Koning Willem 1 Award nominations SME 2020 Van Raam

News

Van Raam nominated for Koning Willem I Award

Van Raam \ Awards
Van Raam
Koning Willem 1 Award nominations SME 2020 Van Raam

We are proud to announce that Van Raam has been nominated for the prestigious Koning Willem I Award (named after King William I) in the SME category. Companies that have shown courage, perseverance, innovation and a sustainable and proper entrepreneurship in recent years are eligible. This prize is seen as the most important prize for SME companies in the Netherlands and will be awarded later this year by Queen Máxima to the final winner. Read more about this award and Van Raam’s nomination in this article.

Van Raam and the Koning Willem I Award

For the award ceremony for the Koning Willem I (KWI) award in 2020, Van Raam is nominated in the category SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the east of the Netherlands. A total of twelve companies have been nominated. This is the most important award for SMEs in the Netherlands. It is there for reputable companies that are important for the Dutch economy and it is the ultimate reward for good entrepreneurship.

The nominated companies were announced on the 2nd of March 2020, during a meeting in Den Bosch. Marjolein Boezel, the HRM/Financial director at Van Raam, was also present. These twelve nominated companies, including Van Raam, come from all Dutch regions and distinguish themselves in several areas. These are:

  • Strong entrepreneurship
  • Decisiveness
  • Innovation
  • Sustainability
  • Vitality
  • Social commitment

Romy Blankenspoor, director of the Koning Willem I Award, is surprised by the high quality of the nominated companies.

Koning Willem 1 Award nominations SME 2020 Van Raam
The photo shows Marjolein Boezel (2nd from right), together with the other nominated entrepreneurs.

Van Raam finalist Koning Willem I Award

On 22 October 2020 the directors of Van Raam were surprised with the good news that Van Raam has become one of the three finalists of the Koning Willem I Award. Watch the video and photos of the reaction of the directors and find out why Van Raam has been chosen as finalist by the Koning Willem I Foundation. Read everything in the article 'Van Raam finalist Koning Willem 1 Award'.

Van Raam finalist

Van Raam finalist Koning Willem 1 Award

These 12 nominated companies reflect the economic strength and vitality of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands.

Romy Blankenspoor

Van Raam has been nominated because the special needs bicycles are delivered worldwide to people with a disability. All bicycles are produced in Varsseveld, in the east of the Netherlands. For that reason, Van Raam’s mission states: Van Raam offers people with a disability sustainable and contemporary mobility.

Van Raam believes that if people with a disability can be mobile and independent for longer, they are happier. Van Raam wants to contribute to the integration of people with disabilities in society. Let's all cycle!

In September 2020, Van Raam presented itself to a professional jury in the form of a pitch.

Watch the video of the nomination and pictures of it below:

Koning Willem 1 Award 2020 SME Van Raam Jacco Vonhof and Marjolein Boezel and Dick Veltman
Koning Willem 1 Award SME 2020 nominations in the eastern of the Netherlands
Nomination certificate Koning Willem 1 Award 2020 SME
Van Raam pitch and presentation Koning Willem 1 Prijs

Queen Máxima will hand out the Koning Willem I Award

At the end of 2020, the Koning Willem I Foundation will announce the 3 finalists. These finalists will be chosen from the 12 nominated companies. The final winner of the Koning Willem I Award will be announced during a festive gathering at the end of 2020. The dates mentioned are subject to change due to recent developments regarding the Coronavirus.
 
The King William I Foundation hands out three prizes every two years. There are three categories and one company from each category may receive the award. The categories are: Large companies, SMEs and a Plaque for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. These awards are presented during a festive evening by Her Majesty Queen Máxima and chairman Prof. Dr. K.H.W. Knot.

Koning Willem 1 Award 2020

This is a great recognition for the dedication of all Van Raam employees.

Marjolein Boezel

The Koning Willem I Foundation

The Koning Willem I Foundation has been awarding the Koning Willem I Award every two years since 1958, to entrepreneurs in the Large Business category who have demonstrated courage, decisiveness, perseverance, innovation and a sustainable and proper entrepreneurial spirit in recent years. The companies in the SME sector together form a sector with an enormous amount of activity and entrepreneurship. The Foundation wants to show and propagate this entrepreneurial spirit. For this reason, since 2008 the Foundation has also awarded the Koning Willem I prize in the SME category, to renowned companies that are the driving force behind the Dutch economy. The award is presented by the Honorary Chairman of the King Willem I Foundation: Queen Máxima.

