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Sonneveld Group B.V. supplies an extensive range of bread improvers, bread mixes and release agents to both artisan and industrial bakeries. An important part of our turnover comes from exports to countries in Europe, the Middle East, South America and South-East Asia. Sonneveld is one of the most important players in the Benelux.The company was set up in Sliedrecht, Holland in 1956 by Mr E.J. Sonneveld Sr. and his eldest son C.G. Sonneveld. Several years before, the former had sold a number of successful bakers' shops. When it was founded, the factory was known as Soneco, factory for shortenings and emulsions.
At that time, most suppliers in the market carried a large range of bakery ingredients. The emphasis was primarily on almond paste. Sonneveld and Co. deliberately chose to specialise in bread improvers. A good choice. The small workshop in a garage was soon replaced by a new factory with modern installations in Sliedrecht.
The current Manager/Owner, Mr G.C. Sonneveld, joined the company in 1961. After the move to our current location in Papendrecht in 1971, the range of bakery ingredients was supplemented with bread improvers in powder form, for which a new powder factory was opened in 1995.
In the '80s and '90s, three companies were taken over. As a result, Sonneveld expanded its range with fruit and gelatine products, imitation chocolate, pastry mixes, almond paste, marzipan and yellow cream powders.
Quality has a very high priority at Sonneveld, which is why the company attained the NEN-ISO 9001 certificate in 1992.
In 1998, the constant impulse to innovate led to the introduction of liquid bread improvers for the industrial segment.
Following a merger, the Sonneveld Group B.V. came into being in 1999, with 2 sites: Sonneveld Papendrecht (head office) and Sonneveld Leeuwarden. In 2000, the Leeuwarden site was sold. Because the existing warehouse had become too small, a new warehouse was taken into use following a grand opening in 2001.
In 2002, a difficult decision had to be taken for the sake of the preservation and continuity of the company. Pastry operations were cut back to a low level, meaning that around 25 people had to leave the company.
Sonneveld's most recent innovation is aimed at the artisan bakery segment: the Block Improver! This is a bread improver in block form which offers the advantages of both paste and powder.
On 6 September 2005, Sonneveld opened its Palipro plant, the largest fully automated factory in Europe for the production of liquid, oil-based bread improvers. The success of the Proson and Liquison products made capacity expansion essential for the production of these innovations.
The Beheermaatschappij Sonneveld B.V. (Sonneveld Management Company) determines the direction of policy and company goals, with guidance from the Supervisory Board. Sonneveld also has a Works Council, the importance of whose role is emphasised by the management.