The Netherlands is the main constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a densely populated country located in Western Europe with three island territories in the Caribbean. The European part of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest, sharing maritime borders with Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Germany. [1] The three largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The port of Rotterdam is the world's largest port outside East-Asia, and by far the largest port in Europe. [2]
The Netherlands has a market-based mixed economy, ranking 17th of 177 countries according to the Index of Economic Freedom. [3] It had the thirteenth-highest per capita income in the world in 2013 according to the International Monetary Fund.
For further information on the types of business entities in this country and their abbreviations, see "Business entities in Netherlands".
This list shows firms in the Fortune Global 500, which ranks firms by total revenues reported before March 31, 2017. [4] Only the top five firms (if available) are included as a sample.
Rank | Image | Name | 2016 Revenues (USD $M) | Employees | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | Shell plc | $240,033 | 89,000 | Multinational oil and gas "supermajor." Regional divisions include Shell Oil Company (US), Shell Australia, Shell Canada, Shell Nigeria, and Shell Pakistan. Functional subsidiaries include Shell Chemicals and Shell Gas & Power. | |
20 | Exor | $154,894 | 302,562 | Investment holding company based in Amsterdam, but controlled by the Agnelli family of Italy. Held investments include significant stakes in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (UK), CNH Industrial (UK), and Ferrari (Italy). | |
94 | Airbus | $73,628 | 133,782 | Multinational corporation that manufacturers and designs aerospace products, including civil and military divisions. Note: registered headquarters is in Netherlands, "head office" is in France. | |
147 | Aegon N.V. | $58,789 | 29,380 | Hague-based multinational life insurance, pensions and asset management company. Subsidiaries include Transamerica Corporation (US), Aegon UK, and Aegon Life Insurance Company. | |
163 | ING Group | $55,282 | 51,943 | The Internationale Nederlanden Groep is an Amsterdam-based multinational financial services firm which provides retail banking, direct banking, commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, and insurance to more than 48 million customers worldwide. |
This list includes notable companies with primary headquarters located in the country. The industry and sector follow the Industry Classification Benchmark taxonomy. Organizations which have ceased operations are included and noted as defunct.
Name | Industry | Sector | Headquarters | Founded | Notes | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aalberts | Industrials | Electrical components & equipment | Utrecht | 1981 | Installations, climate controls | P | A |
Abellio | Transport | Bus, ferry and train services | Utrecht | 2001 | P | A | |
ABN AMRO | Financials | Banks | Amsterdam | 1991 | Bank | P | A |
Adyen | Financials | Payments industry | Amsterdam | 2006 | Payment processor | P | A |
Accell Group | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Heerenveen | 1998 | Bicycles | P | A |
Aegon N.V. | Financials | Life insurance | The Hague | 1983 | Life insurance | P | A |
Ahold Delhaize | Consumer services | Food retailers & wholesalers | Zaandam | 2016 | Food retailer | P | A |
AkzoNobel | Basic materials | Specialty chemicals | Amsterdam | 1994 | Chemicals, paints, coatings | P | A |
Amstel Brewery | Consumer goods | Brewers | Zoeterwoude | 1870 | Brewery, part of Heineken International | P | A |
APM Terminals | Industrials | Transportation services | The Hague | 2001 | Part of Maersk (Denmark) | P | A |
Apollo Vredestein B.V. | Consumer goods | Automobiles parts | Amsterdam | 1909 | Tires | P | A |
Arcadis | Industrials | Engineering | Amsterdam | 1888 | Engineering consultancy | P | A |
ASML Holding | Industrials | Industrial machinery | Veldhoven | 1984 | Photolithography equipment | P | A |
ASN Bank | Financials | Banks | The Hague | 1960 | Bank | P | A |
Atradius | Financials | Non-life insurance | Amsterdam | 1925 | Trade credit insurances | P | A |
Australian Homemade | Consumer services | Restaurants & bars | Veenendaal | 1979 | Confectionery retailer | P | A |
AVEBE | Consumer goods | Food products | Veendam | 1919 | Starch | P | A |
Beter Bed | Consumer services | Specialty retailers | Uden | 1981 | Furniture | P | A |
Blendle | Technology | Internet | Utrecht | 2013 | Online news platform | P | A |
Booking.com | Consumer services | Travel & tourism | Amsterdam | 1996 | Travel website | P | A |
Boskalis | Maritime services | Offshore construction | Papendrecht | 1910 | Dredging, offshore transport and installation | P | A |
