The beginning
Piet Verduijn, 31 years old, living in Breskens, works as a confectionery wholesaler and has been supplying sweet treats in Breskens and the surrounding area for many years.
Full of courage
Breskens was hit hard during the Second World War. There were many casualties, including Dina, Piet's wife. Despite this loss, Piet finds the courage to move on. At home in the Havenstraat, Piet is looking for the ultimate recipe for sugar waffles to include in his rounds. In the region it is tradition to bake sugar wafers around New Year.
The entire family helps out
Piet Verduijn travels all over Zealand with his products. The sugar wafers are so well appreciated that the entire family has to help out, including his son Adrie.
From home baking to building a factory
Over the years, the business expanded to countries such as Belgium, France and Germany. The entire house has been sacrificed and even the last bit of garden is being used for a new extension. Piet installs a large oven with a packaging line, and has the living room converted into an office. Son-in-law Leo is recruited as a pastry specialist. At one point, the house was also known as the "cookie factory" of Breskens.
From father to son
After many successful and busy years, Piet Verduijn hands over the entire business to his son Adrie Verduijn. At that time, the cookie factory employs about 35 people.
Expansion of the biscuit factory in Aardenburg
Following in the footsteps of the success of the sugar waffles, Adrie buys new ovens to make soft waffles. He acquires a building in the former domestic science school in Aardenburg. The soft waffles are popular and production is increased. A new egg cake line is being installed on which many nice products are now made.
The third generation
Adrie brings 2 of his 4 sons into the business: Henk and Jean-Pierre. After several years of being involved, a new path was charted. The ovens in Aardenburg are sold and new ones are installed in order to produce savory wafers.
Transfer of the business
Adrie hands over the business to his sons Jean-Pierre and Henk Verduijn. The brothers have big plans like their grandfather Piet. However, in the beginning, the brothers struggle with great challenges. With full conviction and perseverance with quality products, the wind came into their sails after 1996. The assortment is growing with new products and new concepts are being developed. A new building is considered.
A bright future in Eede
With the growth well in place, the two factories, Aardenburg and Breskens are merged into a brand new factory in Eede. Merging creates great efficiency and further optimizes processes. With the latest requirements according to the standards of BRC/IFS and HACCP, Verduijn’s is ready for the future.
New product line
Producing wafer-thin cookies with new techniques ensures that products with nuts, fruit and pieces of chocolate can be processed. This ensures an extra dimension to the assortment of delicate products.
Creation of new cookies
Henk's creativity and passion result in several new concepts on the new line. The step by step scaling of products requires both patience and persistence. As a result, Verduijn is proud that various projects have paid off and have been transformed into successful biscuits.
New packaging equipment
To look ahead means to innovate. Since the purchase of new metal detectors, weighing machines and packaging equipment, the production process has been increasingly optimized.
New look
Packaging also demands innovation. After thorough market research, the vintage line was modified and this has resulted in very positive feedback. Not only has our business with current customers grown, many new customers are also enthusiastically engaging with our products.