Entrepreneurial evening Voorne aan Zee 2025: GPW Turbine Support and Gewoon Goed VVE Beheer win prizes
Arie Prins and Willem de Gier of GPW Turbine Support were named Entrepreneur of the Year during the Voorne aan Zee Entrepreneurial Evening on November 27, 2025. They received this award for their perseverance, innovative approach and sustainable business practices. Alderman Aart Jan Spoon presented the award and expressed his appreciation for their contribution to the local economy and supporting young people. In addition, Tom and Ference Geurts of Gewoon Goed VVE Beheer won the award for Young Talent of the Year. The evening provided space for conversation, inspiration and celebration of entrepreneurship in Voorne aan Zee.
On November 27, 2025, the Voorne aan Zee Entrepreneurial Evening was held at the Brielse Boer in Zwartewaal. During this special evening, two entrepreneurial awards were presented: the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Young Talent of the Year. Alderman Economics and jury chairman Aart Jan Spoon announced the winners and expressed his appreciation for their contribution to the local economy.
The evening started with a conversation between Mayor Arno Scheepers, Nico and Yvonne Rodenburg of the Brielse Boer and host Gert van 't Hof about keeping all the balls in the air, the theme of the evening. Afterwards, Alderman Spoon presented the entrepreneurial awards and host Gert van 't Hof talked with the winners about their motivations and plans for the future.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was given to Arie Prins and Willem de Gier of GPW Turbine Support from Hellevoetsluis. They started their company in 2005 after a difficult period and built it into a leading player in the maintenance and overhaul of turbines. The jury praised their courage, the energy-neutral premises and their involvement with young people and local initiatives.
The Young Talent of the Year was won by Tom and Ference Geurts of Gewoon Goed VVE Beheer from Brielle. With a fresh, customer-oriented approach, they managed to quickly make a name for themselves in a complex market. The jury praised their vision, building a strong team and their professional, accessible approach.
Alderman Aart Jan Spoon: "Arie and Willem show that entrepreneurship requires perseverance and innovation. Tom and Ference bring renewal and energy to a sector that desperately needs it. Voorne aan Zee can be proud of these entrepreneurs who strengthen and inspire the local business community."
The other nominees for the awards were also present during the evening: Klaas and Niels Kamphuis of Corpuls Benelux (Hellevoetsluis) and André Snoep of AnCor Design (Oostvoorne) as nominees for Entrepreneur of the Year and Mitchell Tromp of Cuisine by Tromp (Oostvoorne) and Eric Rijkels of ComfyCoders (Brielle) as nominees for Young Talent of the Year. The jury compliments all nominees on their contribution to the entrepreneurial landscape of Voorne aan Zee. They show guts, innovation and commitment to the local community. This makes them valuable examples of entrepreneurship in our region.
During the evening, Stony and Levi van den Berg (vandenBerg Keukens) and Sonnie Barendrecht (Barendrecht-Elektra) also joined Gert van 't Hof in conversation. They told about taking over the family business and the challenges involved. Both companies have been around for a long time. Barendrecht-Elektra recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, and vandenBerg Keukens will celebrate 50 years in 2026. After the official program, there was room to exchange experiences while enjoying snacks and drinks.
