Successful entrepreneurship in the 19th century
In a fascinating lecture, our fellow region member Professor Bart Boon gave an overview of his detailed research into the activities by entrepreneur A.F. Smulders in the period 1862 to the First World War. As industrial archives from that time are mostly not preserved, this research is largely based on sifting through literature and digitally stored newspaper reports.
In the 'iron' (19th) century, many small companies were established that applied that material. In the beginning, they were usually small-scale with 10 or fewer workers. Casting, forging and some machining operations (drilling, turning, sawing) were the main techniques used. In 1862, A.F. Smulders started such a company in 's Hertogenbosch. Steam engines and boilers were among his main products. The successful company expanded steadily. After 10 years, it already employed about 100 workers. As he had virtually no physical expansion opportunities, Smulders seized his chance when he was able to take over the Utrechtsche IJzergieterij in 1872. In Utrecht, growth continued and the company also started building other items such as various (steam) engines, bridges and canopies. A real furore, also internationally, was created when dredgers and excavators were built. In order to be less dependent on suppliers, Smulders bought an existing shipyard in Slikkerveer in 1894. This gradually changed the character of the firm from machine factory to shipyard. To accommodate continued growth, Smulders and his two sons commissioned a completely new yard in Schiedam in 1905, the Werf Gusto (abbreviation of the first names of the Smulders couple: Augustinus and Catharina, call sign Toos). In the early 20th century, this company was known worldwide for the dredgers it built and the Smulders family was among the more prosperous in the Netherlands.
All this was achieved within half a century.
Very valuable in Professor Boon's presentation was the summary of success and failure factors.
A.F. Smulders was not only a technical professional, but above all a commercial entrepreneur - who saw and seized opportunities and learned from mistakes made - and organiser who got things done. One of his strongest points was undoubtedly his ability to listen to the customer and develop what that customer wanted.
The meeting was attended by 29 people, both KIVI and non-KIVI members, including a member of the Smulders family.
Description
The board of KIVI Region North Holland has the pleasure of inviting you to attend a lecture to be given by Professor Bart Boon.
The development of the small steam tool factory started by A.F. Smulders in 1862 in 's-Hertogenbosch is spectacular. It led half a century later to the Gusto shipyard in Schiedam, a company employing thousands that was known worldwide for the dredgers it built. Despite the lack of archive material, our digital search techniques make it possible to get a good idea of how such a family business was able to make these rapid changes. In the process, we fortunately also get some insight into the owners' motives.
It will be interesting to see to what extent the 19th-century situation differs and corresponds to that of our time.
Speaker(s)
After studying Shipbuilding, Bart Boon worked at the Gusto Shipyard for several years. In doing so, he was involved in the design and construction of several innovative offshore units. After the yard closed in 1978, he stayed with the still existing Gusto Engineering for a few more years. Later, he transferred his thus gained experience in designing offshore equipment as a professor at TU Delft before concentrating on the field of Construction and Strength of ships and offshore installations. For some time now, in collaboration with several former Gusto employees, he has been trying to preserve for posterity as many memories as possible of that very special company. In doing so, the company's early history has his special attention.
Location
Organiser
Region North Holland
Name and contact details for information
Tim Timmermans