Logo Koning Willem 1 Foundation

The foundation wants to work with these companies on the following goals:

  • Emphasising the importance of good and healthy business for prosperity in the Netherlands
  • Highlighting the positive developments in the Dutch economy
  • Rewarding companies for entrepreneurship
  • Strengthening contacts between companies
  • Rewarding courage decisiveness sustainability and perseverance
  • Stimulating creative and innovative entrepreneurship

The King Willem I Foundation is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and De Nederlansche Bank. The foundation organises and facilitates the participation process, the judging and the award ceremony by Her Majesty Queen Máxima.

For more information, visit the website of the KWI Award or click on the button below (website in Dutch). It is also possible to watch videos about the KWI Prize on the Foundation's YouTube channel.

Website KW1

Marjolein Queen Máxima State of SME 2019
From left ro right: Meiny Prins, Barbara Baarsma, Diederik Laman Trip, Queen Máxima, Mona Keijzer, Harold Goddijn, Marjolein Boezel

Queen Máxima and Van Raam at State of SMEs 2019

In October 2019, Marjolein Boezel was invited for the presentation of the Annual Report State of SMEs 2019. Marjolein was present to represent the Dutch entrepreneurs in a panel at the presentation, because Van Raam was put forward by the Annual Report as an 'example company'. Queen Máxima was also present at this presentation. Read more in the article "Queen Máxima and Van Raam at presentation State of SMEs 2019".

State SME 2019

Prises and Awards at Van Raam

Van Raam thinks it is very important to keep innovating and to work as sustainable as possible. Innovation is the constant renewal and improvement of the bicycles, but also of the production processes. For example, use is being made of 3D printers, the constant (re)design of Van Raam bicycles by the Research & Development department and you can view the Van Raam bicycles in 360 degree/3D photos on our website.

In addition, Van Raam is working with the Boost platform on a clean and smart industry in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Smart Industry and Social Innovation are central in this. Read all about it in the article "Van Raam and Boost working together on the future".

Van Raam 360 degree 3D photos

Van Raam applies a circular and sustainable policy. The new bicycle factory has also been built in such a way that the bicycles are produced as sustainably as possible. Read more about how we produce our bicycles on the website.

Because of this way of working, Van Raam has received several awards for both sustainability and innovation. Read on the hallmarks page on the website which awards and prises Van Raam has already received.

Hallmarks

Van Raam logo
Written by
Van Raam

Recommended articles

Van Raam finalist Koning Willem 1 Award

Van Raam finalist Koning Willem I Award

Van Raam is one of the three finalists for the prestigious Koning Willem I Award 2020. Companies that have shown courage, perseverance, innovation, and sustainable business operations in recent years have a chance to win this award. The winner may welcome the Dutch Queen Máxima for a visit at their company. The award is seen as the most important award for companies in the SME sector. Read more in this article.

van raam wins the guus hiddink business award 2019

Van Raam winner Guus Hiddink Business Award

Van Raam is the winner of the Guus Hiddink Business Award! On the evening of Thursday 17 October, the festive award ceremony took place in the Amphion theatre in Doetinchem. Marjolein Boezel, Financial/HRM Director at Van Raam, has received the award. The winner of the Guus Hiddink Business Award is an example for other companies in the Achterhoek. This award is part of the Ondernemersprijzen Achterhoek (Achterhoek Entrepreneurial Award). Besides Van Raam, CAD2M B.V. and Bronckhorst High-Tech B.V. were also nominated for this prize.

Van Raam Easy Rider Junior test winner by norwegian government

Easy Rider Junior children tricycle test winner

The Norwegian Government has had an independent commission test the Easy Rider Junior in connection with the tender procedure, a multi-year tender. Van Raam's Easy Rider Junior tricycle was tested in terms of points, price, absolute quality, as well as the bicycle's customisation possibilities, the available accessories and user-friendliness. The design of the bicycles was also taken into account. Read in this article why Easy Rider Junior is tested as the best. Please note: the name Easy Rider Junior has been changed to Easy Rider Small since 2023.

Van Raam Easy Rider test winner by norwegian government

Easy Rider tricycle voted test winner

The Norwegian government's independent commission has tested Van Raam's Easy Rider tricycle in connection with the tender procedure for a multi-year tender. Among other things in the points, price, absolute quality and the possibilities to adapt the bike to individual circumstances, the available accessories on the bike and the user-friendliness were tested. The design of the bikes also played a role. In this article you can read why the Easy Rider test winner.

Do you have any questions?

We are happy to assist you! Please check our contact page or contact us directly using the options below.