Second-hand as a first choice

What once started as a small cheese factory with a few old machines has grown into an international specialist in used dairy equipment. At Lekkerkerker Dairy & Food Equipment, circular thinking has been at the heart of the business for decades, long before it became a trend. From Lopik, this family-owned company supplies refurbished installations to customers around the world – from milk processing machines to complete packaging lines.

Niels Lekkerkerker (44) has led the company as CEO since 2016. He literally grew up in the business and now steers an organisation that is both people-oriented and international. Still, that typically Dutch down-to-earth approach remains central. Niels: “You don’t have to be the biggest, as long as you are the best at what you do.”

From farm to business

The story of Lekkerkerker begins in the 1970s, on a farm in Benschop where Kees Lekkerkerker, Niels’ father, produced cheese and yogurt. To scale up, he started buying used machines and refurbishing them for his own production. When demand for these machines grew, a new business emerged – the sale of refurbished dairy equipment. What started as a side activity gradually developed into a company with international reach.

Niels witnessed it all from up close. “Our house was literally attached to the factory, so I was always around. As a kid, I helped pack boxes or walked through the production hall with my father. During the holidays or after school, you’d often be asked to lend a hand. If friends came over, they’d help too. No one minded – in fact, we really enjoyed it.”

Making mistakes is part of growing

After completing his degree in Business Economics, Niels officially joined the company in 2003. He started in online sales, then moved into sales and management. Since 2016, he has been the company’s CEO. His management style? Empowering people and sharing responsibility. “I believe in steering from the bigger picture. You don’t need to control everything. The more responsibility you give to your team, the better. People need to make their own decisions. That’s how you learn the most.”

Niels describes his leadership approach as supportive and democratic. “Of course, I have a clear vision. But I want people to take ownership of their work. At our company, making mistakes is okay – it’s how you grow and improve.”

Good for the customer, better for the planet

While many companies have only recently embraced sustainability, it has always been an integral part of the approach at Lekkerkerker. “We literally give machines a second life. We dismantle them down to the last screw, adapt them to the latest regulations, and rebuild them entirely. As a result, they meet today’s standards and can often run for another twenty years. Compared to a completely new machine, that saves significantly on CO2 emissions and raw materials.”

According to Niels, the company was ahead of its time. “My father started doing this because he saw potential in used machines. Back then, sustainability wasn’t a topic yet. Now, it turns out to be a major asset. Refurbished is no longer a second-best option. It is a conscious, smart and forward-looking choice.”

But sustainability goes beyond reuse. “We’ve made our office building energy-efficient and plan to install solar panels on our new machine storage facility. Part of our vehicle fleet is electric to further reduce our CO2 footprint, and where possible, we choose renewable energy sources. At the same time, you need to stay commercially minded. In the end, it still has to be feasible – both for us and for the customer.”

New generation, trusted culture

Lekkerkerker supplies customers in more than 80 countries, yet the company still feels like a close-knit team. “The atmosphere is open and communication lines are short. We have colleagues who have been with us for more than 25 years. But newcomers are just as welcome, as long as they’re eager to contribute.” That team spirit also reflects in the results. “We have a low absenteeism rate and high employee satisfaction. Honestly, I’m quite proud of that.”

According to Niels, the company culture is people-focused, with room for growth and initiative. “Everyone should feel heard. And that starts with listening and acting on what people bring to the table. We work hard, but we also help each other when needed. Like a good sports team.”

To attract new generations, Niels believes you have to keep evolving. “The younger generation wants to know what growth opportunities they’ll have. In the past, you often advanced naturally, without a clear plan. Today, as an employer, you need to provide that clarity upfront. At Lekkerkerker, we invest heavily in development and strive to offer our employees a real sense of perspective.”

"We want to be Europe's showroom"

Niels has a clear ambition for the future. “In ten years, we want to be the go-to showroom in Europe for used dairy machinery. A place where customers say: if you're looking for equipment, Lekkerkerker is the one to call.”

That vision also requires greater visibility. “We still hear too often: ‘I didn’t know you were this big.’ That’s something we need to keep working on.” That’s why the company is investing in better presentation, stronger online presence and a new warehouse for machinery storage.

With more than 2,000 machines in stock and customers in over 80 countries, Lekkerkerker has become a well-established name. In the years ahead, the focus will remain on quality, visibility and customer-centricity. “We want to stay ahead in refurbishment, technology and service. And our people are the key to that. We do this together. That’s where our real strength lies.”

What began with a few old machines on a farm in Benschop has grown into an international player. Yet the down-to-earth mindset from the early days – spotting opportunities, taking action and improving – still defines Lekkerkerker. And Niels wants to keep it that way. “I don’t need to be the biggest. But if you keep doing what you believe in, you’ll naturally become the best. And that’s exactly my goal.”

Lekkerkerker Dairy & Food Equipment proves that second-hand is not second-best. With craftsmanship, vision and a strong team, they work every day to deliver sustainable solutions for the dairy industry – in the Netherlands and far beyond.

Interested in working with us?

Do you face challenges in your dairy production, or would you like to discuss how we can support your business with the purchase, sale, refurbishment or dismantling of machines? Get in touch with us. We are happy to explore the possibilities together.