Histoire

1921. Cornelis Pieter van Battum of The Hague established in
the Public Limited Company Vormenfabriek in Delft.

To save a yearly 450 Euro’s on electricity and gas 
Mr. Van Battum relocated his factory in 1927 to Tilburg

The objectives for which the company was incorporated were:

" To carry on the business of making, processing and trading in moulds for chocolate and fat companies. The company may carry out any business related in the broadest way to its objects, including the commission trade in machinery for bakeries",

1927. The first production location in Tilburg was in the
 White Building next to the Hoevense Kanaaldijk Oost.

First van Battum decided to start producing dies for third parties.  Second he expanded the product range . In 1928 the company began making cable clips, petroleum cans, litre measures, collecting boxes, sole fittings and buttons for the Royal Army and Royal Navy"

1937. In October  bv vormenfabriek tilburg moved the factory to the
St.Ceciliastraat.

"Vormenfabriek moved to the factory of the firm of H.J de Pont Mannaerts on St.Ceciliastraat in Tilburg. It was an old shoe factory where the well-know brand Bulldog was made.Van Battum leased the back part of the old factory and an office next to the entrance"

1950. Mr. van Battum employed the 26 years old 
economist Cornelis Johannes Nooteboom from Tilburg.

"At the moment C.J Nooteboom joined the company, the future was not very bright for Vormenfabriek. The company landed in red. Director van Battum, who was primarily involved in selling the company's products, had no insight into administration and production.

The new management secretary's first move was to reorganize the administration.
He chanced on three-year-old orders that had never been carried out.
Together with the new works manager J.Legdeur, Nooteboom created order from chaos."

1952. bv vormenfabriek tilburg became a specialist in the production
of metal chocolate moulds.

"In the '50's Mr. C.J Nooteboom travelled to the USA and Canada in order to explore the market there.He did not shy from primitive circumstances. He did business in the Middle East, seated on a simple orange crate.On his travels he built up a network of agents in the four corners of the world. Vormenfabriek was now exporting not only to most European countries but also to countries such as Iraq, Iran, the USA, Mexico, South Africa, Lebanon, Brazil and Venezuela"

1963. The start of the new office and production building at the
St.Ceciliastraat.

"For Vormenfabriek the 1960s were a period of strong growth. The company grew, and became absolute market leader. In 1964 in the new factory complex 198 employees were engaged in the production of metal moulds. Of these moulds, 80 % were exported. Vormenfabriek succeeded in gaining more and more foreign customers."

1970. From metal to plastic moulds

"The development of plastic moulds did not entirely appear out of the blue for Vormenfabriek. Swiss chocolate manufacturers such as Tobler and Nestle had already been using plastic moulds.In 1970 Van Battum said that it was not the first time that moulds had been made of synthetic materials, for instance, bakelite and fibreglass, but that metal had never been supplanted as a raw material.

However, co-director C.J Nooteboom was able to convince Van Battum of the necessity of switching to plastic. It was during this transition period that founder C.P van Battum decided to sell the company to co director Mr.Nooteboom

In the spring of 1972 the transfer of shares took place that made C.J Nooteboom the new ower. At an age of 84 of which he spent 51years at Vormenfabriek, Van Battum started to enjoy his retirement."

1980's Investments

Vormenfabriek Tilburg began a long series of investments. In 1980's the company bought 5 of the present injection moulding machines. The 2400 tonner Battenfeld was too big to enter through the door, so the side wall of the factory had to be knocked down.

1985. Daily Management

C.J.Nooteboom's two sons also joined the company and Nooteboom thought the time was now ripe for transferring the daily management to his two sons. "During this period the scales tipped in favour of the production of plastic moulds.Only two chocolate producers, Droste and Cote d'Or, ordered metal moulds until the early 1990s."

1990. Royal decoration

C.J.Nooteboom receives a royal decoration on the occasion of his 40th.
year with bv vormenfabriek tilburg from mayor of Tilburg G.Ph.Brokx.

1996. Celebration of 75 years bv vormenfabriek tilburg.

1999. Management buy out by Rein Nooteboom to 
become the sole owner of bv vormenfabriek tilburg.

Again bv vormenfabriek was challenged by new investments and changes in the market. Faster delivery and more accurate proto typing was a reflection of a good economy and growth in the chocolate industry. New and faster milling machines were purchased and the modelling department changed from a hand sculptured design department into a full 3D computer design office.

A new Management Team was created and the number of agents reached 28 offices worldwide.

2010. Celebration  of Mr. Rein Nooteboom 25 years at bv vormenfabriek tilburg

"I do not experience 25 years working at vormenfabriek as an accomplishment but much more as an honor and privilege ".  - quote speech Mr. Rein Nooteboom-

2013.  bv vormenfabriek tilburg introducing  Vofalon

Vofalon is a impact-modified Polycarbonate, A food contact grade that complies with the regulations of the EU and its member states, and the FDA Regulations, with regard to plastic that are in contact with food. Chocolate moulds in Vofalon display a more favourable toughness than moulds made from the general purpose grades of polycarbonate.