EASTERMAR – Bouwbedrijf Swart in Eastermar has received the title of Purveyor to the Royal Household on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. The King’s Commissioner, AAM Brok, presented the designation and the accompanying coat of arms to the management of the family business on Saturday.
Swart, a real family business now led by the fourth generation, was founded in 1899 by Peter Jacob Swart. The company specializes in new construction, renovation, restoration and project development and currently has 49 employees. In 2019, Swart was named Company of the Year in the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel.
The company trains young talent, offers workplaces to people at a distance from the labor market, is committed to sustainability and sponsors numerous activities and associations in the region.
To mark the anniversary and the presentation, the company held an open house on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, during which the new sustainable carpentry workshop and office space were also festively opened.
His Majesty the King grants the title Purveyor to the Royal Household to small and medium-sized enterprises that are of great value to the region, have a leading position in their industry, enjoy a good reputation and are financially healthy.
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Bouwbedrijf Swart: A Royal Celebration of 125 Years
Well, well, well! If it isn’t Bouwbedrijf Swart of Eastermar, collecting a shiny new title—or was that just their 125th birthday party? You’d think with a designation like “Purveyor to the Royal Household,” they’d come out dressed in top hats and monocles, right? I mean, who needs a crown when you’ve got a coat of arms? And let’s be honest, if you were a builder getting this honor, wouldn’t you have practical dreams of designing a throne? But enough of the royal fantasizing; let’s dig into what makes this family business so special.
A Legacy of Building
Founded back in 1899—before electric light was even a thing!—by none other than Peter Jacob Swart, the family firm is now in its fourth generation. That’s right, folks—over a century of hammers, nails, and the occasional argument about putting the toilet paper roll on the right way. So, what do they specialize in? Everything from dazzling new constructions to lovingly restoring your Grandma’s Victorian nightmare. They even engage in project development—basically offering to transform your garden shed into a palace, or at least an attractive storage solution.
The Swarts have BIG ambitions. With 49 employees, you’d think they were trying to build a small town. And in 2019, the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel crowned them ‘Company of the Year’. Rightly so! But the trophy doesn’t seem to be enough; they’re now the proud recipients of an award that lets them claim “royal” status. I can see it now: “Listen up, fellow builders! Grab your hard hats, but remember, we’re royalty now!”
Building Futures
Now, you might be wondering what’s so royal about this business other than its fancy new title. Well, apart from the whole “working with the crown” thing, they just happen to be training young talent and giving jobs to those a bit “distant from the labor market.” Which sounds quite nice, but let’s be honest—it’s not easy finding a job that doesn’t involve more than just standing around and holding a sign, now is it?
But judging by their commitment to sustainability and charitable sponsorships (because what’s a royal without a charitable cause, right?), Swart is clearly putting in the elbow grease. They’re actively supporting the community while ensuring they don’t turn the entire region into a construction zone, which is commendable. Nothing screams “job opportunity” quite like a freshly built, sustainably sourced furniture workshop.
Open House with a Twist
To round off the celebrations, the company held an open house. Now, this isn’t just your average open house where you awkwardly sip punch and make small talk about the weather. No, they had a ‘festive’ opening for their shiny new sustainable carpentry workshop and office space. Who knew woodworking could be so glamorous? It’s likely they had more guests than a royal wedding: just remember, don’t forget to RSVP to the next “royal” party; you might end up with a free spoon! Perhaps they could give away tiny royal scepters—they’d make perfect door prizes.
The Royal Seal of Approval
So, what does the title “Purveyor to the Royal Household” really mean? It signifies that these local folks are not just a staple in their market but that they’ve officially reached a level of trustworthiness fit for the royal family. His Majesty the King grants this title to businesses that are practically the Harry Potters of their fields—magically valuable, well-regarded, and financially healthy. So the next time you think of royalty, don’t just picture crowns and carriages; consider the lads with their tool belts, working hard behind the scenes to keep both roofs and reputations intact.
EASTERMAR – Bouwbedrijf Swart, a prominent construction firm in Eastermar, proudly received the prestigious title of Purveyor to the Royal Household to commemorate its remarkable 125th anniversary. The esteemed King’s Commissioner, AAM Brok, personally presented this honor along with a beautifully crafted coat of arms to the company’s management during a special ceremony held on Saturday.
Founded in 1899 by Peter Jacob Swart, this family-run enterprise has evolved into a vibrant institution now passionately managed by the fourth generation of the Swart family. The company excels in various sectors, including new construction, renovation, restoration, and project development, and currently employs 49 dedicated professionals. Recognizing its exceptional contributions to the local economy, Swart was honored as the Company of the Year in the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel in 2019.
In addition to its business endeavors, the company is deeply invested in community development by training young talent and providing job opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment. Swart’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its practices, and the firm actively sponsors numerous local activities and associations, fostering a sense of community involvement and support.
To celebrate both the significant anniversary and the honor received, Bouwbedrijf Swart hosted an engaging open house event on Saturday, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Guests were invited to tour the newly established sustainable carpentry workshop and office space, both of which were joyfully inaugurated during the festivities.
His Majesty the King bestows the title Purveyor to the Royal Household upon select small and medium-sized enterprises that demonstrate exceptional value to their community, maintain a leading position within their industry, uphold an excellent reputation, and operate with financial stability.
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## Interview with Bouwbedrijf Swart’s Managing Director, Jan Swart
**Editor:** Congratulations on receiving the title of Purveyor to the Royal Household! Can you tell us what this honor means for Bouwbedrijf Swart and your family legacy?
**Jan Swart:** Thank you! It’s an incredible honor for us. Being named Purveyor to the Royal Household reflects not just our hard work over the past 125 years but also the commitment to quality and integrity embedded in our family values. It’s a recognition that motivates us to continue upholding these standards for future generations.
**Editor:** That’s wonderful to hear! Talk to us about the company’s journey from its founding in 1899 to what it is today.
**Jan Swart:** Our founder, Peter Jacob Swart, established the company with a vision to serve the local community through high-quality construction. Over the years, we’ve evolved, expanding our offerings to include renovations and sustainable projects, but our core mission remains the same. Being a family-run business for four generations has allowed us to maintain a personalized touch in all our projects.
**Editor:** Speaking of sustainability, you mentioned in your celebrations that you’re committed to training young talent and helping those distanced from the labor market. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jan Swart:** Absolutely! We believe in giving back to the community, and part of that is nurturing talent. Our apprenticeship programs provide hands-on training for young people looking to enter the construction industry. We also hire individuals who may be facing barriers to employment, giving them a chance to thrive in a supportive environment. It’s rewarding to see how they grow and contribute to projects.
**Editor:** You recently held a jubilant open house for your new sustainable carpentry workshop. How was that experience?
**Jan Swart:** It was fantastic! We wanted to celebrate not just our anniversary but also our commitment to sustainability. The open house turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the local community, showcase our new facilities, and share our vision for the future. We had a great turnout, and it was heartwarming to see so many people interested in what we’re doing.
**Editor:** With this royal title, how do you see the future of Bouwbedrijf Swart?
**Jan Swart:** We plan to continue our growth with a focus on innovative, sustainable practices in construction. The royal endorsement encourages us to uphold our reputation further and pushes us to ensure that our work benefits not only our clients but the entire community. We are excited about what lies ahead!
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your story with us, Jan. Congratulations once again on this remarkable achievement, and best of luck with all your future endeavors!
**Jan Swart:** Thank you! We appreciate the support, and we’re eager to see what the next chapter holds for us.
