Building together to the future

This provider of bedding materials is ready for the future. In Groenlo, Achterhoek, there is a large complex of storage (halls), offices, and a new, state-of-the-art sustainable production line. Read more about the family business Ten Damme below.

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Customer case Ten Damme

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Building the future together with Ten Damme

Samen gaan Agrarisch Lochem Accountancy

Family business Ten Damme has, with its 45 employees, everything in-house to produce high-quality end products from raw materials. After eventful years and changes in leadership, the organization, led by the 2nd generation brothers, is ready for the future with the latest investments. A future in which the next generation already plays a role.

De Jong & Laan has been supporting the organization for almost 20 years. Advisor Eric Schreurs has been involved almost from the beginning. He began his work for Jan ten Damme, the founder of the family business. “As an accountant and advisor, I have experienced the organization in all its facets.”

“From the first to the current generation, with difficult economic early years, tragic events (the fire in Meddo in 2014 and the workplace accident in 2023) to the current progressive organization with a promising future perspective, led by the 3 brothers.” The eldest brother Willie ten Damme adds; “Eric has had it tough at times, but he was always there for us! We can always run things by him.”

“Especially in the early years, it was sometimes quite tense. From being on the brink of collapse, we managed to get everything back on track by making agreements with each other and those involved,” says Eric with appropriate pride. So much so that within 10 years, Ten Damme grew from 2 million revenue to now an international organization with 20 million revenue.

Eric Schreurs Accountant

Progressive generation

The current generation has taken significant steps with a vision on future developments in their industry. Thanks to this entrepreneurial spirit, there is now a progressive company that invests and innovates in sustainable development and focuses significantly on their employees. They have everything in place to produce products from raw material to labeled end product with their team. Products with high quality requirements using only pure and natural materials, without any additives. This creates the foundation for their clients for hygienic, dust-free stables with high moisture absorption.

Eric: By focusing on the right things, making the right investments, and looking ahead, Ten Damme has grown into a leading organization in the otherwise pressured agricultural sector.

Another important branch is delivering and producing wood chips. The raw material for this organic, biodegradable product comes from nature management. It is used as green energy: fuel for stoves, as well as ground cover in gardens and parks, and as a raw material for manufacturing chipboard. This way, the chain supports each other further.

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Let's go together! in practice

The DNA of Ten Damme strongly aligns with that of de Jong & Laan. Down-to-earth, no-nonsense attitude from Achterhoek, and drive. Entrepreneurship with courage, but especially with a keen eye for each other. This contributes to a long-lasting, pleasant collaboration. “During such a long period with significant developments, you encounter various expertise. I believe all the services of de Jong & Laan have been relevant to us at some point,” says the middle brother Henk ten Damme.

Accounting and (international) tax for administrations and annual reports;
Family advice during the transfer of the organization to the next generation;
Corporate Finance in acquisitions and investment financing;
Subsidy advice for special and innovative projects to contribute to sustainability as an organization;
IT advice for further automating processes;
Personnel advice to recruit enthusiastic employees and manage all HR processes effectively;
and since the fiscal year of 2022, our audit practice has also played a role.

All of this fits with the development the organization is undergoing and the scale it is achieving.

Throughout, 'together' has always been the cornerstone for the current generation of directors, the three brothers. This has supported them in tough times and during crucial decisions. Each contributes with their own expertise. Willie is a pure salesperson and manages planning and commerce, Henk is responsible for technology, personnel, and finance, and Johan is accountable for purchasing and innovation. Johan: “Of course, we sometimes have different opinions, but we always reach an agreement in the end and strengthen each other.” This way, the organization continuously takes a step forward. Together with each other and with de Jong & Laan.

Innovation

One of the latest steps they have recently taken is the self-pelleting (pressing) of wood pellets. With a fully closed and circular pelleting line, the entire production process is optimized, providing tailored solutions for the client and also gaining significant logistical advantage. This is a typical example of how Ten Damme turns an innovative idea into a plan, collaborates with various experts from de Jong & Laan, and brings it to life. The necessary investments were optimally arranged, and since the end of September, the state-of-the-art and sustainable production line has been operating. Certification for the production of wood pellets is secured, making Ten Damme the third company in the Netherlands to possess this.

I believe all services of de Jong & Laan have been relevant to us at some point.

It's not just about the numbers

The attention given to each other in this organization is truly remarkable. This is also true for the attention towards suppliers and advisors. This leads to cooperation in a committed and open manner. It’s a wonderful starting point, because if you truly want to commit to something together, you also need the space to openly and honestly express the reality of the situation. How you’re doing in the race, what’s smart and what’s not. Willie: “It’s not always easy, but we don’t just tell each other what we want to hear. An advisor wants to encourage the entrepreneur, not constrain them, and spur on the entrepreneurial drive, but we appreciate that de Jong & Laan remains critical. They tell us when something is (still) not wise or if there are matters that require more attention than currently given.” This openness and genuine involvement energize both sides to work towards a common goal.

Building a trust relationship

“Then you also see that, alongside the business relationship, you build a relationship of trust. From this perspective, you’re not only involved in administrative matters and decisions. After all, it’s not just about the numbers. The client’s story, the motivations behind the organization, or the personal goals of the entrepreneurs are important.

By looking together at those motivations, you better understand their choices. It often happens that during our discussions, we drift off and end up brainstorming about new ideas,” says Eric. “As an advisor, you pick up topics which you can proactively address with the help of specialized colleagues. This is how the aforementioned innovative pelleting line came about.”

Standing by your client, as a person and specialist

Through this involvement, you also experience less pleasant matters up close. For example, the family and organization faced a terrible fire in 2014, the passing of Jan ten Damme in 2022, and a tragic workplace accident in 2023. Eric: “The shocking message I received from Henk while I was in a course is something I will never forget: ‘please call me and quickly!’”

With such a message, you immediately feel that something is wrong. I stepped out of the room and was told that founder Jan ten Damme had passed away. These situations touch your heart. This was also the case early one morning in February 2023 when Willie and Johan called me, asking if I could go to Groenlo immediately. “There has been a terrible accident, Eric,” was the message.

At those moments, we are also there for the client. You switch into management mode: seeing what you can take off their hands so that as much as possible continues to function while the family processes this. Even when Henk’s wife passed away, you saw the strength of a family business and what the connection with the staff does. Intense periods, but very beautiful and rewarding to be there for the client and truly make a difference.”

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“The beauty of a long-term client relationship is that you develop together. You encounter situations and practical questions that don’t always fit your expertise. As an advisor who likes to handle things independently, you must learn to let go. Not doing everything yourself, but bringing in colleague advisors with expertise in their respective fields. That’s the beauty of de Jong & Laan, the broad range of specialists. When you make use of it, you realize that together you come further than alone.”

Let's go together!

At Ten Damme, a beautiful balance has been found. They work with a multidisciplinary and diverse team, assisted when necessary by a broader (international) network. This way, clients and advisors are challenged to take the right steps together, take action, and initiate developments. Preparing the organization for the future. That is the goal. The enjoyable cooperation can be summarized in the Achterhoek dialect as: