History

History

• 1945 foundation of Constructiebedrijf P.L. Harsveld v/h Smederij Bak

• 1963 Movement to a new area of industry

• 1978 New name "Harsveld Apparatenbouw BV"

• 1979 Expansion with 800 m2 and a hoisting capacity of 10 ton

• 1985 Expansion with a working area of 1550 m2 and a hoisting capacity of 20 ton

• 1997 Plan for a management buy -inn

• 2003 New board for Harsveld Apparatenbouw BV

P.L. Harsveld v/h Bak
The company which is now Harsveld Apparatenbouw was founded in June 1945. Prior to founding his own company, Piet Harsveld, had qualified as a fitter / bench mechanic with the shipyard "De Haarlemsche Scheepsbouw", founded his own company by buying "Smederij Bak" . The company was then called "Constructiebedrijf P.L. Harsveld v/h smederij Bak".  
With large companies such as Van Gelder en Zonen and Hoogovens ( Corus ) in the vicinity, there was plenty of work in this field. The first signs of his plans to expand the business were visible at Wijkerstraatweg in Velsen‑Noord where he extended and built up the old forge. As the business continued to expand, work frequently spilled out past the front door. After 17 years the company decided to move - it was impossible to sustain a relatively heavy industry next to the butcher and the baker.

A new spot
In 1963 "Constructiebedrijf P.L. Harsveld v/h smederij Bak" moved to Leeghwaterweg3, also in Velsen‑Noord, the new industrial park of the municipality of Velsen, right next to the Velsertunnel (1958).
A thousand square metres under the roof and an option on 2000 m2 of extra land was a fantastic initiative at that time, and one which showed remarkable foresight.

Harsveld Apparatenbouw
In 1971, after graduating in mechanical engineering and specialising in advanced welding and with a few years experience abroad, his son Jos joined the company. Step by step Jos Harsveld took over and after much deliberation and a great deal of advice, Jos set up a new company in 1978 called "Harsveld apparatenbouw b.v.". Again this change of name shows that the company was developing well and wanted to extend its specialisation in processing stainless steel and non‑ferrous metals with work preceded by drawing and calculating work. The manufacture and supply of equipment, tanks, pressure vessels and heat exchangers under the "Stoomwezen quality mark" had become routine for the staff at Harsveld Apparatenbouw.

A new hall
In view of the importance and the weight of the work, sufficient lifting capacity had to be available. In 1979 it was therefore decided to build a new production hall, which would also include a cutting hall. At that time the company, with about 1800 m2 of working areas and hall cranes, which together could lift 10 tons, had excellent accommodation and the possibilities were extended considerably.

Urge to expend
But the urge to expand hadn't ended yet. In 1985 the Harsvelds decided to buy their neighbours "De Vleesmeesters" (owned by the De Boer family). After the preparatory plans, the foundation for this extension for Harsveld Apparatenbouw BV was laid in 1986 by Harsveld sr. together with his young daughter José Harsveld. Another fine extension of 1550 m2 dealt with. A production hall where large objects weighing more than 20 tons can be lifted and handled with ease.
Now that the production staff had enough space and capacity, the next step was predictable. In two phases (1990 and 1992) the office accommodation for the company office and administration was extended, resulting in an attractive and representative office.

(click on the image to view a larger version)

Management buy inn
A few years ago the current general manager Jos Harsveld, who has been working for the company for 32 years, decided to ensure the continuity of the business by, at an early stage, beginning to make plans for his succession.

New Board in 2003
After being in business for 57 years as a family business, in accordance with a carefully thought out plan, management and control have been transferred to four employees, namely: F. Mulder, A. Kweldam, A. Kramers and R.L. de Visser. Rob de Visser has been appointed general manager with ultimate responsibility. Primarily he will look after external contacts with customers, the sector and the authorities.
Through the management team these people will be fully able to guarantee and to improve the renowned quality of Harsveld apparatenbouw bv.

2006
The new management bought the accommodation.