Timeline SKS
SKS focuses on the future, while we are fully aware we are standing on the shoulders of our predecessors. It all began in 1994, the year in which SKS BV was founded out based on the central purchasing department of Siersema Procestechnologie in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), the Netherlands
This branch office was part of the Siersema group, a family-owned business founded in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, shortly after World War II in 1948.
Mr J. Siersema established his service company for creating and maintaining processes for food production. A few years later, the company already had a number of branch offices and became the Siersema Group, led by his son, Jan.
The clustering of availability, service and the knowledge gained by the group over the years led to the decision to add after-sales to the central purchasing department, until then just one of the secondary activities.
After 4 years of successfully turning after-sales into a solid business model, in May 1994 the company decided to split off the central purchasing and after-sales departments. SKS BV was born.
The package, in terms of both variety and the many renowned brands represented, allowed customers to buy everything in one go. This way of working constituted the basis for the independent, advisory role, which set SKS apart from other companies in the market.
SKS BV outgrew its office in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and moved to a new office in Waalwijk.
The millennium year 2000 was also a milestone in the history of SKS. In that year, the Siersema family decided to sell the installation and engineering activities to GTI, except SKS.
From 2000, not only end users but also installers found their way to SKS. The new building rapidly became too small and the warehouse was extended. Moreover, in 2002 the shares were transferred to Jan Siersema and Toine Uijttewaal, as a result of which SKS became an independent company.
To support “one-stop shopping”, SKS is the first in the market to develop a digital ordering portal.
The success in the Netherlands did not go unnoticed abroad. Quickly, the demand from the Belgium market started growing. This resulted in the establishment of a branch office in Antwerp, in order to meet demand and guarantee the quality SKS wants to provide.
In 2008, the company had the opportunity to take over the trading activities of FIB Leeuwarden. These activities were transferred to a new building in Drachten.
SKS decided to develop a digital ordering portal to allow for ‘one stop shopping’, unique in the industry at that time.
The presence in Germany became a fact with the opening of a branch office in Dortmund.
In 2015, the company acquired a neighbouring building in Waalwijk, to deal with its structural growth.This resulted in 2,000m2 additional warehouse space and 200m2 additional office space.
The extra space at the location Vijzelweg gave the company the opportunity to start its own training centre. Many customers have since followed theory and hands-on training courses.
More and more parcels were sent all over the world from the branch office in Waalwijk. This resulted in the creation of the company's own export department, boosting growth abroad.
SKS started an in-house e-commerce department because of to the growing demand for digital solutions. This formed the basis for state-of-the-art web solutions, such as the recently introduced website and webshop.
The continuous growth required additional financial means and expertise. Nobel Capital turned out to be the right partner to support SKS and its ambition. The expertise of this investor in the field of digital strategy, modern organization structure and the optimal use of business intelligence fuelled massive growth for SKS.
SKS is ready for the future, with a new look and feel, but especially with the belief that the company has to do its bit for a safer, more efficient and more sustainable production of food and pharmaceuticals.
From 19 January 2023, SKS is part of the technical companies group Indutrade AB; a Swedish listed fund consisting of more than 200 independently operating technical companies. Indutrade's decentralised business model is at the heart of its corporate culture and strategy and ensures that SKS' identity and autonomy are maintained. Support is provided from the Indutrade Benelux holding company in terms of industrial know-how, finance, development and management; an ideal basis for SKS to further build on its long-term international market position. In this, SKS is assigned to the Life Science business group.
As of 1 July 2025, Toine Uijttewaal, co-founder and CEO of SKS since 1994, will hand over the day-to-day management to Maaike Hapers. She will take up the role of CEO. Kees van der Kolk will support her as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Toine will remain affiliated with SKS as Executive Advisor and in this capacity will contribute to the company’s strategic direction and international positioning. Maaike has gained extensive experience within SKS as CFO and has a strong financial and business background. Kees has been with SKS for many years and was previously responsible for Sales Netherlands and Export. With his commercial experience and long-standing track record, he brings stability and strengthens the leadership team. With this change in leadership, SKS ensures continuity and is committed to further growth. Under the new leadership of Maaike and Kees, SKS will focus on sustainable development and strengthening its market position, both nationally and internationally.
