All Bell ceremonies

Open Day Dutch building and infrastructure sector

Association of Dutch building and infrastructure companies chairman Maxime Verhagen sounds gong

Maxime Verhagen, Chairman of the Association of Dutch building and infrastructure companies, sounds the gong at the Amsterdam exchange ahead of the 11th ‘Dag van de Bouw’, on 4 June. Throughout The Netherlands everyone is welcome to visit some of the 160 construction sites which have opened their gates on this annual open day.

“This day is a kind of benchmark. How is our sector developing? What are we working on today?”, mr. Verhagen explains. “This past week I therefore embarked on an ‘innovation journey’ along various construction sites and companies. Often our sector is labeled as ‘not innovative’ or even ‘conservative’. Fortunately many projects tell a different story. I have witnessed many and wildly varying innovations in close up. And moreover, heard the accompanying stories, with narrators brimming with pleasure and profound satisfaction, rooted in the true cooperation between bidders, construction companies and the sites’ neighbours. Of course technical genius is part of it, but true innovation exceeds the mere engineering solutions.”

“Solutions for example of traffic congestion, or ingenuity employed on reinforcing our dikes, which is of course a classic Dutch challenge. Or the challenge of providing an efficient solution for the aging inhabitants of low-cost rental houses. They can now live their lives in upgraded, care-friendly sustainable homes. To put it this way: innovation in the construction sector is equivalent to solving a puzzle together, in a dynamic environment. This is how we invest in society. We’re facing major challenges in the near future, but we’re confident in meeting tomorrow’s demands of 18 million people in our country!”

The Euronext listed construction companies Heijmans, BAM and Boskalis highlight different construction projects during ‘Dag van de Bouw’. 

For more information: www.dagvandebouw.nl

Best SME-award North-Holland

Winners Best SME-award North-Holland open trading at Beursplein 5

The winners of the Best North-Holland SME-awards open trading at Beursplein 5. GP Groot (Large SMEs), Zuiver (Medium SMEs) and Klaas Bart Hoveniers (Small SMEs) emerged as  winners. This year’s public choice award went to Van ‘t Hek Bros from Beemster.

For the jury, important distinctive criteria were personnel management, innovation, creativity and financial policy. According to the chairman of the entrepreneurs’ organisation of North-Holland  OVNH and member of the judging committee Jeroen Zwinkels, the jury visits were truly inspiring.

Partners and sponsors of the Best North-Holland SME-awards are: Randstad and Provincie Noord-Holland, MKB Noord-Holland, ABN AMRO, Delta Lloyd, Holland Media Combinatie, RSM Niehe Lancée Kooij, RTVNH and Media Support/Kantoor 260. 

For more information: www.ovnh.nl

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ICT Group

ICT Group sounds the gong to celebrate name change

ICT Group (ticker symbol: ICT) opens trading on the Amsterdam exchange by sounding the gong. This was done to mark the statutory name change of ICT Automatisering N.V. to ICT Group N.V.

The proposition was approved on the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 11, 2016. The name change was necessary to better reflect the international character of the company and to enable the company to add new labels to the group. “Sounding the gong is our way to present our new name to investors. We are proud to be here” says Jan Willem Wienbelt, CFO at ICT Group.

ICT Group is a leading industrial technology solutions and services provider. Specific industry knowledge of various markets, enables us to realize innovative solutions. Over 750 passionate technical specialists are working for the ICT Group. The main subsidiaries of the ICT Group are: ICT Netherlands, Strypes, Raster, Improve and BMA.

For more information: www.ict.eu

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Coca-Cola European Partners

Euronext Amsterdam welcomes Coca-Cola European Partners

Coca-Cola European Partners (ticker symbol: CCE), a major European fast-moving consumer goods company and the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler based on net sales, starts trading on the Amsterdam and London markets of Euronext. John Brock, CEO of Coca-Cola European Partners, sounds the gong together with Sol Daurella, Chairman Coca-Cola European Partners, to celebrate the listing.

Coca-Cola European Partners is a new company created by the merger of three Western European bottlers; Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners SAU and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke GmbH.

Coca-Cola European Partners is a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company in Europe, producing, distributing and marketing an extensive range of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages and is the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler based on net sales. Coca-Cola European Partners serves a consumer population of over 300 million across Western Europe, including Andorra, Belgium, continental France, Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.  The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext London, the New York Stock Exchange and on the Spanish stock exchanges.