Catawiki | Technology | Internet | Amsterdam | 2008 | Online auction | P | A |
Chipshol | Real Estate | Real Estate Investment and Services | Amsterdam | 1986 | Development company | P | A |
CNH Global | Industrials | Commercial vehicles & trucks | Amsterdam | 1999 | Defunct 2013 | P | D |
Corendon Dutch Airlines | Consumer services | Airlines | Lijnden | 2010 | Airline | P | A |
DAF Trucks | Consumer goods | Automobiles | Eindhoven | 1993 | Part of Paccar (US) | P | A |
Damen Group | Industrials | Industrial transportation & Defense | Gorinchem | 1927 | Shipbuilder | P | A |
Dockwise | Industrials | Marine transportation | Breda | 1993 | Shipping | P | D |
Donkervoort | Consumer goods | Automobiles | Lelystad | 1978 | Sports cars | P | A |
Douwe Egberts | Consumer goods | Soft drinks | Utrecht | 1753 | Coffee, tea | P | A |
DSM | Health care | Pharmaceuticals | Heerlen | 1902 | Nutrition | P | A |
eBuddy | Technology | Internet | Amsterdam | 2003 | Messaging | P | A |
Elsevier | Consumer services | Publishing | Amsterdam | 1880 | Publisher | P | A |
Endemol | Consumer services | Broadcasting & entertainment | Amsterdam | 1994 | Television | P | A |
Exact Software | Technology | Software | Delft | 1984 | Financial software | P | A |
Exor | Financials | Investment services | Amsterdam | 1927 | Investment firm | P | A |
Feadship | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Haarlem | 1949 | Luxury yacht manufacturer | P | A |
FRABA | Industrials | Industrial Automation | Heerlen | 1918 | Sensors for Motion Control | P | A |
FrieslandCampina | Consumer goods | Food products | Amersfoort | 2008 | Dairy | P | A |
Fugro | Oil & gas | Exploration & production | Leidschendam | 1962 | Surveyors | P | A |
General Logistics Systems | Industrials | Delivery services | Amsterdam | 1999 | Logistics | P | A |
Grolsch Brewery | Consumer goods | Brewers | Enschede | 1615 | Brewery | P | A |
Guerrilla Games | Technology | Software | Amsterdam | 2000 | Part of Sony Interactive Entertainment (US) | P | A |
G-Star Raw | Consumer goods | Apparel retailers | Amsterdam | 1989 | Clothing | P | A |
Heerema Marine Contractors | Oil & gas | Oil equipment & services | Leiden | 1948 | Support services | P | A |
Heineken International | Consumer goods | Brewers | Amsterdam | 1864 | Brewery | P | A |
HEMA | Consumer goods | Variety | Amsterdam | 1926 | Variety and housewares | P | A |
High-Logic | Technology | Software | De Bilt | 1997 | Font software | P | A |
Hotels.nl | Consumer services | Travel & tourism | Groningen | 2001 | Travel website | P | A |
Hunkemöller | Consumer services | Apparel retailers | Hilversum | 1886 | Lingerie and nightwear | P | A |
Hunter Douglas | Industrials | Building | Rotterdam | 1919 | Window blindings | P | A |
IKEA | Consumer services | Home improvement retailers | Leiden | 1942 | Home goods | P | A |
ING Group | Financials | Banks | Amsterdam | 1991 | Financial services | P | A |
Interxion | Technology | Datacentres | Schiphol-Rijk | 1998 | P | A | |
IPTP Networks | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Amsterdam | 1996 | Telecom, ISP | P | A |
Jumbo | Consumer goods | Food retailers & wholesalers | Veghel | 1921 | Food retailer | P | A |
Just Eat Takeaway | Technology | Consumer digital services | Amsterdam | 2000 | Online food ordering | P | A |
KLM | Consumer services | Airlines | Amstelveen | 1919 | Part of Air France-KLM (France) | P | A |
KPMG | Industrials | Business support services | Amstelveen | 1987 | Auditors | P | A |
KPN | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | The Hague | 1852 | Telecom | P | A |
Kyboe | Consumer goods | Fashion watches | The Hague | 2007 | Wristwatches | P | A |
LeasePlan | Consumer services | Rental and leasing services | Amsterdam | 1963 | Car lease | P | A |
Liander | Utilities | Conventional electricity | Arnhem | 2008 | Electrical distributor | P | A |
Lucas Bols | Consumer goods | Distillers & vintners | Amsterdam | 1575 | Alcoholic beverages | P | A |
Martinair | Consumer services | Airlines | Schiphol-Oost | 1958 | Airline | P | A |
Nederlandse Spoorwegen | Industrials | Railroads | Utrecht | 1938 | State railways | S | A |
Nipparts | Consumer goods | Auto parts | Amsterdam | 1981 | Supplier of parts for Japanese and Korean cars | P | A |
Nutricia | Consumer goods | Food products | Amsterdam | 1896 | Part of Danone (France) | P | A |
Nuon Energy | Utilities | Multiutilities | Amsterdam | 1995 | Electricity, gas, heat. Part of Vattenfall | P | A |
NXP Semiconductors | Technology | Semiconductors | Eindhoven | 2006 | Semiconductors and electronics | P | A |
Océ | Technology | Electronic office equipment | Venlo | 1877 | Copiers, printers | P | A |
Perfetti Van Melle | Consumer goods | Food products | Lainate/Breda | 2001 | Confectionary | P | A |
Philips | Consumer goods | Consumer electronics | Eindhoven | 1891 | Electronics | P | A |
