joop and Jan, become directors. The yard name is changed to Scheepswerf Gebr. Akerboom nv.
1950: from pleasure craft to commercial vessels
In the years after the war there is a shortage of raw materials in The Netherlands. Steel, new or second hand, is reserved for commercial vessels. Scheepswerf Gebr. Akerboom nv is quick to adapt. The workboats for Public Works, Customs and Police but also for governments of third world countries become their new speciality. During these years the first business with De Vries Scheepsbouw Aalsmeer is conducted. This yacht builder appreciates the work they can do as a subcontractor for Akerboom. Jan Akerboom passes away in 1956 after which Joop and Cor Akerboom become directors.
1980: custom made
In the early eighties the rebuilding of the country is finished. Orders from the government are significantly reduced, partly due to growing foreign competition. Yacht builder De Vries in Aalsmeer sees her order portfolio increasing, so much so that a need grows for trustworthy subcontractors. Akerboom Yacht Equipment (AYE) becomes one of these, supplying custom superstructures.
1986: subsidiary of De Vries Scheepsbouw
In 1986 the last of the brothers steps down and Cor’s son Henk Akerboom becomes director.
Under his guidance the shareholders come to an important decision. The company becomes a full subsidiary of De Vries Scheepsbouw. As of 1986 Akerboom’s future lies in the manufacture of superstructures, yacht equipment and propeller shafts for luxury yachts. From then on De Vries Scheepsbouw can count on a reliable subcontractor. Up to the present day Akerboom remains a fully independent company. Not only the now ‘Koninklijke’ De Vries yards, but also yards like Royal Van Lent on the island of ‘De Kaag’ and Royal Huisman Shipyard in Vollenhove are part of the AYE clientele.
2012: growth
In 2012, AYE, as a subsidiary of the De Vries group, grows with market demand. Due to a need for more production space since 2007, buildings have been renewed and additional buildings have been constructed.
2019: the future
With the history in mind, Akerboom Yacht Equipment is ready for the future. With the festive launch of our renewed gangways, platforms and hatches in July, we can only say, we are ready for more.
Intrested in being part of the furure? Take a look at our open vacancies.
Henricus Akerboom together with yard employees back in 1860.
M.Y. Gallant Lady, she was launched at the end of 2006. She is fitted with modern state-of-the-art technology.
This “Gallant Lady” is the youngest of a ‘family’ of eight yachts carrying the same name. She was launched at the end of 2006. With similar looks to the previous Gallant lady (number 7), launched ten years earlier, she is fitted with modern state-of-the-art technology. Akerboom Yacht Equipment supplied the aluminium superstructure, the propeller shafts, the Riviera gangway, the transom door, the boat crane, the rudder installation and the sw