Driessen’s history goes back to 1938 when Mr. Gerard Driessen sr. started a plumber’s workshop in Limmen, a small village in the Netherlands. In 1946 the first step in the aviation industry was made with the production of oven inserts and glass racks for KLM. The range of catering products grew fast with carrying containers. and other aluminium products. Other airlines followed soon.

When the first Jumbos got operational at the end of the 60’ the product range was extended with the well-known trolleys. In this period Driessen was also a supplier of aluminum parts for Fokker. The shed behind the house of Mr. Driessen gradually developed into a complete factory.

In the early years Driessen was managed by the founder Gerard Driessen. In 1971 he retired and was succeeded by his son Jan. In the course of the 70’s also Jan’s brothers Gé and Peter joined the company. The continued growth of Driessen called for expansion with a second factory. This Dutch facility focused on the production of trolleys.

In the 80’s Driessen continued to grow, changing the local factory into an international company, supplying many airlines and airframe manufacturers including Boeing and Airbus. Driessen was one of the first entrepeneurs that considered moving to low labour countries. This resulted in 1986 in the establishment of the first Driessen facility in Thailand for the production of Galley Equipment; resulting in a direct representation in the Asia Pacific region. After the acquisition of a small galley manufacturer in California in 1986, Driessen extended its product line with galleys. Thereupon other galley facilities were opened in the USA, Mexico and the Netherlands. In 1987 the British company Dyer Engineering in London was acquired. The international supplier became a true multinational, which it still is today.

After a large fire that destroyed the entire office in Limmen in 1994, the headquarters moved to Wieringerwerf, the Netherlands. Driessen extended its product range with cargo containers and pallets after the acquisition of a Dutch ULD manufacturer in 1994. Also in 1994, Driessen took over the galley equipment activities of Lermer Germany, followed by the acquisition of Lermer USA in 1997. In the 90’s Driessen’s activities in repair and maintenance experienced a considerable growth and an international network of service stations on and near major airports was set up.

After three decades of continious growth, the first years of the new century were difficult for Driessen. The aviation industry was hit hard by the events of 9/11, and the stagnation of the world economy forced Driessen to downsize and restructure the organisation. This result was a leaner and more dedicated organisation. The galley production has been concentrated at the Driessen facilities in Garden Grove, California, USA and in Pilsen, the Czech Republic. Galley equipment is mainly manufactured at the Driessen premises in Lamphun, Thailand. The production of cargo equipment has been concentrated in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2005, when the air cargo activities from Alcan were acquired.

Around the turn of the year 1999/2000 the family Driessen reduced its shares in the company. The majority of the shares is now in hands of Dutch financial investors. Gradually Driessen developed from a typical Dutch family business to a business family, while the existing flat organization structure and great flexibility were maintained.

In 2006 the present Board of Directors was installed. The Board consists of Paul Verheul, CEO and Friso Horstmeier, Executive Vice President. They lead the company from the headquarters in Wieringerwerf, the Netherlands.
Today in 2007, Driessen looks forward to grow again through high quality products with value of ownership for our clients. Driessen would be proud to be your number 1 business partner for aircraft interiors and equipment.