Every year, the History of Engineering Section of KIVI awards a prize to a special museum. The Willem Wolff Prize 2024 was awarded to the Nationaal Vlasserij-Suikermuseum in Klundert specifically for its work on an impressive model of a sugar factory.

The presentation took place on 4 November 2024 by Paul Wolff (son of Willem Wolff) to Wim Dekker.

Jury report

1. Criteria Willem Wolff Prize (WWP)

The assessment of the WWP is based on the following criteria:

  • There must be a tangible or concrete final product
  • It must be a Dutch initiative
  • It must be an initiative in the field of history of technology
  • Feasible project, it must be possible to realise it within a foreseeable period of time
  • Substantial contribution WWP, the WWP contribution must have a visible effect

each aspect gets 1, 2, or 3 points. 1 if somewhat fulfilled, 2 if largely fulfilled and 3 if completely fulfilled.

2. The project

The project description is the following:

A sugar factory is not just something .....................
And rebuilding a sugar factory is not possible. When you have worked in such a factory all your life with pleasure and dedication; talked to your colleagues about "our factory", a model, recreated in detail is the ultimate goal!
Thus, the need arose to hold on to the history of such a factory from earlier times (1950-1960). In other words, to recreate such a factory on a scale of 1 : 32. No mean feat! The craftsmanship of the model makers and patience led to the fact that the working juice extraction with the rotating washing mill the cutting mills are there and the pulp mill is now also in operation. The working lime kiln, complete with a ship carrying limestone is now also part of the model on display.
Push the button and the factory is running !
In other words, a construction time of about 7 years in total.
In the 'middle factory' under construction, that raw juice is processed into the granulated sugar. Ultimately, granulated sugar and pulp is the final product.
Construction of the middle factory is in full swing. Some installations are already set up in factory.
Finishing the middle factory will take a few more months.
On its way to a complete factory.

The WWP enables completion of the finishing work.

3. Award

Of the 6 projects submitted, this project scored the most points.

The huge working model of the sugar factory