GOD IS GOOD …..
Kooyman Holding Brings Innovative New Megastore to Barbados
“Barbados is the first market we have entered outside our home markets in the
Dutch Caribbean and we feel very welcome!” With these words, the CEO of
Kooyman Holding International BV, Herbert van der Woude, opened the groundbreaking ceremony for Kooyman Barbados held at the construction site at Kendal Hill on Wednesday March the 13th with Prime Minister Ms. Mia Mottley, in attendance.
Kooyman is a chain of hardware megastores originating from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. It is known for its innovative dual tracks. There is a retail store where the costumer on foot grabs the smaller hardware items. Or wanders around and gets inspired with home improvement ideas. “And there is the Drive Thru”,
explains Director of purchasing and marketing Frank Hoencamp. “Customers drive in with their vehicle, load the items they want to purchase on their truck and then drive to the check register. They can be in and out in a very short time.”
CEO Herbert van der Woude explained why the decision was made to open in Barbados. “Kooyman operates six stores on four different Dutch Caribbean islands. Kooyman is a market leader in these markets, but we still have the ambition to expand. Despite the current economic downturn, we think Barbados has a good investment climate in the long term: political stability and steady yearly GDP growth. Secondly, in our four existing markets there are 320.000 inhabitants altogether, so Barbados with its 290.000 inhabitants almost doubles our potential market. Thirdly, Barbados has solid institutions, including an independent judicial
system, a well-educated population, Fair Trade Regulation, and a high ranking on the Transparency International anti-corruption list. Lastly, having studied the market for hardware and building materials, we believe our store concept could add something new to the landscape.”
The Kooyman megastore in Barbados will be approximately 165.000 square feet and will sell hardware, building materials, home decoration and paints competitively priced. During construction up to 250 people will be employed
through local contractor Moorjani, and subcontractors, as well as partners. HR
Manager Sharon York said “When the store opens her doors in the first quarter of 2020, the store will employ between 100 to 120 people. Only 5% will be non- nationals. Strongly embedded in our management philosophy is the desire to employ Barbadians to operate and manage our store. After our operations have
been established, we seek to eventually have 100% Barbadian employment at all levels in the organization.”
Kooyman’s policy is to sell as many local products as possible within its store concept. Paint, steel, and other local and CARICOM product lines are being considered as negotiations with local suppliers are continuing to take place.
“Kooyman is a company that thinks global, but will always explore the option to
buy local”, said Hoencamp.
The official part of the ceremony was concluded with the turning of soil by the
Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms. Mia Mottley. She was assisted by Jori Kooyman.
On behalf of Kooyman, the soil was turned by CEO Mr. Herbert van der Woude and Human Resources Manager Mrs. Sharon York.
Kooyman is a one-stop-shop for building materials, hardware and home improvement with locations on Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten.
Customers can choose from an assortment of more than 25.000 products, which are updated constantly.
The Kooyman Megastore will be constructed in partnership with Moorjani Caribbean with main sub-contractors C.O. Williams Construction, C.O. Williams Electrical, Structural Systems with following technical advisors Electrical & Mechanical Consulting Engineers, Professional Engineering Services, Richard Gill
Associates and Massy Properties, all under management of Steinbok Management
Services.
13th March 2019 - Kendal Hill, Ch.Ch, Barbados
Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley ( extreme right ) turning the soil at the ground-breaking ceremony for megastore at Kendal Hill.
She is assisted by Jori Kooyman whilst at the left in photo is CEO Herbert van der Woude and partly hidden is Human Resources Manager Sharon Yorke.
Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley ( at left ) turning the soil at the ground-breaking ceremony for megastore at Kendal Hill assisted by Jori Kooyman
Businessman Mr. Ralph “ Bizzy “ Williams
the Chairman of Williams Industries Inc in conversation with
Businessman Mr. Ralph “ Bizzy “ Williams (at left )
the Chairman of Williams Industries Inc in conversation with
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley ( at right ) and one of his Staff
Pictured after the ground-breaking from left - Mr Jori Kooyman, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, CEO Herbert van der Woude and Human Resources Manager Sharon Yorke.
Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms. Mia Mottley
Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms. Mia Mottley
Barbados is fully open for business!
This clear message came from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on Wednesday evening, as she delivered remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Kooyman Barbados, at its construction site at Kendal Hill, Christ Church.
Ms. Mottley said Barbados had not yet reached the level it wanted to be at, but was certainly on the right road. “That right road means attracting persons, both domestically and from outside, to invest because they believe that investment will attract the return and that return on investment will come because of the country’s political, economic and social stability combined to create the platform for growth.
“The restructuring of an economy and stopping the bleeding is not an easy thing…. We have been able, in the space of nine months, not to do everything that has to be done. We started the process such that people who are watching on see us on the right road, and recognize that if we continue on this road we shall reach our destination,” she stated.
The Prime Minister contended that no investor would invest the sum of money Kooyman was spending here unless he had confidence in the country and its future.
She said investments such as the Kooyman Megastore and Ross University were some of the counterbalances government wanted to see more of, as the country currently undergoes an IMF programme and an economic recovery and transformation programme.
“Almost a lot of the smaller investments that are taking place in the country don’t necessarily reach the newspaper, but if you look around the country and look at the Town Planning applications and the approvals, you begin to see…that both Barbadians and foreigners believe that we can do it,” she stated.
Ms. Mottley pointed out that in the past, government played a role by fueling capital projects on its own, but that now had to be balanced by private sector activity. She noted that the private sector was not only driven by foreign capital, but it also had to be driven by local capital.
“There is excess liquidity in this economy, and next Wednesday [Budget Day] when I speak to you, I hope to speak at length about where we are going and what are the other things we want to energize in order to ensure Barbadians can use their own savings to help transform this country, and to fuel the level of capital projects that are necessary, not only to create the jobs, but to earn and to save…foreign exchange, but above all else, improve quality of life,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of Kooyman Holding International BV, Herbert van der Woude, said Barbados is the first market the company has entered outside its home markets in the Dutch Caribbean.
Mr. van der Woude continued: “Despite the current economic downturn, we think Barbados has a good investment climate in the long term – political stability and steady yearly GDP growth perspectives….
“Barbados has solid institutions, including an independent judicial system, a well-educated population, fair trade regulation and a high ranking on the Transparency International anti-corruption list.”
The store is expected to open its doors here during the first quarter of 2020, and employ between 100 and 120 people.
Kooyman is a chain of six hardware megastores originating from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.
It operates in four Dutch Caribbean islands, and is known for its innovative dual tracks. In addition to a retail store, where consumers can make their purchases, there will be a “drive-thru”, where customers can drive in with their vehicle, load the items they want to purchase and then drive to the check register.
Human Resources Manager Sharon Yorke.
