The global economic crisis had a major impact on Jongert. ‘The crisis, high payroll costs and large investments made turning Jongert into the most modern yacht-building company in Europe ultimately resulted in its bankruptcy,’ explains Jongert’s managing director Eel Kant. The yard was taken over by the VeKa Group based in Werkendam and since then, Jongert has been part of this multi-national maritime company that operates across practically every maritime sector.

VeKa has been building inland waterway vessels since 1988 and has grown rapidly in a short space of time. In addition to its yards in the Netherlands, the company also has facilities in Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine, as well as access to sites in Belarus, Egypt, France, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam as part of joint ventures. VeKa also operates a fleet of vessels and provides additional services in the fields of financing and brokerage.

Company shareholder and general director Peter Versluis was voted Dutch Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. ‘Versluis is enthusiasm personified,’ the jury stated in its report. ‘He has gained a huge amount of expertise in his profession and is still working with the same people he was doing business with fifteen years ago. He also knows how to impart his enthusiasm and expertise to his business partners and staff.’

Virtually Unlimited Possibilities

The VeKa Group owns yards in the Netherlands in Heusden, Lemmer, Rotterdam, Werkendam and Wieringerwerf. Jongert can make use of any of these facilities if needed. ‘The possibilities available to Jongert are virtually unlimited thanks to the partnership with our mother company, VeKa. For example, semi-customized and fully customized yachts measuring up to 135 m [443 ft] in length can be built at the facilities in Lemmer.’

The new-look Jongert was relaunched in style. Virtually immediately after the takeover in 2009, the yard won an order to build a Jongert 2400 M and other orders to refit several motor and sailing yachts. The Jongert Design Team is currently working on a new design focusing more than ever before on privacy, luxury and comfort. Read more about the Veka Group