"If the region continues to grow, we can grow as a company too"
A true Brainport entrepreneur—that’s how you could describe Lars van der Hoorn. The cheerful owner of Van der Hoorn Buigtechniek combines entrepreneurship with social responsibility. It’s no surprise that the Geldrop-based company was one of the first to join the Brainport Partnerfonds. “We do it together, or we don’t do it at all.”
The family-owned company Van der Hoorn Buigtechniek has evolved over the years from a standard metalworking business to a company specializing in bending and rolling metal tubes. From stair railings and coffee machine piping to components for the high-tech and manufacturing industries. “We are recognized worldwide as the specialist in bending and rolling tubes with extremely small diameters (down to 0.35 mm),” Lars explains. He gives an example: “We are capable of bending tubes as thin as a paperclip. The challenge? Ensuring they don’t ‘collapse,’ like a straw when you bend it too far.” These ultra-thin tubes are eventually used, for example, to transport gases.
While many suppliers in the Brainport region focus on developing semi-finished products, Van der Hoorn intentionally focuses on producing components for semi-finished products. “We are a typical tier-3 supplier. That’s what we excel at; it’s our strength.” Orders for Van der Hoorn Buigtechniek range from single pieces to series of a few hundred. “By choosing to produce only small series, we remain flexible. If a customer needs a product tomorrow, we’ll get it done. That’s the strength of a small, well-coordinated team.”
Social Responsibility as a Foundation
While many entrepreneurs focus on business growth, Van der Hoorn prioritizes quality and attention to his employees. “Of course, you need to keep your company healthy, but for me, those other two aspects are just as important.” In 2015, he handed over the day-to-day operations to employees Bas and Rob, who are now co-owners. In the same year, the entrepreneur founded Brainport Assemblers, a social enterprise offering opportunities to people with limited access to the labor market. “If you show that everyone deserves a chance, it inspires others too. I firmly believe that.”
For Van der Hoorn, social responsibility is far more than a buzzword. “When people feel good and do what makes them happy, a company also performs better. The same applies to our region. If people can live, work, and thrive here, everyone benefits.”
Continuing to Invest
It was no surprise that Van der Hoorn Buigtechniek would join the Brainport Partnerfonds. “I’m from this area, so I’ve seen the region’s entire development. We must not forget how many challenges we’ve already overcome as a region. By continuing to invest, we can move forward together.” He emphasizes that everyone should benefit from Brainport’s growth. “Including those who aren’t yet reaping the rewards of these developments.”
Lars compares the Brainport region to a large machine, where companies act as cogs. “When every cog is turning, the machine runs smoothly. That’s when we can make a real societal impact together. That’s precisely why I believe in the Brainport Partnerfonds. It’s the oil that keeps the machine running smoothly.”
