A New Chapter in Our Family Business: Kim van den Aker Becomes Co-Owner of Van Wees UD and Crossply Technology B.V.
We are incredibly proud and excited to announce that, as of today, April 25th, 2025, Kim van den Aker has officially become co-owner of Van Wees UD & Crossply Technology B.V.
Kim now shares ownership of our family business alongside her father, Rien van den Aker — a significant milestone where ambition, trust, and shared family values come together.
And what a remarkable year to celebrate this step: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Van Wees, as well as the 30-year anniversary of Rien van den Aker’s leadership as director and owner.
Turning Dreams into Action
Kim has been actively supporting Rien as his right hand since 2021, but her connection to the company runs much deeper.
“As a child, I would wander between the machines. Technology and entrepreneurship were truly instilled in me from an early age.” “Over the past few years, I’ve experienced firsthand how strong the Van Wees team is, how much expertise we have in-house, and the power of true collaboration. Becoming a co-owner feels like a natural and logical next step.”
Building the Future Together
Kim has grown into a vital and connecting force within our organization. With her open communication style, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication to our customers, she plays a key role in the sustainable growth of Van Wees. Together with Rien, she will continue to build a company that consistently invests in people, opportunities, machines, and technology.
We are energized by building and innovating together. It brings us great pride and joy to attract young talent who start their careers with us — either during or after their studies — and who grow within our company or continue their journeys with industry colleagues.
Big ambitions still lie ahead, including the expansion of our new building project: a future-proof facility where the entire company will operate under one roof, in an environment that reflects our innovative spirit. We are brimming with ideas and plans in our field: machines for the production of technical textiles and composite materials.
For Rien, this moment signifies much more than just a business decision.
“This marks the beginning of a new phase where my experience and fresh perspectives come together. Kim brings a fresh outlook, new ideas, and tremendous drive. I look forward to walking this path together — while personally taking a step back over the coming years to focus more on my passion: advancing technological innovation in our field.”
Driven by Vision, Building with Purpose
At Van Wees, we don’t just build machines. We help shape the future — ours and that of our customers — by making production processes smarter and more sustainable. Our mission is clear: to contribute to a better tomorrow with innovative, tailor-made solutions that stand the test of time across generations.
Our vision centers on the power of collaboration — because only together can we truly move forward. That’s why we continue to invest not only in cutting-edge technology but also in strong partnerships with our customers and stakeholders. Robust, protective, and lightweight materials are vital contributors to safety, efficiency, and well-being.
Thank You
This step marks a new chapter in the proud history of Van Wees — a chapter driven by even greater purpose, vision, and energy as we continue building the future. We sincerely thank all our colleagues, customers, and partners for their ongoing trust in us, in our machines, and in our shared mission and vision.
