Operational within 20 months of the driving of the first pile, Heineken's new distilleries at Zoetermeer in the west of Holland, were officially opened on September 21, 1979, by H.R.H. Prince Bemhard of the Netherlands. First distillation at the new complex began when the Prince opened a valve to start the fire under a glass still. The new distilleries replace the company's former plants at Rotterdam and Schiedam. Work of planning and construction was co-ordinated by six working parties responsible respectively for the grain distillery and power-house, the distillery, bottling department, internal transport, works offices and services rooms and the group office. The first pile was officially driven by the Burgomaster of Zoetermeer on January 27, 1978. Within less than six months an apprentice carpenter hoisted the Dutch tricolour on the highest point of the steel structure that was to become the alcohol distillery and, at 23.33 metres, the highest point of the entire complex. The opening ceremony last September was held on the ground floor of the new premises. H.R.H. Prince Bernhard was greeted on arrival by a party of Zoetermeer officials together with Mr. AHHeineken Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors, and Jonkheer O.A.E.E.L. Wittert van Hoogland, Chairman of the Supervisory Council. New distillery officially opened at Zoetermeer Flashback to January 27, 1978: Mr. J.WWegstapel (left), then Burgomaster of Zoetermeer, drives the first pile. With him are Mr. R. van de Vijver (centre), member of the Board of Managing Directors, and Mr. J. van der Zee. Managing Director of Gedistilleerd en Wijn Groep Nederland. The bottling hall.

Jaarverslagen en Personeelsbladen Heineken

Heineken Contact | 1980 | | pagina 4