Ruigrok Hekwerk

Ruigrok Hekwerk is a Dutch manufacturer and supplier of fencing, gates, barriers and perimeter security systems, with its main establishment in Almere. The company traces its origins to a smithy in Vogelenzang, where Jacob Ruigrok took over the forge in 1849. Over generations the workshop grew into a factory for fencing and mesh works, and the family firm became known as Ruigrok Hekwerken "De Stier" B.V., using a rampant bull held in check by a Ruigrok fence as its logo. After the death of the childless Jan Ruigrok in 1983 the family business came to an end; the company reorganised, refocused on the Dutch market and moved its headquarters to Almere, continuing as Ruigrok Nederland. Today Ruigrok Nederland presents itself as a total supplier in terrain security (terreininrichting en terreinbeveiliging). Its product range includes fencing for private individuals, businesses, municipalities and sports clubs, as well as gates and access control, barriers (slagbomen) and bollards (in-ground and fixed posts). The company emphasises quality, innovation and service, and states that it has been the cradle of the Dutch fencing industry since its foundation. Its website notes that it has supplied high-quality fencing for 168 years, a claim consistent with a mid-19th-century origin. The firm operates primarily in the Netherlands, with historical export activities to Belgium, Germany and the Middle East. It serves a wide range of customers, from nursery schools to embassies, and from farmyards to container terminals. Ruigrok Hekwerk is a private company and remains active in the Dutch fencing and security market.

The history of Ruigrok Hekwerk begins with Jacob Ruigrok, born in Noordwijkerhout in 1813. He learned the blacksmith's trade in Utrecht, where he married and where his son Cornelis was born. During a journey by trekschuit to his family in Noordwijkerhout, he stopped at the Leidsevaart in Vogelenzang, where the horses were changed. There he saw a call for a servant at the smithy. Jacob applied, was accepted, and came to work in Vogelenzang. In 1849 Jacob Ruigrok took over the smithy and settled with his family in Vogelenzang. The business grew, and by 1865 he employed five servants alongside his son Cornelis Ruigrok. Less than 30 years later Cornelis succeeded his father in the smithy, and the workshop gradually grew into a factory for fencing and mesh works. Cornelis's seven sons also worked there. After Cornelis's death in 1908, they took over the business together with his widow. Larger commissions were already being carried out, such as a 1,089-metre fence enclosing the "De Sterrenburg" estate in Arnhem. In 1921, after the death of their mother, the two eldest sons founded the firm C.A. Ruigrok en Zoonen. The logo became a raging bull, held in check by a Ruigrok fence. The company then also took on other work, such as the manufacture of large advertising signs, a bicycle repair shop and a bus company. The latter was sold in 1926 to a bus company already active in the Bollenstreek. During the 1930s there was plenty of work for the company, but the Second World War was a difficult time, although few sources are available. When the entire village of Vogelenzang was forced to evacuate in early 1945 because the Germans were building a V-1 launch installation there, the pastor set up an emergency church in the firm's workshop. After the Second World War, demand for fencing increased. As materials were scarce, army dumps were called upon. The company then had 30 employees. In 1947 Arie Ruigrok left the company to start a factory for bicycle stands and garden furniture. Frans Ruigrok left for Eindhoven and founded Heras in 1952. Gerard Ruigrok also left the company in 1955 and, together with his sons, started two competing fencing companies. Meanwhile the parent company was led by Johannes Cornelis (Jan) Ruigrok and was called Ruigrok Hekwerken "De Stier" B.V. It grew to 60 employees and received commissions for barracks. From the 1970s onwards, export work to Belgium, Germany and the Middle East was also undertaken. In 1976 the childless Jan Ruigrok left the company, and in 1983 he died. This brought an end to the family business. The company reorganised and focused exclusively on the Dutch market again. The main establishment was moved to Almere and the company continued as Ruigrok Nederland. Today, under the name Ruigrok Hekwerk, it remains active in fencing and perimeter security, describing itself as the cradle of the Dutch fencing industry and a total supplier in terrain security.

• 1983

  Jan Ruigrok dies; the family business ends and the company reorganises as Ruigrok Nederland, moving to Almere.

• 1976

  Jan Ruigrok leaves the company.

• 1955

  Gerard Ruigrok leaves and starts two competing fencing companies.

• 1952

  Frans Ruigrok founds Heras in Eindhoven.

• 1947

  Arie Ruigrok leaves to start a bicycle stand and garden furniture factory.

• 1945

  Vogelenzang is evacuated; a emergency church is set up in the workshop.

• 1926

  The bus company is sold to a bus operator in the Bollenstreek.

• 1921

  The two eldest sons found C.A. Ruigrok en Zoonen; the bull logo is introduced.

• 1908

  Cornelis Ruigrok dies; his seven sons and widow take over the company.

• 1865

  The business employs five servants alongside son Cornelis.

• 1849

  Jacob Ruigrok takes over the smithy in Vogelenzang.

• 1813

  Jacob Ruigrok born in Noordwijkerhout.

Total supplier in terrain security, emphasising quality, innovation and service since 1846.

• Hekwerk (fencing)

  Complete range of fencing for private individuals, businesses, municipalities and sports clubs.

• Poorten en Toegang (gates and access)

  Gates as flexible access to terrain, forming the basis of access security.

• Slagbomen (barriers)

  Barriers for rapid, controlled access at parking lots, garages and business parks.

• Bollards

  Fixed and in-ground bollards for access control to parking areas and bus lanes.

1. 1Home - Ruigrok Nederlandruigrok-nederland.nl
2. 2Ruigrok Hekwerk - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Ruigrok Hekwerk - Wikidatawikidata.org