At Van Leeuwen, Connected isn’t just a word we use but something we live every day. For me, this core value means being intentional about how we work together, across teams, countries, and cultures. It’s about activating our global network in a way that makes all of us stronger as individuals, as teams, and as a company.

What makes us unique is not just our extensive logistics and knowledge network, but how we use that network. We support one another, we learn from each other, and we grow together whether we're in the same office or halfway across the world.

In my role in supply chain, I see firsthand how vital our connections are. Getting the right material to the right place at the right time takes more than systems and schedules. It takes people who are aligned, who communicate, and who genuinely care about the outcome for each other and for our customers.

What I find inspiring is how we balance our diversity in culture, in experience, in ways of working with a shared sense of identity. Being connected isn’t just about being in touch it’s about being aligned. It’s about trust, collaboration, and the willingness to share what we know so that others can succeed too.

Ros Munkley
UK Supply Chain Process Manager
Van Leeuwen Ltd

When asked what core value matters most to me, the answer is clear: continuity. It’s the thread that runs through everything we do, connecting where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. I see that clearly when I look at our past, our present, and our ambitions for the future.

In the past, in my opinion our greatest strength was being connected, with our colleagues, our customers, and our shared purpose. That connection laid the foundation for everything we have built.
In the present, our focus is firmly on the customer. This isn’t just a goal; it shapes the way we work each day. It keeps us grounded, agile, and close to what truly matters.
Looking to the future, I see innovative entrepreneurship as our path to sustainable growth. By staying curious, embracing change, and daring to think ahead, we can keep moving forward.

Throughout every phase, continuity is what holds it all together. It reminds us to stay true to our identity while evolving with the world around us.

Continuity: My Compass Through Time

Sales Manager
Van Leeuwen Distribution Indonesia

For me, innovative entrepreneurship is synonymous with Van Leeuwen. The UK Pipeline Project pushed me far outside my comfort zone—working outdoors through a freezing lockdown winter, managing materials on site, and even assisting with vehicle banking. It was demanding, but incredibly rewarding.

Not long after, I joined the e-commerce project team. Though I had experience in web solutions, I had never built a site myself. This project allowed me to learn new tools, develop technical skills, and ensure the platform is both functional and accessible.

A few weeks ago, while working on the market segment pages, I incorporated some images from the Pipeline Project into the Pipeline page.
It was then that I realized how these images encapsulate not just two projects, but the essence of Innovative Entrepreneurship—tackling new challenges, acquiring new skills, thinking creatively, solving problems, demonstrating resilience, and exhibiting determination. To me, that’s what innovative entrepreneurship is all about: passion, progress, and paving the way for those who follow.

Joanna Brookes
Marketing Executive
Van Leeuwen Ltd

Last year, we celebrated Van Leeuwen’s 100th anniversary together with our colleagues and customers—a milestone that truly highlighted the strength and resilience of our group. If I had to sum up what Van Leeuwen represents to me in one word, it would be continuity.

I’m 45 years old now and have been with Normydro since 2002—nearly half my life. I started in sales, moved into logistics, and for the past two years, I’ve served as Operations Manager. Throughout this journey, I’ve grown and evolved within a company that has always reflected my own values.

What stands out most to me is the consistency in how we work, how we support one another, and how we move forward together. Van Leeuwen isn’t just a group I work for—it’s a place where I feel at home, professionally and personally.

Tony Landemaine
Manager Operations
Normydro

“I chose customer focus, because Van Leeuwen doesn’t see itself as just a steel pipe supplier. We act as a true partner to our customers, working together towards a common goal: helping them complete their jobs and projects as smoothly as possible. That’s what sets us apart from ordinary suppliers and helps us build long-lasting relationships based on trust and collaboration.”

Strong Foundations, Stronger Relationships

Account Manager
Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Australia

Although I’ve only been with the company for a year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of exploring what “being connected” truly means in many ways. The most profound experience came during my four-month assignment at the Italian OpCo.

From day one, I was welcomed with genuine warmth. In my first week, I joined a business lunch with an Indian supplier to discuss market dynamics and emerging opportunities. I quickly began forming real, cross-cultural relationships with both international partners and new peers.

A month later, I represented the company at the Made in Steel fair in Milan, working closely with colleagues from the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, and of course, Italy. I was included in key discussions with suppliers and customers, gaining valuable experience in trust, collaboration, and inclusion.

Equally memorable were the visits to the Bologna warehouse. Were there language barriers? Absolutely. Yet even when words failed, we connected through gestures, expressions, and shared laughter.
To me, this is what sets Van Leeuwen apart. Building relationships is not incidental, it’s deeply embedded in the culture. It shapes how we work, how we grow, and how we succeed, together.

At Van Leeuwen, being connected isn't just a value—it's second nature.

Amber van Tessel
Trainee
Royal Van Leeuwen

Ik wil graag Sofie Amaral in het zonnetje zetten voor haar uitstekende bijdrage aan Van Leeuwen.

Sofie is sinds 2019 de Senior Accountant voor Canada. Sinds ze bij Van Leeuwen is gestart, heeft zij vanuit haar functie niet alleen processen verbeterd, maar heeft ze ook nieuwe verantwoordelijkheden op zich genomen, waaronder salarisadministratie, HR-administratie en het ondersteunen van de allerhande activiteiten in de VS. Bovendien organiseert zij sociale evenementen bij Van Leeuwen Canada en zorgt zij dus ook voor plezier naast het werk. In haar vrije tijd vangt Sofie honden op totdat deze bij een nieuw baasje geplaatst kunnen worden. Sofie is een zeer gewaardeerd lid van ons team.

Steve Neal
Regional Controller
Van Leeuwen Canada

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