More than 140 years after the first cooperation in 1876 between Nicolaas van Haaren and Hendrik Willem Ackermans, two entrepreneurs from Kerkdriel in the Netherlands, Ackermans & van Haaren has grown into a diversified international listed group, firmly anchored in the hands of Belgian families, with a market capitalisation of approximately five billion euros.
If the history of Ackermans & van Haaren has taught us one thing, it is the belief that long-term value creation can be achieved by focusing on sustainable growth starting from a financially sound balance sheet, in cooperation with partners who share the same vision.
For us, sustainability is not a buzzword. For many years now, Ackermans & van Haaren has invested in companies that make an innovative contribution to solutions for societal changes such as global warming, energy transition, facilitation of international free trade, ageing population or sustainable agriculture.
Not only as a shareholder, but also in its role as a company taking part in society and as an employer of more than 20,000 people, Ackermans & van Haaren is aware of the need to constantly improve its societal relations, economic performance and ecological footprint.
We firmly believe that focusing on sustainable growth makes for motivated staff members, innovative products and services, and –ultimately- better financial results. In our view, sustainable behaviour is based on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, ethical conduct and the incorporation of aspects of corporate social responsibility in investment decisions.