Our story
Since 1922, and we only just begun!
Since 1922, and we only just begun!
NNZ started in 1922 and was successful connecting with foreign cultures, taking each next day as an adventure offering new opportunities. Based on these strengths its founder and successors – entrepreneurs ‘pur sang’ – pursue the ambition to become a multinational supplier of packaging materials to agricultural and industrial markets. We set out to create inspired packaging solutions for the shared success of our customers, suppliers and employees.
Today, NNZ is an international company specialising in packaging for customers in the fruit and vegetable sector and industry. The family business has steadily developed into an organization with a headquarter in Groningen (The Netherlands), €170 million revenue, 250 employees, a global network of partners and 24 branches in Europe, United States, Canada and Africa.
Our vision
NNZ wants to create inspired packaging solutions for the shared success of our customers, suppliers and employees.
Our mission
We offer sustainable packaging solutions tailored to current and future customer needs, understanding our customer and supporting them with a leading portfolio in focus areas, and fast, responsive customized services and advice.
Our beliefs
We can achieve this only thanks to our strong network of partners in flexible way:
Growth has been based on NNZ strengths including it’s people, relationships and the value offered to clients, following our strategy of customer intimacy and service.
Our 1st decade revolved around pioneering: Founder Rien Boot (1889-1964) brings the story of NNZ (Noord Nederlandsche Zakkenhandel) to life in 1922. The first branch being the warehouse in Groningen called Libau, soon followed in 1924 by a building on the Hoornsche Diep in Groningen. Pioneering steps include: trips abroad to the Baltic States, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Also, the purchase of jute bags and jute cloth in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. In 1928 a turnover was made of NLG 334,000.
Our 2nd decade revolved around exploring. Leendert Boot (1911-1972) travelled to every corner of Europe for business opportunities. In 1939 he even visited America, where he established contacts with a sugar factory. In America, he purchased paper and cotton sugar sacks, which he shipped to the Netherlands via the Holland America Line.
Our 3rd decade revolved around dedication. In order to meet growing demand, after the war Leendert once again started his travels. In 1947 he purchased jute bags in America and Canada. Multiwall paper bags were added to the assortment and a joint venture was initiated with the American Chase Bag company in response to the development of Spain as a key sales market for onion bags.
Our 4th decade revolved around reliability. Reliable deliveries and business integrity drive the company forward. In 1954, Rien Boot’s second son, Wim Boot, joined the company. In 1957, NNZ had around 50 employees and celebrated the opening of a new location with the 1st jute printing machine.
Our 5th decade revolved around changes, the 1960s were hallmarked by NNZ embarking on new avenues. New packaging materials – such as lino sacks, multiwall paper sacks, cardboard, polypropylene and polyethylene started to play an increasingly important role. Following the departure of Mr. Boot Sr. on 1 December 1961, Leendert and Wim Boot became directors of NNZ.
Our 6th decade revolved around rebranding NNZ. In 1970 Wim Boot decided to change the name 'Noord Nederlandsche Zakkenhandel N.V.' into 'NNZ industrial packaging bv.'. This was decided because of the increasing international contacts and the product range that was no longer been limited to bags but included many other types of packaging.
Our 7th decade revolved around the start of geographic expansion. In 1983, the company opened its first office in Germany, and two years later it opened its own sales office in Roswell, Georgia, under the management of Marco Boot. By 1998, NNZ had 100 employees, 14 international branches and doubled its turnover in five years to approximately NLG 100 million.
Our 8th decade revolved around repositioning. Len Boot joined NNZ and repositioned NNZ as an independent advisor that offered the best packaging solutions for its customers and skipped its own production. He started a research and development department which led to a series of award-winning packaging products such as Carry-Fresh, Liqui-Sorb and Twin-Bag.
Our 9th decade revolved around a new vision. In June 2002, a new logo and tag-line were introduced: NNZ the packaging network. NNZ grew into the hub of an international network of producers, packers, distributors, universities, governments and customers. From 2004, Len Boot, the third generation, led the company. On 11 May 2007, NNZ opened a new and sustainable office in Groningen for NNZ Benelux and the NNZ Group. ISO and BRC certifications crowns the quality of the company's processes and products.
Our 10th decade revolved around multinational. NNZ is a market leader for transport, wholesale and consumer packaging for produce. The company continues its growthpath in industrial packaging. The company reached a turnover of €170 million, employs 250 people and has 22 own subsidiaries in 18 countries. The company also has an international network of companies with which it cooperates in more than 50 countries around the world.
Today, NNZ continues to grow ias a multinational packaging company serving customers in produce and industrial markets through its strategy of customer intimacy and service, with emphasis on sustainability and innovation in all aspects of our activities. NNZ has been reshaping itself, its products and services since 1922, and has only just begun!
Since 1922 NNZ has been reshaping packaging. Not only by creating innovative solutions for our customers, but also by reshaping the NNZ organization continuously. We created a film called ‘100 years of NNZ’ in which we display exactly how we have been reshaping and innovating packaging in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Sustainability
Worldwide strategic locations
Pioneering
Reliable and ethical
Long-term partnerships
Teamwork
#Rethink innovation
Full service logistics
Independent advice
Innovation insights
Customer intimacy
Broad portfolio
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