For more information: www.ccep.com

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Philips Innovation Award 2016

Mobile text processor for deaf people wins Philips Innovation Award 2016

Student startup Ava, creator of a mobile text processor for deaf people, won the Philips Innovation Award 2016. Ava can now call itself the most innovative student startup of the Netherlands and opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange to celebrate. Pieter Nota, Member Executive Committee and Board of Management, Royal Philips, sounds the gong.

The winning students showed the big impact of their invention to the jury presided by Pieter Nota, CEO Personal Health of Philips. Ava is a smartphone application for deaf people, that shows in less than a second who says what in the environment. To do this, Ava records the sound of the environment with every present phone with the app. This way, Ava wants to empower deaf people. The Ava team are students at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The Philips Innovation Award is the largest student-entrepreneur Award in The Netherlands. The winner wins the prize worth € 50,000. Speaker at the finale of the 11th edition in the Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam were Yuri Van Geest (Founder Singularity University) and Harald Swinkels (Founder Nederlandse Energiemaatschappij)

For more information: www.phia.nl

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Topvrouwen Foundation

Topvrouwen Foundation sounds gong for more females in the Boardroom

With a renewed and ever growing database of board-ready top women, directors and trailblazers of Topvrouwen.nl are taking up the challenge to attain more women at the top. Marry de Gaay Fortman, Chair Topvrouwen Foundation, sounds the gong.

According to Topvrouwen Foundation, boardrooms function better when featuring the best people, with a good blend of perspective and background. Women's voices belong there. They state that Dutch companies, however, are progressing very slowly and with currently just 10%, the ultimate goal of 30 % women at the top is a long way away. Companies are missing the boat when it comes to bringing in all of society's talent. The discussion that continues to flare up is to whether or not introduce a mandatory quota. Topvrouwen.nl is convinced that this should not be necessary.

Topvrouwen Foundation recognizes the importance of a greater proportion of women at the top of the Dutch business community. With a view to innovative ability, balanced decision-making and the broadest possible social tuned antennas, gender diversity belongs in on top of the company’s boardroom agenda.

For more information: www.topvrouwen.nl

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IPO Philips Lighting

Euronext welcomes Philips Lighting

Philips Lightings (ticker symbol: LIGHT), global leader in lighting products, and Euronext announced the start of the public trading of Philips Lighting on Euronext Amsterdam. Eric Rondolat, CEO Philips Lighting, sounds the gong to celebrate the listing.

The IPO on Euronext Amsterdam will enable larger institutional investors to invest in the company, further enhance Philip Lightings’ public profile and work towards their future goal to take light beyond illumination and transform homes, building and urban spaces. 

Philips Lighting  is the global leader in lighting products, systems and services. Their understanding of how lighting positively affects people coupled with their deep technological know-how enable them to deliver digital lighting innovations that unlock new business value, deliver rich user experiences and help to improve lives. Serving professional and consumer markets, they sell more energy efficient LED lighting than any other company.

For more information: www.lighting.philips.com

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55th anniversary VBA investment professionals

VBA investment professionals celebrates anniversary by sounding the gong

VBA investment professionals celebrates its 55^th anniversary by sounding the gong. The anniversary focusses on financial education, now that people are making make more financial choices themselves. Educational and financial organisations seize this development to make consumers aware of the increasing financial responsibility. For now, the various education initiatives have not been sufficiently effective. Especially young people are not sufficiently aware of the financial choices they have to make. The VBA wants its anniversary to contribute to the increasing awareness of the importance of financial education. Ultimately the VBA wants to contribute to solutions that enable people to make better financial choices.

VBA investment professionals has grown since its inception in 1961 to become the leading professional association in the Netherlands when it comes to the interests of investment professionals and their clients. The association's main objective is to maintain and improve the quality and integrity of investment professionals. The VBA has more than 1,300 members working in different disciplines within the financial world, from large banks and institutional investors to specialized investment firms and private wealth managers.

For more information: www.vbabeleggingsprofessionals.nl

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Amsterdam Science & Innovation Award

Finalists Amsterdam Science & Innovation Award open trading

Alexander Rinnooy Kan along with the finalists of the Amsterdam Science & Innovation Award will strike the bell, announcing the award ceremony on 26 May. This Amsterdam prize is awarded to the most innovative scientific idea with a commercial or social application. The afternoon, which is dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship, will be opened by alderperson Kajsa Ollongren.

