The history of Koopman

The history of Koopman

Our history

The sole ownership company started by Siebe Koopman Sr. in 1923 has grown to become one of the largest logistics service providers within the Benelux. From generation to generation, our family firm has developed into an international enterprise employing more than 1100 people and offering a wide range of services and facilities. Koopman is not just growing for the sake of growth, but rather based on the drive to optimally serve customers. Takeovers and innovations have always and will always be based on optimisation of the chain. The time line has a number of particularly special milestones.

1923
Siebe Koopman, the farrier

Siebe Koopman, the farrier

Most of the customers of the young farrier Siebe Koopman from Briltil were milk drivers who transported milk to the dairy factory in Briltil. It earned him a living to support his family, but that was to change as more and more milk drivers swapped their horse and cart for a truck.

1930
Siebe bought a truck

Siebe bought a truck

Siebe Koopman therefore decided to earn a living as a milk driver. Slowly but surely, other work was added, such as the transport of butter and rough fodder for the farmers. In 1936, he bought a second truck, to be driven by his son Klaas.

1950
A broader base

A broader base

From the 1950s on, other products were transported, such as building materials and sugar beet. This gave the company a much broader base. In 1962, Koopman introduced the trailer coupling system: the driver delivered one trailer and picked up another.

1964
The start of car transport

The start of car transport

The first 2 car transporters were purchased in 1964. It was a difficult start, but Koopman was soon able to take advantage of the massive growth in the number of passenger cars. By the end of the 1960s, Koopman bade farewell to milk transport.

1971
Establishment in the central Netherlands

Establishment in the central Netherlands

As the working area for car transport continued to grow, there was a need for a second branch in the central Netherlands. This wish was to come true when Koopman took over a car transport company in Hoevelaken.

1988
General cargo also growing

General cargo also growing

The general cargo business also continues to grow. A brand-new location is rising in Nijkerk, which will also house the car transporters from Hoevelaken.

1999
TransMission: extensive distribution network

TransMission: extensive distribution network

Together with 12 other independent transport companies, throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, Koopman forms an extensive distribution network to cover the entire Benelux. This new service is named TransMission.

2004
More than just transport

More than just transport

Thanks to the takeover of the car terminals in Amsterdam (2004) and Born (2006), Koopman can offer fully integrated services. Large volumes of vehicles are transported, prepared for use and delivered on.

2014
Even more specialities

Even more specialities

Upon taking over Möhlmann (2014), Smink (2017) and ACM Fleetforce (2019), Koopman has further expanded the range of services to include closed transport, exclusive transport, fleet management and a pool of drivers who can quickly deliver or collect a single vehicle.

2018
100% Electric

100% Electric

By 2025, Transport & Logistics would like to see new trucks driving in Dutch city centres have zero CO2 emissions. Koopman TransMission's 100% electric delivery van (2018) and Koopman Cargo's eTGM (2022) are a start on the zero emission era in city logistics.

2023
100 years Koopman

100 years Koopman

With the fourth generation at the wheel, Koopman is celebrating an anniversary year in 2023. Something that started in 1923 as a one-man company has grown 100 years later into the logistics company they are today.