The Callens Group and Ketelonderhoud Jonker join forces in the Netherlands

The Callens Group in Waregem, Belgian market leader in heating and air technologies for the process industry, and the renowned Dutch Ketelonderhoud Jonker, number 1 in the servicing and maintenance of steam and hot water systems for that same sector in the Netherlands, have decided to formalise their collaboration. 

The partnership will give Ketelonderhoud Jonker and the Callens Group the know-how and firepower to further strengthen their leading position in the Netherlands and advance the industrial energy transition there, bolstered by their respective expertise in cutting-edge technologies for turnkey projects.

Ketelonderhoud Jonker is a family-run business. It can bank on 65 years’ experience, has an 85-strong workforce, and operates from 3 locations in the Netherlands: Moerkapelle, Leeuwarden, and Tilburg. The Callens Group is also a family-owned business with 60 years’ experience to its name and 280 employees spread across 3 locations in Belgium (Waregem, Geel, and Liège) and 1 branch in the Netherlands (Arnhem).

With their extensive expertise in heating technologies, the companies complement each other perfectly. 

In Belgium, the Callens Group also has a specialist division that focuses on air technologies. Over time, that expertise will find its way to the Netherlands to give customers even greater peace of mind. Vice versa, Ketelonderhoud Jonker brings an in-depth expertise in water treatment and the overhaul of accessories, which can only benefit the Belgian market.

The collaboration will give the Callens Group a permanent anchor in the Netherlands.

“We have been operating in the Netherlands under the Callens flag for years – albeit from our Belgian branches – and via our originally Dutch subsidiary Optimum, which joined the group in 2018. Nonetheless, we see enormous potential to further roll out the energy transition in the Netherlands with a local base at Jonker, which already holds a leading position”, is the clear message from Waregem.

Robert-Jan Zoll-Dijkema, Managing Director and owner since 2019, will remain at the helm of Ketelonderhoud Jonker. The Dutch entity will retain its own identity and autonomy to roll out service and projects and provide customers with a total package.

“The collaboration is a positive story, especially when it comes to our own workforce. They retain their autonomy and status of experts while being able to draw on the wealth of experience of their Belgian colleagues whom they can spar with. This is a real growth story because our teams will continue to prosper and, collectively, be in a position to offer far more than service,” Zoll-Dijkema explains.

The match between the companies extends beyond their respective activities. Both are still family-run businesses and stick to the human values and standards that entails. Our workforce are at the centre of our respective policies. In this area too, we will use the synergies to offer our staff a total experience and long-term continuity.

In addition, the companies can each pride themselves on a rich history. The Callens Group saw the light of day in 1966 and steadily grew and expanded geographically across the Benefralux. The same goes for Ketelonderhoud Jonker, which was founded in 1960, now covers the four corners of the Netherlands, and marked its 65^th anniversary this year.