Ten finalists will pitch their idea on Thursday, May 26th for a jury, chaired by Alexander Rinnooy Kan,  and the public. The idea should not only fulfill a need in society but also have a practical application. Prior to the final a matchmaking event will take place where researchers and students share their ideas and new technologies via speed dates with companies, entrepreneurs and investors. The submitted innovations and new technologies offer breakthrough solutions for a variety of social issues.

The Amsterdam Science & Innovation Award was established 11 years ago to make knowledge from Amsterdam universities and research centers more visible and to foster entrepreneurship. The objective is to stimulate cooperation between knowledge institutions and companies. The Award is organized by IXA (Innovation Exchange Amsterdam, the valorisation center of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) and the Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC) in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Science Park.

For more information: www.ixa.nl

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IPO ForFarmers

Euronext welcomes ForFarmers on Euronext Amsterdam

Euronext welcomes ForFarmers (ticker symbol: FFARM), the European market leader of conventional and organic feed solutions for livestock on Euronext Amsterdam. Yoram Knoop, CEO ForFarmers, sounds the gong to celebrate the listing.

The listing on Euronext Amsterdam will enable institutional investors to invest in the company, further enhance ForFarmers’ public profile and brand recognition and create better liquidity for existing holders of securities.

ForFarmers is an internationally operating company active in the area of conventional and organic feed solutions for livestock. With sales of approximately 9.1 million tons of feed annually, ForFarmers is a market leader in Europe. With its products, ForFarmers offers customers additional knowledge and advice in the areas of feed, animal keeping and business development.
Net sales amounts to € 2.2 billion.

For more information: www.forfarmersgroup.eu

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European Corporate Governance Conference

NCD opens trading to mark European Corporate Governance Conference

The Netherlands association of Corporate Directors(NCD) opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange, on the occasion of the 18^th  European Corporate Governance Conference as part of the European Presidency of the Netherlands. The conference on May 25^th organized by the NCD in collaboration with ecoDa and the European Commission is an ideal moment to look ahead with European directors and supervisory board members and anticipate; what do the changes and the shift towards Corporate Social Entrepreneurship mean for the future of supervision and leadership.

In line with ‘Disruptive Thoughts, Entrepreneurial Action!’ a variety of international Opinion leaders will provide you with all the future proof lessons learned, complemented with inspiration sessions and striking examples of Social Entrepreneurs. Participants of the conference contribute to the debate on 'Future Proof Governance', meet their fellow European directors, board members, stakeholders and experts,  see inspiring examples of ‘Future Proof’ sustainable initiatives and companies, find out how they can make a difference in a role as a (non) executive director and explore the ‘next case’ with fellow participants concerning sustainable governance.

For more information: www.csrnl.nl

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Startup Fest Europe

HRH prince Constantijn van Oranje sounding gong ahead of Startup Fest Europe

His Royal Highness prince Constantijn van Oranje, Chairman of Startup Fest, sounds the gong ahead of Startup Fest Europe. Startup Fest Europe is a nationwide festival of events that help startups grow faster by bringing together founders, investors, business leaders and developers around specific themes.

In the first half of 2016 The Netherlands holds the presidency of the European Union. Startup Fest Europe is a great way to show the world that the West Coast of Europe is a hot bed for startups and innovation.

Startup Fest was initiated by Startup Delta after consultations in early 2015 with leaders of the Dutch startup eco system. HRH prince Constantijn van Oranje chaired these consultations and invited 75 leaders of the Dutch startup community to voice their views on how to create a true “West Coast of Europe” and bring international venture capitals and startups to the Netherlands. These week-long match making activities are a joint effort of startup hubs in the cities of Amsterdam, Arnhem, Delft, Eindhoven, Enschede, Geleen, Leeuwarden, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Wageningen, Groningen and Zwolle.

For more information: www.startupfesteurope.com

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The Next Web Conference

Sounding of the gong for TNW Conference

Every year, the city of Amsterdam hosts The Next Web Conference – Europe's most important technology and innovation gathering that brings together thousands of people from all over the world, coming to see inspiring talks from world leaders. Patrick de Laive, Co-founder of The Next Web, sounds the gong.

This year’s event promises to be the biggest one yet, with heavyweight names from the tech, media, business and design world, such as YouTube Star Casey Neistat), Gary Vaynerchuck (Vaynermedia), Steve Huffman (Reddit), Werner Vogels (Amazon), Julie Zhuo (Facebook) and Peter Sunde (The PirateBay).

