DM Wheel Systems began as a family business M.I.B. (Machine Industry Boxtel) in 1951 in the post-war rebuild in the aftermath of the war, when founder Kees van Schaaijk started overhauling broken machines for companies in the industrial area of Boxtel, in the Netherlands.

Kees quickly became renowned for his dedication to problem solving, using his ingenuity and what he had at hand and to create efficient, durable internal transport solutions. Within a few short years, he had designed, patented and started manufacturing a new kind of castor wheel with a centreless head, in response to an engineering problem at a local meat processing plant. This unique wheel had a larger surface to absorb the load capacity and provided the winning formula to further develop his business.

Kees’s problem solving focus and innovative ideas formed the backbone of the business at the outset, and is still the company’s modus operandi today.

In 1979, the company was taken over by Kees’s eldest son Enrico who expanded it further. “My father was a real craftsman and worked in the factory himself” says Enrico. “He left the commercial development to others. But, I turned that around”. Enrico visited International business conventions and trade fairs which proved to be fertile networking ground for mutually beneficial business relationships.“I wanted to ensure the  factory would always have a continuous supply of high quality parts to assemble and supply wheels on demand.” Enrico explains.

“I found that to create trust in an international business context, you had to find common ground in the areas of life that matter: family and continuity”. He spent the next 16 years forging and maintaining loyal business partnerships in Italy, Germany and Belgium under the motto, “together we are strong”. Competitors became partners, thanks to Enrico’s long term vision of creating win/win collaborations with other family businesses within the emerging European Economic Community. This approach helped to ensure the company’s stability during the European recession in the early 1980’s, as well as that of their business partners.

DM Wheel Systems has been in the hands of the family’s third generation since 2006, when Enrico was forced into early retirement due to health issues. His eldest son Frank started working in the factory to learn the manufacturing process hands-on and formed part of the sales team. “It wasn't a lot of fun in the beginning,” says Frank. “I had to mature faster than my peers and worked very hard to gain technical skills, which is not where my talent lies. But I thought, just because I'm not technical, doesn't mean I can't do business.”

M.I.B. aquired another Dutch wheel company, Danimo Transportwielen B.V, based in Zaandam. At the time, Danimo was the only company in the Netherlands which had both the expertise and the machines to independently develop new wheel products. Frank saw opportunities for innovation and growth in the Danimo takeover, and a rebranded M.I.B. to D&M Holland B.V.. The merger also brought legal issues, which stretched into the beginning of the global financial crisis in late 2008. This period saw business decline by 30%. “On top of that, there were staffing issues and a storm blew the roof off our factory. Needless to say, those first five years were a struggle.” Frank recalls. “But I learned a lot”. 

In 2015, Frank’s younger brother Christian, the family technical expert, came on board. “I’d always wanted to work with my hands, like my grandfather.” Christian says. “I completed my mechanical engineering diploma, consciously learning the craft of machining and welding. I also did several internships which gave me great insight into how new technologies were being implemented”. Christian now heads technical operations at DM Wheel Systems: “I’m working in my element here at DM.

In 2018, D&M Holland moved into their current premises, a brand new factory facility with space for growth. Armed with additional in-house manufacturing capability and the new commercial possibilities provided by the internet, the brothers van Schaaijk sought to broaden their international market share by rebranding towards where the business was headed: the design, manufacturing and supplying wheel systems for the European market.