History and future

Old values, new standards

Hollanders have a rich tradition when it comes to craftsmanship and craft. But Dutch as a merchant and innovator are also known worldwide. A successful combination. Touwfabriek Langman BV proves this as a purely Dutch company since 1638. The Touwfabriek in Nijkerk has existed since 1638. 'The company has an ancient history,' says Henk Langman. 'We were able to find out thanks to our archives and those of the municipality. Only the rope factory in Nijkerk has not always been in the possession of the Langman family. Hargert Langman born in 1730 in Steenwijk started with a rope butchery in Steenwijk, in 1893 Lebbert Langman son of Harm Langman came to Nijkerk because there was no more work for him. Lebbert has taken over the rope factory from 1638 of the then owner Evert van Sweden in Nijkerk. In 1932, Herman and Jeltje, Jan and Henk Langman took over the business of father Lebbert. When Herman and Jeltje stepped out of the business in 1966 (brother Henk died in 1945), Jan continued as sole owner. His two sons, Henk and Herman, therefore also work in the rope factory. In 1975 the sons Henk and Herman took over the company. In 1992 the roads of Henk and Herman separate themselves. Henk continues the rope factory at a different location and Herman will focus on water sports. The rope factory is growing and in May 2000 the construction of the location at the Beurtschipper was started. The factory has a floor area of 4,500m². Jan E.M. Langman, the son of Henk H.L. Langman, took over the factory in January 2013. Since the commissioning of the new factory in 2001, there has been continuous investment in new machines and production methods to produce more sustainably and efficiently. Rope factory Langman is one of the most modern rope factories in Europe.