Van West Refrigeration blows out 100 candles 
On June 1, Van West Koeltechniek celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The family business from ‘t Harde specializes in air and liquid coolers for cooled drinking water, barrel cooling or water sampling.
Owner Luke Blauw and his team will celebrate this anniversary in early June with an anniversary reception and an outing.
Luke Blauw tells of the company’s start in 1923: “Founder Wouter van West worked for many years in Amsterdam as chief mechanic and inspector of technical services at Royal Dutch Lloyd’s. A company whose ships sailed back and forth to America. Upon returning to Europe, parts often had to be replaced. There was no specialized company in Amsterdam for this. With this gap in the market, Van West started a machine factory, in which he started making these parts. Not only for steam engines or ship’s diesels, but also cooling equipment.”
From Amsterdam to the Veluwe
In 1972, the refrigeration department split off from the parent company and moved to Heerde.
In 1998, Van West Koeltechniek moved into its current factory in ‘t Harde.
Luke Blauw took over the company from his father Johan in 2020.
Luke: “With a small team of specialists, we make air and liquid coolers. Not only for coffee and soft drink dispensers, but also for buffet coolers, beer tap installations, waste containers and much more. For example, we make coolers for major brands such as Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Bavaria and Animo. So chances are very good that you have used our products without knowing our name.”
Quality and durability
Van West values quality and sustainability.
The jubilee company prefers to buy its parts and raw materials close by to avoid unnecessary travel.
Luke Blauw: “Our quality products last a long time and are 90% recyclable. Moreover, we are increasingly using CO2-neutral refrigerants. By thinking in solutions for its customers, Van West Koeltechniek has been a valued company in its industry for 100 years. And certainly ready for the next century.”