Krommenhoek Metals Receives the Royal Designation “Purveyor to the Royal Household by Royal Decree”

Rotterdam: Krommenhoek Metals, a Rotterdam-based family business active in metal recycling, was awarded the title “Purveyor to the Royal Household by Royal Decree” on Friday, October 24. The honor was presented by Wouter Kolff, King’s Commissioner for South Holland, in the presence of Deputy Mayor Tim Versnel.

Bas Krommenhoek accepted the award on behalf of the family-owned business, together with his business partners Lútzen Brink and Henry Oudshoorn. The award ceremony took place at the catalytic converter recycling facility, where precious metals are recovered from used catalytic converters.

A milestone in a century of entrepreneurship

Krommenhoek Metals will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. What began in 1925 as a small cigar shop on the Vlietkade in Rotterdam has grown into a modern company that actively contributes to the circular economy.

During World War II, the company came under the temporary control of the occupying forces, but after liberation, the family managed to rebuild and continue the business. Subsequent generations continued to grow the company, expanded its operations, and invested in modernization and sustainability.

Today, Krommenhoek Metals is a leading family-owned business with locations in Rotterdam and the Westland region, as well as sister companies in Tilburg and Iceland.

Recognition for Craftsmanship and Reliability

The title “Purveyor to the Royal Household” is awarded to companies that hold a leading position in their region, have been in business for at least 100 years, and enjoy an impeccable reputation. Only about 500 of the more than 2.5 million companies in the Netherlands hold this title.

For Krommenhoek Metals, the award is a recognition of craftsmanship, continuity, and sustainable impact. “This recognition is the result of generations of hard work, entrepreneurship, and innovation,” says Bas Krommenhoek. “We are proud that, as a family-owned business, we—together with our employees—are contributing to the circular economy and the climate transition.”

The title “Purveyor to the Royal Household”

A quintessentially Rotterdam family business

During the award ceremony, Deputy Mayor Tim Versnel highlighted the company’s Rotterdam spirit: “Krommenhoek Metals is the textbook example of a quintessentially Rotterdam-based company. It’s full of diversity, with go-getters who take action and look to the future. The company demonstrates that tradition and innovation go hand in hand.”

Looking to the Future

With an eye toward the future, Krommenhoek Metals continues to invest in modern technology, digitization, and sustainability. A key priority is closing material and raw material loops, providing customers with insight into their CO₂ savings by recycling their metal streams through Krommenhoek.

The title of “Purveyor to the Royal Household” is thus not only a recognition of past achievements, but also an incentive for the future.

Special Recognition for Rotterdam

With this designation, the city of Rotterdam now has fifteen companies that are authorized to use the title “Purveyor to the Royal Household by Royal Decree.” This is a special mark of recognition for companies that not only have a rich history but also make a valuable contribution to the regional economy and society.