Last night a delegation of DutchSA – Australian Netherlands Chamber of Commerce visited Ziptrak® for a tour of their magnificent Tonsley facilities. We are grateful for this behind the scenes view of a very successful company with its founder Tony de Maaijer and managing director Marc D.
They provided plenty of history and stories highlighting how Ziptrak evolved from a brilliant idea through various business and operating model changes into the highly successful business it is today.
Focusing on strengths in design and manufacturing and working with partners around the world to scale fabrication, distribution and retail, Ziptrak is now present in 30 countries and over a million installations of Ziptrak outdoor blinds worldwide.
We found Ziptrak’s Dutch DNA in its willingness to be a creator, pioneer and disrupter but always careful with money. The philosophy being that you do not scale investment until you have sufficiently validated your key assumptions!
The second part of Dutch DNA is in having global ambition and developing export markets. Places where customers demand superior quality like Singapore and New Zealand have become key markets for Ziptrak.
We concluded the visit with drinks and nibbles at the Ziptrak outdoor entertainment area which easily rivals some if the best commercial hospitality venues.
Thanks to while Ziptrak team for hosting us and especially Anke Gerritsma for organising a great function. All attendees, we hope you enjoyed it and learned something new.
Our next catch up is next Thursday 6pm at the Elephant pub (next to Palace Nova cinema).
Cc: DCCA – Network of Dutch Chambers of Commerce in Australia Embassy and Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia