September 9, 2016 · Team HG
As of September 1, 2016, Slijterij Fa. Dikkers and Lijfering Drankengroothandel have entered into a unique partnership. In doing so, both companies combine more than 300 years of joint experience. Dikkers' wholesale activities are being integrated into those of Lijfering Drankengroothandel. Additionally, both companies are continuing together with Wijnhandel Dikkers.
In the appendix, you can read about their family histories, which show that these companies share many similarities. Through the combination of their strengths, they expect to grow into a distinctive wholesaler of beverages and other products.
This collaboration ensures greater efficiency and further optimization of the specialisms of Lijfering Drankengroothandel and Slijterij Fa. Dikkers. This allows the fine-meshed distribution network in the north of the Netherlands to be optimized. Moreover, the pooling of resources results in an even higher level of service and an even broader range of beers, soft drinks, and spirits. Additionally, there will be a significant deepening of the wine selection. “We see opportunities that we cannot realize, or can only realize with difficulty, individually. In this collaboration, the outcome of 1 + 1 must become more than 2,” explains Eric Wiegel, the current owner of Slijterij Fa. Dikkers.
Both companies have a very extensive customer base: from liquor stores, wine merchants, and cheese shops to various wholesalers, companies specializing in Christmas and corporate gifts, and hospitality businesses. These include both snack bars and Michelin-starred establishments. Furthermore, they have their own wine merchants and liquor stores. Private individuals can also shop at the online store. Each customer has their own approach and priorities. Through this special collaboration, the aim is to better meet customers' needs. In the coming period, you will naturally be visited as a business partner and informed of what this collaboration means and can mean for you. However, for the time being, you can continue to place your orders, ask questions, and handle administrative matters in the current manner until further notice.
With this collaboration, both companies are making a significant contribution; knowledge, expertise, and product range are being shared. “We believe that major gains can be made in the current volatile market. We are investing in automation, attempting to capitalize on ‘joint opportunities’ in social media, and aiming to enhance the experience of our products. We also want to help you convey this experience to your customers and allow them to experience more,” says Rogier de Bruin of Lijfering Drankengroothandel. He will assume general management of the company. A special place will be reserved within the organization for wines, for which Eric Wiegel will assume overall leadership.
Both Slijterij Fa. Dikkers and Lijfering Drankengroothandel have very loyal employees who will all fulfill their roles. For them, there are naturally changes, but above all, opportunities. In the coming months, tasks and responsibilities will shift. Together, work is being done to ensure a smooth transition.
You can find more information about the organization, products, and services of Lijfering Drankengroothandel at lijferingdrankengroothandel.nl and from Dikkers on dikkers.nl.
If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Rogier de Bruin, rogier.debruin@lijferingdranken.nl
The family business has existed for over 145 years, and we are quite proud of that. We probably don't need to explain to you that such a history has seen both highs and lows. Much joy and sorrow has been and is shared within our company. Call it sentimental or old-fashioned. We call it pride and beautiful traditions. We value the people we work for and with. We also value personal contact, which is why we would like to tell you a little more about ourselves.
In a small village in Groningen in 1869 lives a man who makes his own drinks. His name is Jacob Roelof Lijfering, and he distills his own brandy, berry gin, and lemon gin. He sells his liquor not only in his own liquor store but also visits local pubs with his 25-liter jugs. His drinks are so popular that his son, Hilko Reinder Lijfering, is able to take over the business. He expands the company into a liquor store and wholesale division. His son, Jacob Roelof, also takes over the business, and thus Grandpa's liquor store grows into a true family business with a reputation in the wider area. Lijfering Drankengroothandel moves from the village of Bedum to the city of Groningen. In 1984, they acquire a liquor store in Hoogezand, and in 2000, a liquor store in Assen. As a result, they hold the Grolsch agency since 1984. However, that same brewery decided to take back the agencies in 2004, and the Lijfering family decided to sell their company…
However, the sale of Lijfering Drankengroothandel to Grolsch subsidiary De Klok Dranken in 2004 did not mark the end of the Lijfering family's beverage trade. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Hilko Lijfering, by then the fifth generation, left De Klok Dranken in 2007 to take over a beverage wholesaler in Assen in 2009. His wholesale business grew so rapidly that they moved back into their old premises in Groningen in no time. While the company was growing, Hilko fell ill and passed away at a far too young age. Anyone who thinks this marks the end of the Lijfering family's beverage trade is mistaken. Together with the staff, the family rolled up their sleeves and completed the path Hilko had already started: the path of growth, the path of a human touch, personal contact, and service.
The Dikkers firm has been established at its current location in Hoogeveen since 1912, making it well over 100 years. The liqueur distillery was known much earlier than 1912. The distillery was already mentioned in 1856. On March 21 of that year, the Stibbe brothers, the owners, were awarded a medal for their liqueurs at the World Exhibition in Paris. From that time on, they were also permitted to display the Royal Coat of Arms. The Stibbes lived in Kampen. Salomon David Stibbe was already recorded as a liquor merchant in Kampen in 1822. In 1904, Albert Dikkers took over the business from the Stibbes. In 1912, he had the present building constructed in Hoogeveen on Stationsstraat – now Brinkstraat. The listed building was designed by municipal architect Carmiggelt in the Art Nouveau style. Two tile panels adorn the structure. The company was named "Royal Liqueur Factory and Distillery Firm A. Dikkers" and Advocaat Factory "The Drenthe Egg".
Antoon and Antje Frederiks' son, Geert, went to work for Albert Dikkers. He worked alongside their daughter Hilda, and they soon decided to marry. The marriage was short-lived, however, as Hilda died suddenly on July 12, 1948. Geert Frederiks (the grandfather of the current owner) bought the business from the Dikkers. On March 16, 1951, Geert remarried Marietje Hansma. Three children were born from this marriage: Toon, Marianne, and Jacqueline, both the mothers of Eric Wiegel and married to Hans Wiegel. Grandpa Geert Frederiks became seriously ill shortly thereafter, and Eric's grandmother and her children continued the business. Uncle Toon Frederiks was in charge of daily operations until 1996, when he passed away at a young age. After this, Marianne and her son Eric continued the business together. Eric has been running it since 2005.
Dikkers has since grown into a versatile company with the following main branches: the Liquor Store & Wine Merchant, Wholesale, the Webshop, the Rental Service, and the Gift Service. Dikkers also organizes activities such as wine tastings and courses. In view of the growth Dikkers has experienced in recent years, an additional branch has been established for the Wholesale division. The import of its own wines, in particular, has taken off significantly. The company distinguishes itself through its personal approach, expertise, service orientation, and originality. Eric is surrounded by a close-knit team of employees who have been working at Dikkers for years.