PostNL | Industrials | Delivery services | The Hague | 1998 | Postal services | P | A |
Prosus | Technology | Consumer digital services | Amsterdam | 2019 | Part of Naspers (South Africa) | P | A |
Q-Park | Consumer services | Parking | Maastricht | 1998 | Parking garages | P | A |
Rabobank | Financials | Banks | Utrecht | 1972 | Financial services | P | A |
Randstad Holding | Industrials | Business support services | Diemen | 1960 | HR consulting | P | A |
Royal BAM Group | Industrials | Heavy construction | Bunnik | 1869 | Construction | P | A |
Royal Imtech N.V. | Industrials | Electrical components & equipment | Gouda | 1860 | Manufacturing, defunct 2015 | P | D |
Royal Schiphol Group | Industrials | Transportation services | Schiphol | 1916 | Operator of airports and airport terminals | P | A |
Royal Van Oord | Industrials | Heavy construction | Rotterdam | 1868 | Marine engineering and construction | P | A |
SBM Offshore | Oil & gas | Oil equipment & services | Schiedam | 1965 | Oil systems and services | P | A |
Serpent Model Racing Cars | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Heemstede | 1980 | Radio-controlled cars | P | A |
SenseGlove | Technology | Computer hardware | Delft | 2017 | Haptic gloves for VR | P | A |
SHV Holdings | Industrials | Diversified industrials | Utrecht | 1896 | Trading | P | A |
SPAR | Consumer goods | Food retailers & wholesalers | Amsterdam | 1932 | Food retailer | P | A |
Spyker Cars | Consumer goods | Automobiles | Zeewolde | 1999 | Automotive | P | A |
Stork B.V. | Industrials | Aerospace | Naarden | 1868 | Aerospace support | P | A |
Swinkels Family Brewers | Consumer goods | Brewers | Lieshout | 1680 | Brewery | P | A |
Talpa Network | Consumer services | Broadcasting & entertainment | Hilversum | 2004 | Television, social media, multimedia | P | A |
Tele2 Netherlands | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Amsterdam | 1993 | Telecom | P | A |
Telfort | Telecommunications | Mobile telecommunications | Alphen aan den Rijn | 1997 | Mobile, part of KPN | P | A |
Thales Nederland | Industrials | Defence & Electronics | Hengelo | 1922 | Part of Thales Group (France) | P | A |
TMF Group | Industrials | Financial administration | Amsterdam | 1988 | Accounting | P | A |
TNT Express | Industrials | Delivery services | Hoofddorp | 2011 | Part of PostNL | P | A |
TomTom | Technology | Software | Amsterdam | 1991 | Navigation software | P | A |
Tony's Chocolonely | Consumer goods | Food products | Amsterdam | 2005 | Confectionery | P | A |
Transavia | Consumer services | Airlines | Schiphol-Oost | 1965 | Airline | P | A |
Triodos Bank | Financials | Banks | Zeist | 1980 | Bank | P | A |
Trust | Technology | Computer hardware | Dordrecht | 1981 | Computer peripherals | P | A |
TUI fly Netherlands | Consumer services | Airlines | Schiphol-Rijk | 2005 | Airline | P | A |
Vanguard Dutch Marine | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Heerenveen | 2008 | Luxury yacht manufacturer | P | A |
VDL Bus & Coach | Industrials | Commercial vehicles & trucks | Valkenswaard | 1993 | Bus manufacturing, part of VDL Groep | P | A |
VDL NedCar | Consumer goods | Automobile | Born | 1967 | Part of VDL Groep | P | A |
Vedior | Industrials | Business training & employment agencies | Amsterdam | 1998 | Staffing | P | A |
VEON | Telecommunications | Mobile telecommunications | Amsterdam | 2009 | P | A | |
Verenigde Nederlandse Uitgeverijen | Consumer services | Publishing | Haarlem | 1964 | Publisher | P | A |
Vitol | Energy | Oil, gas & coal | Rotterdam | 1966 | Commodity trading | P | A |
Vodafone Netherlands | Telecommunications | Mobile telecommunications | Maastricht | 1995 | Joint venture between Liberty Global (US) and Vodafone (UK) | P | A |
VolkerWessels | Industrials | Heavy construction | Amersfoort | 1854 | Construction | P | A |
Wavin | Industrials | Building materials & fixtures | Zwolle | 1955 | Pipes | P | A |
WE | Consumer goods | Apparel retailers | Utrecht | 1917 | Clothing | P | A |
Wercker | Technology | Software | Amsterdam | 2011 | Application frameworks | P | A |
Widemex | Consumer goods | Housewares | Helmond | 1954 | Ironing boards and covers | P | A |
Wolters Kluwer | Industrials | Business support services | Alphen aan den Rijn | 1836 | Publisher and information services | P | A |
Zeeman | Consumer goods | Apparel retailers | Alphen aan den Rijn | 1967 | Clothing | P | A |
The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands consists of twelve provinces; it borders Germany to the east and Belgium to the south, with a North Sea coastline to the north and west. It shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium. The official language is Dutch, with West Frisian as a secondary official language in the province of Friesland. Dutch, English, and Papiamento are official in the Caribbean territories.
