The key to innovation

VDL Enabling Technologies Group (VDL ETG) is part of the Dutch VDL Groep. As a global development and manufacturing company, we cooperate with leading companies in the field of high-tech systems and modules. Thanks to our unique combination of technical knowledge and a high level of craftmanship under one roof, we can always provide a solution, whatever the demand.

Our company started its life as Philips Machinefabriek more than 100 years ago. Since then, we have gained a vast amount of technological knowledge and experience. We are now using this expertise to design, develop, manufacture, and produce complex components and systems. This means that we are continually innovating and making our contribution to the world of tomorrow in the form of state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary teams, and integrated solutions – many of which exist behind the scenes and are not in the public eye.

A legacy of innovation
VDL GROeP – HOW IT ALL BEGAN

'Metaalindustrie en Constructiewerkplaats P. van der Leegte' was established in 1953, laying the foundations of the VDL Groep that exists today. This family business, which was founded in Eindhoven by Pieter van der Leegte senior, started out with just five employees. Under the visionary leadership of Wim van der Leegte and his son Willem, the company developed to become the modern, family-run business we know today, with its network of more than 100 branches.

A transformation
In 1966, Wim van der Leegte joined his father's company aged just 19 while still a student at technical college. Wim started his internship year and got to practise his technical skills at the lathe and the deep drawing presses. In the meantime, he kept his eye on the ball and after six weeks, he had a very good understanding of how the company operated. During the summer and due to a variety of factors, his father Pieter van der Leegte senior became overworked and Wim was therefore left in charge of the company after just three months. He eventually took over all of his father’s shares in the company in 1972.

Third generation
In January 2016, Wim van der Leegte's children, Pieter, Jennifer, and Willem, joined the main board of VDL Groep as the third generation, continuing the legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Homage where homage is due
Sadly, the founder of VDL Groep passed away on 22 January 1991 and the recent loss of Wim van der Leegte on 19 November 2023 has also left a deep void. Their indelible contributions and unwavering dedication continue to inspire the ethos that drives the VDL Groep.

Growth and innovation – the common threads that unite our history
The timeline of our history testifies to our commitment to continuous growth and innovation and inspires and encourages us to keep looking ahead, innovating, and building a future in which technology continues to shape the world. We are proud of our legacy and are enthusiastic about what the next chapters of our story have in store for us.