Leo joined Nijdra on 1 March 1989, when it was still a small family business in Middenbeemster. After a good conversation with Johan Nije, both sides decided to take the leap. What followed was more than 31 years of commitment, craftsmanship and humanity. Until the very end, Leo saw himself not merely as an employee, but as part of the family business.

He was soon given the freedom to develop his ideas, particularly in the field of quality assurance. Starting as a planner and production coordinator, he progressed through the roles of Head of the Operations Office (1994) and Deputy Managing Director (1999), before going on to work as an application manager, office manager and Quality Assurance Manager. He often combined several roles, always keeping the organisation’s best interests in mind. He laid the foundations for Nijdra’s professionalisation: as early as 1990, he introduced procedures based on ISO 9002. Thanks to his dedication, Nijdra developed from a metalworking company without formal documentation into an organisation holding internationally recognised certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 13485. He guided the transitions to new ERP systems and remained involved in subsequent implementations.

During the same period, the company grew from 16 to more than 100 employees and from one location to three. Leo was a quiet and steadfast force behind that growth.

His colleagues valued his deep commitment, both within Nijdra Group and beyond. He was sociable, people-oriented and always ready to help. Even when opinions differed, a solution was found in the best interests of the organisation. That is characteristic of our family business. It was characteristic of Leo.

In 2020, he took early retirement. In his letter, he wrote: “As agreed, this marks the end of a period, but it is not a farewell.” He offered to remain available whenever needed. That attitude says everything about the man he was.

We remember Leo as a committed, knowledgeable and warm colleague who helped make Nijdra what it is today. His legacy lives on in our systems and certifications, but above all in the way we treat one another.

On behalf of the Nije family, the management and the employees of Nijdra Group, we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all those who were close to him.

Middenbeemster, September 2026