TNW Conference is a two-day technology festival that brings together international technology executives, top-tier investors and promising startups for two days of business and knowledge sharing. Over the past 10 editions TNW Conference has grown to be one of the leading technology events, bringing together 10,000 attendees a day and 3,000 companies from all over the world.

For more information: www.thenextweb.com

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Innovation Summit female entrepreneurship

TheNextWomen & OPZIJ sound gong for female entrepreneurship

TheNextWomen and OPZIJ sound the going to announce the Innovation Summit on 23 May at Pakhuis West Amsterdam. The Innovation Summit connects female start-ups, scale-ups, investors and business experts and is part of EU2016.

Entrepreneurs’ platform TheNextWomen offers a stage to inspiring and successful female entrepreneurs during its yearly Innovation Summit. Joining forces with OPZIJ magazine this year, TheNextWomen bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and the corporate sector. Two worlds that need to show more active participation and engagement towards each other, in order to have an inclusive ecosystem and healthy economy.  At The Innovation Summit, TheNextWomen and OPZIJ will call upon their partners, political leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and the corporate sector to join forces to support ambitious female entrepreneurs.

For more information: www.thenextwomen100.nl

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Teslin Capital Management

Teslin sounds the gong on Amsterdam exchange to celebrate 25th anniversary

Teslin Capital Management, investor in small and medium-sized listed companies, sound the gong on the Amsterdam stock exchange to mark their 25th anniversary.

Teslin was set up in 1991 by Aleid Kruize and Frederik van Beuningen. Darlin, Teslin’s first fund, was followed by Todlin and Midlin. Darlin and Todlin invest in stakes of 5% or larger in small and medium-sized listed Dutch companies, while Midlin invests in medium-sized companies, primarily in the Netherlands and Germany. Teslin also manages investment company ‘Rhoon, Pendrecht en Cortgene’, which invests in agricultural land.

“Sounding the gong on the Amsterdam exchange is a great way of marking Teslin’s 25th anniversary,” says Van Beuningen. “The exchange is where companies and investors meet and we believe in what the Amsterdam exchange does. We’d love to see more fantastic Dutch companies being listed in the next few years. The stock exchange is the place to raise capital from investors to allow businesses to grow.”

For more information: www.teslin.nl

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Renault celebrates 40 years cup races by sounding the gong

As a brand with over 115 years of history within the motorsport, Renault Netherlands started a sponsorship with Stichting Groot Hart to celebrate 40 years Renault cup racing. Together they sound the gong at the Amsterdam exchange.

Stichting Groot Hart is a foundation that delivers a day on the race circuit for sick children between the ages of 5 and 17 and their family. Renault Netherlands organizes activities for Groot Hart during three race meetings. The start of the co-operation between Renault and Groot Hart takes place during the Pinkster races at circuit park Zandvoort.

Stichting Groot Hart was founded by Dutch television presenter and racing driver Rob Kamphues, who is usually present at the racing days where the children and their families are treated as VIPs. The highlight of the day is when the kids get to go for a ride in a Renault Racing car next to a real racing driver.

For more information: www.cliocupbenelux.com

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European Enterprise Promotion Awards

Winners European Enterprise Promotion Awards sound gong

The winners of the Dutch finals of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2016 visit Beursplein 5 and open trading by sounding the gong.

The European Commission recognizes innovation with The European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) and rewards successful examples of good business policy every year. The awards are intended for: local and regional governments, research institutions, schools and public-private partnerships that encourage entrepreneurship in creative and inspiring projects, for SMEs in particular.

The two best initiatives will represent the Netherlands at the European finals at the SME Assembly in Bratislava 30 November 2016. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency organizes the European Enterprise Promotion Awards for the European Commission on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This year the Awards will be presented for the tenth time.

For more information: www.rvo.nl

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Sif Group

Sif Group celebrates listing on Euronext Amsterdam

EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary dedicated to promoting and growing its SME market, welcomes Sif Group (ticker symbol: SIFG) on Euronext Amsterdam. Sif celebrates its listing by sounding the gong.

Sif is a leading manufacturer of large steel tubulars which are used as foundation components for the offshore wind and offshore oil & gas markets. The company manufactures customized tubular components for offshore foundations, predominantly in the greater North Sea region. Sif is headquartered in Roermond, the Netherlands, with a production site of over 100,000m2 and 13 production halls, strategically located along a key waterway in the Netherlands.

For more information: www.sif-group.com

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