MARKED BY TRADITION, STRONG THROUGH INNOVATION

The second generation – Dielis’ four sons – continued under the name ‘Firma gebroeders Hakkers’. They increasingly focused more on processing, resulting in a reed mat factory, a hoop factory and a collaboration with a stem factory. Besides wicker and reed products, the attendant use of hydraulic engineering became increasingly important. This led to the acceptance of the first coastal and shoreline works.

The flood disaster on 1 February 1953 took the lives of many people and caused untold damage. The traditionally skilled ‘hydraulic engineers’ of Biesbosch took part in the reconstruction. Hakkers became actively involved in repairing the dike breaches, including those at Moerdijk, Bergen op Zoom, Ossendrecht and the Brabant Biesbosch.

In November 1970, the Haringvliet inlet was closed and that was the end of the Biesbosch as a freshwater tidal area. That ended wicker and reed production so Hakkers went fully into the contracting business. The traditional craftsmen underwent specialised retraining to become earth and water workers. The wicker and reed craftsmen who sometimes spent weeks working independently now became the first Hakkers representatives.

The fourth generation continues to expand the business and prepare the fifth generation for further involvement in the family business. In this period, the family business motto is ‘Everything in-house’. For example, Hakkers became a specialist in foundation engineering when Jetmix (foundation engineering domain specialist) was established. This allowed Hakkers to carry out such projects itself. We are also starting the Design & Construct department where contemporary forms of contracts are mastered. Currently, the company consciously focuses on one strong brand: Hakkers. This typifies our broad deployability and integrated approach within the fields of hydraulic engineering, foundation engineering and steel construction. We will focus more on an even safer working environment for Hakkers’ staff and sustainability as part of the company’s core values.

Dielis Cornelis Hakkers acquired his first work assignment entirely by himself. This marked the birth of the current company. His energetic approach, willpower, knowledge and insight contributed to numerous works being contracted and executed in a relatively short period of time. This included the construction and repair of quays and dikes as well as fortification of roads. D.C. Hakkers’ life entailed land reclamation and maintenance of the Biesbosch tidal wetland, and harvesting and selling wicker and reed items.

In the financial crisis of the 1930s, the firm turned to contracting. Fascine mattresses and osier mats were then taken on by the firm. These were manufactured and used for coastal works in Zeeland and for roads in marshlands.

Early in the 1950s, the third generation of Hakkers stepped in to lead the company. They invested in equipment and hired people to handle their anticipated larger orders. This business steadily expanded to include specialties such as bank work, earthwork and dredging. An in-house maintenance and repair service was started due to the increased number of machines. This was set up in the Biesbosch harbour in Werkendam at the location of the current steel construction hall.

The purchase of cutter suction dredger Gooimeer in late 1969 was a milestone for the Hakkers company. The company’s fourth generation took the helm. After they took over, the structural disciplines of piling work, concrete work and steel work were added. This was in proximity to water and was described as structural hydraulic engineering. These disciplines require investment in both highly skilled staff as well as machinery, ships and a steel construction hall.