The Netherlands is both a very densely populated and a highly developed country in which transport is a key factor of the economy. Correspondingly it has a very dense and modern infrastructure, facilitating transport with road, rail, air and water networks. In its Global Competitiveness Report for 2014-2015, the World Economic Forum ranked the Dutch transport infrastructure fourth in the world.
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands after the national capital of Amsterdam. It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the "New Meuse" inland shipping channel, dug to connect to the Meuse at first and now to the Rhine.
The economy of the Netherlands is a highly developed market economy focused on trade and logistics, manufacturing, services, innovation and technology and sustainable and renewable energy. It is the world's 18th largest economy by nominal GDP and the 28th largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) and is the fifth largest economy in European Union by nominal GDP. It has the world's 11th highest per capita GDP (nominal) and the 13th highest per capita GDP (PPP) as of 2023 making it one of the highest earning nations in the world. Many of the world's largest tech companies are based in its capital Amsterdam or have established their European headquarters in the city, such as IBM, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Cisco, Uber, Netflix and Tesla. Its second largest city Rotterdam is a major trade, logistics and economic center of the world and is Europe's largest seaport. Netherlands is ranked fifth on global innovation index and fourth on the Global Competitiveness Report. Among OECD nations, Netherlands has a highly efficient and strong social security system; social expenditure stood at roughly 25.3% of GDP.
The HSL-Zuid, is a 125 kilometre-long Dutch high-speed rail line running between the Amsterdam metropolitan area and the Belgian border, with a branch to Breda, North Brabant. Together with the Belgian HSL 4 it forms the Schiphol–Antwerp high-speed railway. Originally scheduled to be in service by 2007, the first public operations began on 7 September 2009, after a ceremony on 6 September.
The Fortune Global 500, also known as Global 500, is an annual ranking of the top 500 corporations worldwide as measured by revenue. The list is compiled and published annually by Fortune magazine.
The development of urban centres in the Low Countries shows the process by which the Low Countries, a region in Western Europe, evolved from a highly rural outpost of the Roman Empire into the largest urbanised area north of the Alps by the 15th century CE. As such, this article covers the development of Dutch and Flemish cities beginning at the end of the migration period till the end of the Dutch Golden Age.
Intertrust is an international trust and corporate management company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In November 2022, it was acquired by Corporation Service Company. The company is best known for its fiduciary services, which includes tax, trust, business management and outsourcing processes. It is the largest trust office in the Netherlands.
Houthoff is an independent full-service Dutch law firm that focuses on full-service legal services. In addition to lawyers, the firm also employs notaries and tax specialists. With leading practices in Corporate/M&A, Litigation & Arbitration, Real Estate, and Restructuring & Insolvency, the firm provides strategic legal solutions for national and international listed and unlisted companies, financial institutions, private equity investors, and governments. Houthoff has offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, London, and New York, and is represented in Tokyo. Houthoff is recognized by leading legal guides and provides global support and service to its clients through exclusive memberships in Lex Mundi and TechLaw and by collaborating with the best law firms in the world. The headquarters of Houthoff is located on the Amsterdam Zuidas.
PostNL N.V., commonly known as PostNL is a Dutch mail, parcel and e-commerce company with operations in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. It provides universal delivery in the Netherlands, and is publicly listed at Euronext Amsterdam. The company was known as TNT NV until TNT Express was separated from it in May 2011, and the remainder of the company was renamed PostNL.
Robertus H. L. M. Thielen is a Dutch businessman and investor, working primarily in Europe. He is the chairman and founder of Waterland Private Equity, a co-founding partner of the Russia-based private equity group Elbrus Capital, and the chairman of the Gryphion family office.
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