Port Entrepreneur of the Year 2023

MBI De Steenmeesters Port Entrepreneur of the Year 2023

MBI De Steenmeesters, with a location in the Haatlandhaven in Kampen, was named 'Port Entrepreneur of the Year' on Tuesday evening, March 26. They follow Xella Nederland in this honor. The announcement of the 'Port Entrepreneur of the Year' was made during the annual Port of Zwolle Dinner. This recurring event is organized by Port of Zwolle in collaboration with Regio Zwolle United, the social branch of PEC Zwolle. Through this dinner, both organizations strengthen ties between the logistics business sector, port companies, educational institutions, and government both within and outside the region.

Award Ceremony of Port Entrepreneur of the Year

On Tuesday evening, March 26, Port of Zwolle proudly announced the eighth Port Entrepreneur of the Year. After careful consideration, the jury awarded the honor to MBI De Steenmeesters from Kampen, with Marcel Bettonvil, the general director of MBI, accepting the prize.

MBI De Steenmeesters, a leading family business with deep-rooted family values, was chosen as Port Entrepreneur of the Year 2023. Known as the market leader in the Netherlands in the field of aesthetic concrete and ceramic paving stones and tiles, the company has various production locations both within the Netherlands and internationally.

With locations in Aalst, Kampen, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Veghel, Ede, Mol (Belgium), and Wuppertal (Germany), MBI De Steenmeesters offers a wide range of high-quality products for various applications, including decorative paving, elemental hardscapes, wall solutions, and ceramic floor and wall tiles.

A milestone for the company was reached last fall with the opening of the new production hall, ‘De Moderne Mondriaan’, a tribute to 80 years of experience and expertise. This state-of-the-art facility, located in the Haatlandhaven in Kampen, has positioned MBI as one of the most sustainable concrete manufacturers in Europe, combining modern production techniques with a keen eye for environmental awareness.

The location in Kampen, strategically positioned by the water, allows MBI to make optimal use of water transport for raw materials and products, contributing to their pursuit of sustainability and efficiency.

With a clear sustainability policy and a focus on energy transition, MBI De Steenmeesters has not only impressed the jury of Port of Zwolle but also gained recognition internationally. By converting forklifts from diesel to electric, and using wind and solar energy, MBI has made a significant contribution to the development of Port of Zwolle and the further sustainability of the port industry.

The crowning of MBI De Steenmeesters as Port Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 reflects not only their commitment to excellence and innovation but also their ongoing pursuit of a more sustainable future for the sector.

Port of Zwolle Dinner

In addition to the announcement of the Port Entrepreneur of the Year, there were also a number of inspiring speakers. Together, they explored new insights, opportunities, and challenges in the logistics and maritime sectors, with the goal of creating a safe and future-proof port region. The welcoming message from Peter Snijders, mayor of Zwolle and one of the shareholders of Port of Zwolle, was clear. Port of Zwolle is performing well both in the region and beyond. There are plenty of opportunities, but also challenges, including safety in the port area.

Keynote speaker Ernst Noorman, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained the importance of safety in a port region and the threats it brings. Especially now that Port of Zwolle is on the verge of becoming a seaport. With the adjustments to the lock at Kornwerderzand, Port of Zwolle will become the furthest sea port in the Netherlands, bringing new challenges, including in the areas of safety and crime. After the keynote, Ernst Noorman engaged in a conversation with Francois Bello, ECT Rotterdam, and Kevin Boef, an undermining advisor at the municipality of Meppel, to clarify the issues to focus on.

Next, Danny Pol, the evening's moderator, discussed the future vision of Port of Zwolle with Jeroen van den Ende, managing director of Port of Zwolle, Thecla Bodewes, CEO of Thecla Bodewes Shipyards, and Paul Guldemond, alderman of the municipality of Zwolle. Port of Zwolle aims to further develop into a crucial (trade) hub in the logistical heart of the Netherlands, where water, rail, and road converge. This requires collaboration between entrepreneurs, the government, and knowledge institutions. To solidify this cooperation, the ‘Port Manifesto’ was presented. With this manifesto, Port of Zwolle, together with other parties, aims to work towards a sustainable and resilient port area. In the coming period, an implementation agenda will be developed.

Port of Zwolle

Port of Zwolle is the logistical gateway for the Regio Zwolle. Multimodally connected to the seaports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Antwerp, and with excellent connections to Northern and Eastern Netherlands and Northern and Northeastern Europe, Port of Zwolle is more than the combined port authority of the municipalities of Zwolle, Meppel, and Kampen. It is a physical hub where water, rail, and road meet, and where the interests of entrepreneurs, education, and government in the Regio Zwolle are represented. With a focus on the energy transition, more transport by water, and circular production processes, Port of Zwolle is evolving into a logistical hub for circular business activities—a port of the future. Within Regio Zwolle, one of the economic pillars of the Netherlands, Port of Zwolle is essential.

Regio Zwolle Economic Top Region

Regio Zwolle is a governmental cooperation of 22 municipalities spread across 4 provinces, working together with entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and social organizations. Regio Zwolle is booming and, as a growth region, is of great importance to the Netherlands. In recent years, the cooperation between municipalities has gone through a natural growth process. Shared challenges require a collective approach to resolve them. The region is an economic top region. Along with Amsterdam, Rotterdam/The Hague, and Eindhoven, Regio Zwolle is one of the economic pillars of the Netherlands.

Read the jury report here.