It is 1965 when Fred van Eck, talking to a fellow passenger on a plane, comes up with a unique idea: “Developing a cargo strapping system from rayon yarn”, also used in the production of car tires. He thought this new product – Rayon strap – would be the ideal replacement for traditional steel strapping systems. An idea with great potential…
Van Eck quickly realized he had come up with a groundbreaking idea. Soon after, together with a partner, he founded our company in the city of Helmond, The Netherlands. He began manufacturing the first generation of cargo strapping systems. The idea caught on, and the market for Rayon straps grew along with our company’s production.
In 1968, we opened our first branch outside The Netherlands – a sales office in Germany. Many more followed over the years – we now support over 50 countries around the world – and our global network continues to grow. We currently have manufacturing and sales locations in various countries, including but not limited to: the Baltic States, the Benelux, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America (USA), and our head office in The Netherlands. We also have a worldwide network of carefully selected and trained partners.
In 1972, Van Eck started manufacturing polyester strapping systems, the foundation of our current Cordstrap solutions. By the early 1990’s, we were the world market leader in one-way polyester cargo strapping and cargo securing systems. Today we still are…
In 1994, Jan Andriessen came on board as CEO. With 40 Cordstrappers and manufacturing one product we were doing a great job, but Jan believed that we could do even better. Jan started working on his vision for Cordstrap to become the number 1 global leading expert in one-way cargo securing systems. Everything had to be done in-house: product research, development, manufacturing, sales, extending our product line and providing service to our customers. Something no other company in our industry was or is doing. It has been our success ever since! Jan has been an inspiring leader for everyone who worked with him and his immense energy “infected” everyone at Cordstrap. Jan was a real team player, to him the basis of success of our company has always been the people who love and are passionate about what they are doing. Under his leadership our company grew more than tenfold the size of what it was in 1994. Today our Cordstrap family exists of almost 400 Cordstrappers! Unfortunately, Jan passed away far too soon in March 2012.
Our Cordstrappers live and work all over the world. We feel we are all part of a big extended family, and it is not just the strap that holds us together. ..
We know and help each other and share our knowledge and experience. Working together is our biggest strength. During the last economic crisis, every Cordstrapper stepped up to the plate. “All for one and one for all” became our favorite quote. As a result, we expanded our business development despite the failing economy. Something we are very proud off.
Of course we love to sell our products; however we truly care about advising and supporting our customers on how to secure their cargo to avoid accidents and cargo damage. We see ourselves as problem solvers and enjoy the challenge of providing real world solutions for our customers. Our goal is to create awareness about the dangers and reality of what can really happen to people and/or cargo during every step of the shipping process.
In 2008, we opened our new global headquarters in The Netherlands. This new facility has a fully equipped training and test center. We can simulate and test any situation that can happen to cargo and people during transportation. This expands our ever-growing knowledge base. It keeps us Cordstrappers the most experienced strapping, lashing and cargo securing specialists in the world.
We have worked very hard to reach this leadership position and we will work even harder to maintain it, no matter what challenges may arise. “All for one and one for all”.