Vebego Wins the Family Business Award 2022
Last Wednesday, April 20, 2022, family-owned company Vebego proudly accepted the Family Business Award 2022 at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. In a thrilling final round with three other nominees, Vebego came out on top. “What especially resonated with the jury was our mission to offer all employees meaningful work and give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate in society.”
The jury praised Vebego for its excellence in governance, culture, CSR, and long-term vision. But above all, the company’s human-centered culture stood out. “Vebego understands the value of work. Work plays a crucial role in a person’s self-esteem, independence, recognition, and personal growth,” said Ton Goedmakers, CEO of Vebego and third-generation member of the Goedmakers family.
Everyone should be able to participate
By offering meaningful work, Vebego aims to contribute to a more inclusive society where no one is left behind. Vebego employs more than 42,000 people of 120 different nationalities. A significant portion of the workforce also includes people with a distance to the labor market. A proud Ton Goedmakers accepted the award: “This is a fantastic honor and, above all, a sign of appreciation for all our employees. Vebego has a strong, people-first culture where there’s room for everyone, and personal growth is a priority. That includes seeing and valuing everyone’s unique talents.”
Jury on Vebego: innovative, engaged, and a model for succession
The jury commended Vebego for its governance and innovative mindset, calling the company a role model for successful succession within family businesses. Innovation plays a key role at Vebego, where even the smallest processes are constantly improved with smarter, faster solutions. Ton Goedmakers adds: “We trust and empower our companies to operate entrepreneurially. My grandfather already believed in that philosophy, and we’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be. Every day, I’m amazed by the smart technological solutions our people come up with.”
About the Family Business Award 2022
The Family Business Foundation (Stichting Familie Onderneming) was established in 2012 to highlight the vital role family businesses play in the Dutch economy. Each year, the foundation presents the Family Business Award to an outstanding Dutch family company. This year marked the eighth edition of the award. The other finalists were supermarket chain Jan Linders, stairlift manufacturer Otolift, and construction company KlokHolding.
