Holland’s oldest family firm is sold, after 468 years

The Netherlands’ oldest family firm, rope maker Touwfabriek G van der Lee, is giving up its independence after 468 years of operation, Nos television said on Friday.

The rope factory was established in 1545 by Jan Pietersz van der Lee and is still run by the family, producing rope for the fishing and shipping industry. It is based in Oudewater, near Utrecht.

The takeover means pottery factory Tichelaars Aardewerk- en Tegelfabriek in Makkum, Friesland, founded in 1640, is now the country’s oldest family firm.

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