Management buyout
Wim van der Valk has confirmed his retirement, prompting a management buyout of shares at the Van der Valk shipyard.
26 April 2024
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Having been at the helm of the shipyard that bears his name since its foundation in 1967, Wim van der Valk marked his 79th birthday on 18 April 2024 by officially confirming his retirement.
A management buyout of Van der Valk’s shares in the yard has taken place, financially supported by a family of experienced yacht owners who have previously commissioned three custom superyachts from Van der Valk Shipyard; LeVen, Edge and Lady Lene.
With a full order book stretching well into 2026, including the largest superyacht built to date, the yard says confidence in the future is high.
Van der Valk has established itself in recent years as one of a handful of shipyards worldwide with the capacity and flexibility to build all-custom superyachts up to 45 metres in length.
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The yard has over 9,000 m² of state-of-the-art facilities at its location in Waalwijk in the Netherlands, after opening its seventh construction hall in November 2023.
The management team of Enrico Theuns, Bram Kooltjes and Yoeri Bijker can leverage decades of combined experience in the high-end yachting industry and will continue to receive the ongoing support of President Emeritus Wim van der Valk as an advisor to the board.
“The significant capital investment will enable Van der Valk to continue growing our unique niche in the market for bespoke yachts between 25 and 45 metres,” says head of sales Yoeri Bijker.
“The new primary shareholders fully understand our yard’s ethos, having built several award-winning yachts with us, and are committed to ensuring Van der Valk retains its Dutch structure, heritage and quality.
“We have a solid financial future as an independent entity with various options available for further expansion. Wim’s unrivalled legacy could not be in safer hands.”
A passionate yachtsman and watersport enthusiast, Wim van der Valk has overseen an incredible rise to prominence for Van der Valk in the past five decades, with a range of striking steel and aluminium motoryachts. The initial success came with cabin and aft-cabin design cruisers from seven to 10 meters.
Today, Van der Valk partners with top names from the superyacht scene, including Guido de Groot, Carla Guilhem, Ginton Naval Architects, Cor D Rover and Van Oossanen, on its bespoke superstructures and interiors.
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