Due to the increased attention for defense and the money that politics has left for this, many Brabant companies out’s flag. Our province has dozens of companies that work for defense, or that would like to. They put investments forward and look hard for staff. Although not everyone shares high expectations. “Ouwehoeren is fun, but it’s all about the orders.”
51 Brabant companies are currently affiliated with the Network Club Stichting Nederlandse Industrie for Defense and Security (NIDV). Only in South Holland there are more, there are 80 companies for defense. The list is growing: five new companies have reported in one month in Brabant alone.
These are all companies that are already doing odd jobs for defense, or would like that in the future. For example, we see companies that (want to) make engines for drones, aircraft parts or ammunition, but also employment agencies for technical staff or companies that are involved in cyber security or fast internet.
‘Exploding growth’
What they have almost all in common: they have seen the future positive since it is clear that many countries are going to invest heavily more in defense. “We are pre -sorting on selling many more things,” says Ivo Kolman of Vovu Machining in Uden. He supplies parts for drones and planes, especially to foreign companies. “We really expect an exploding growth in turnover in three to five years. There are many conversations going on at the moment.”
Not all companies want to talk to Omroep Brabant. “What we do is not for public,” says one of them. “I can’t tell too much about this, that’s the agreement among these types of companies,” says another. “I don’t feel like challenging activists at my fence,” one entrepreneur trusts us.
How much money goes to Defense?
The Netherlands is increasing its defense budget to 3.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). It is between between 16 and 19 billion euros a year. In addition, the government wants to spend 1.5 percent of GDP on matters that defense benefits, such as cyber security and the improvement of roads and bridges.
It has not yet been decided how the extra costs are paid. A new cabinet must decide on that.
At Faes in Reusel they also notice the increased demand from the Ministry of Defense. The company makes industrial packaging, also for defense. Faes has optimized the production to be able to respond faster and more efficiently to all developments.
Europe the new standard
At Arctus in Son en Breugel they make engines for drones. “A lot is just happening in the drone world,” says Bernard van Genugten. “We are hard at work, keeping up with the question is actually not possible.” New machines have been ordered, a new production hall is being built. “What makes us special is that we get everything from Europe, there is nothing from China.” He hopes that that will be the new standard.
Eric Hendriks hopes that too, although he would like to see ‘Europe First’ ‘Netherlands First’ in addition to ‘Europe First’. His company Safety Masters in Helmond makes clothing for defense. “You see the expansion happening, there is really a change.” But: that clothing is now often made in East Asia.
That is because the price is often decisive for tendering procedures. And producing abroad is cheaper. Hendriks: “But there are best possibilities to give Dutch companies a 1-0 lead.” He would like it if this happened. “Then we want to produce clothing in the Netherlands.”
‘Defense is difficult’
The Mekano Group in Boxtel does not yet work directly for Defense, they do business with suppliers. The company that supplies staff has just been affiliated with the NIDV network club and hopes for orders. Jeroen Blonk: “We have become a member to profile ourselves. It is commercially very interesting, let’s be honest.”
His patience is put to the test. “The money is there, but because Defense works with tenders, it can take a few years before we get out.” At a recent NIDV meeting, someone from the army even warned those present: doing business with Defense is difficult.
‘Old whores is fun’
Relativizing words also come from Gerard Zondervan. With Artillery Institutions Armaments (AIA) in Tilburg, he has been making plans for the first Dutch ammunition factory for months. “I recommend companies not to cheer too early,” he says. Faced with the positive stories and great expectations of others, Zondervan notes: “Oh yes, have they already signed a contract then?”
“Ouwehoeren is fun, but it’s all about the orders,” he warns. “If you want you can go to a Defense seminar every day. But as long as there are no contracts, these companies could just come home from a cold fair.”
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