From pioneering industrial projects in Eastern Europe to future-proof production lines across Europe.
For more than 65 years, Vekamaf has connected manufacturers with advanced production technology, engineering expertise, and trusted international partnerships. What started as a small export office in Rotterdam evolved into an international organization supporting industries ranging from chemicals and pharmaceuticals to food and FMCG. Across three generations of leadership and multiple local engineering teams, our focus has remained the same: understanding production challenges and connecting customers with the right technologies and expertise.
Opening Eastern Europe to Industrial Innovation
Founded in 1959 by Cornelis “Cor” Aafjes, Vekamaf built its reputation by connecting Western European technology suppliers with rapidly developing industries behind the Iron Curtain. One of the company’s defining achievements was its involvement in the MOST ammonia plant project in Czechoslovakia, one of the largest industrial investments of its time.
By combining technology, engineering expertise, and international partnerships, Vekamaf demonstrated its ability to support complex industrial projects that extended far beyond equipment supply.
Understanding Production Challenges Before Others Did
Long before digital communication and online sourcing platforms existed, Vekamaf built its business by visiting factories, speaking directly with engineers, and understanding future investment plans. By learning what production companies needed years before projects reached the market, the company established a reputation as a trusted partner capable of finding the right technology for each application.
Engineering Partnerships Across Europe
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Vekamaf became a familiar presence at major industrial trade fairs such as the Brno and Leipzig Messe. These events brought together engineers, manufacturers, and industrial leaders from across Europe.
During this period, Vekamaf expanded its supplier network, supported complete industrial projects, and helped commercialize innovations such as the Cojafex induction pipe bending technology, which became an internationally recognized solution for heavy industry applications.
Preparing Vekamaf for a New Europe
When Rob Aafjes took over leadership in the early 1980s, the company faced economic challenges, changing markets, and increasing international competition. By restructuring the organization, strengthening its project business, and investing in new opportunities, he prepared Vekamaf for the major political and economic changes that would soon transform Central and Eastern Europe.
Building the Czech and Slovak Team
Following the Velvet Revolution, Richard Vertich joined Vekamaf and established the Prague office. Drawing on his extensive experience in the Czech process industries, he helped transform Vekamaf from a supplier network into a project-oriented engineering organization.
The Prague team supported major investments in chemical production, energy, environmental technology, and industrial modernization. Today, this legacy continues under the leadership of Milan Vich, who continues to strengthen relationships with manufacturers across the Czech and Slovak markets.
From Export Organization to Local Engineering Support
As state purchasing organizations disappeared and factories gained direct responsibility for investments, customers needed a different type of partner. Success increasingly depended on local knowledge, technical expertise, and long-term relationships. Vekamaf responded by building local organizations that combined regional market understanding with access to leading international technologies.
Growing Holimex in Hungary
In Hungary, Peter Rudolf helped build Holimex from a one-person operation into a respected engineering organization serving pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and manufacturing industries. With his background in pharmaceutical engineering, Peter developed a strong reputation for solving complex production challenges and supporting customers long after equipment delivery.
His philosophy remains central to the organization today: listen carefully, take responsibility, and never walk away from a production challenge.
More than three decades later, Peter remains actively involved in supporting customers and mentoring engineers.
Supporting Industry Through Change
As Central European industries modernized, Vekamaf continued to expand its expertise across multiple sectors. Local teams worked closely with manufacturers to improve production processes, introduce new technologies, and support factory investments. The company’s strength increasingly came from combining local market knowledge with access to specialized technology partners throughout Europe.
From Equipment Supplier to Production Line Partner
Under the leadership of Jorrit Aafjes, the third generation of the Aafjes family, Vekamaf evolved from a traditional equipment supplier into a production line engineering organization.
As manufacturing became more specialized and interconnected, the company strengthened its industry focus, expanded its digital knowledge platforms, and developed a network of production line engineers capable of supporting customers from machine selection and integration through commissioning, optimization, and long-term operation.
Production Line Engineers for the Factories of Tomorrow
Today, Vekamaf supports manufacturers across Europe with local engineering expertise, specialized production knowledge, and a strong network of technology partners. Our production line engineers help keep factories running, integrate new equipment, and prepare production lines for future growth, automation, and changing market demands.
Driving Production.
Delivering Results.
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