heesen yachts niels vaessen

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ARTHUR BROUWER HANDS OVER THE BATON; NIELS VAESSEN IS THE NEW CEO HEESEN YACHTS AS OF NOVEMBER 1

Dutch shipbuilder Heesen Yachts from Oss, Noord-Brabant, announces the appointment of its new CEO effective November 1. The company has chosen to promote from within its own ranks and is delighted to announce that Niels Vaessen, who has served as a CFO of the shipyard for more than a decade, will be taking over the position of CEO.

Niels Vaessen joined Heesen in 2012 as Finance Manager after working at PwC for eight years. In 2013, the board appointed him as the CFO, a position he still holds today.

Arthur Brouwer has been at the helm of Heesen since 2014. Under his leadership, the shipyard strengthened its position as a leader in the superyacht industry and modernised its portfolio. Additionally, Brouwer successfully navigated the company through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

With a workforce of 1,000 people, Heesen builds full-custom superyachts and series on speculation from 50 to 80 metres in steel and aluminium. Heesen looks confidently into the future with a healthy order book of 15 yachts whose deliveries span through 2027. Brouwer leaves a healthy company with an annual turnover of approximately 200 million Euros.

At the same time, Supervisory Board Chairman Anjo Joldersma has also indicated that it is time for his retirement. From November 1, Adse de Kock will be the Supervisory Board Chairman.

Arthur Brouwer: “I had the privilege to work in many different and interesting industries. Yachting is an exciting business, and it seems to be the perfect sector for ending my active career. I am leaving a healthy company with a robust and well-organised structure in good hands. Heesen needs a CEO with good industry knowledge, a well-connected network, and a deep understanding of the shipbuilding process and the commercial dynamics. Niels and I worked closely together for many years and have overcome some challenges. I am proud of the results we have accomplished. I wish Niels, Rick van de Wetering, Mark Cavendish and the whole team fair winds and following seas” .

Niels Vaessen: “I feel honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I am grateful for the knowledge and insight I have gained while working with Arthur and Anjo. I would like to thank them for the passion and work they have put into our company for all these years.

I am excited to contribute to the future successes of our shipyard, which is renowned for building ultra-technological superyachts. We are committed to investing in research and development to ensure that we continue to deliver the most innovative and reliable products to our clients. As one of the largest employers in Noord-Brabant, we will continue to collaborate with our local community and contribute to the development of our region. Our worldwide success has deep roots in our hometown and is the result of great teamwork by our highly-skilled people.”

Heesen reveals ambitious new 62-metre superyacht project at Monaco Yacht Show – Monte-Carlo

World-renowned Dutch superyacht builder Heesen Yachts debuted a daring new Steel FDHF 62-metre superyacht – codenamed Project Monte-Carlo , at their kick-off press conference at the Hotel Hermitage in Monaco.

One of the shipyard’s most ambitious projects to date, the yacht’s design by British studio Harrison Eidsgaard has been tailored to meet the requirements of modern owners who want to spend increased periods of time on board.

The four-deck yacht will be one of the yard’s largest yachts by volume ever built in Oss. Heesen’s CEO , Niels Vaessen, explained that the design is a direct response to trends they are currently seeing in the market. “It is unusual for us to build a four-decker, but we have had a few requests for such a boat from former clients, so it made sense to create one. We are addressing a key market of owners that are looking to maximise space and experience on board to share with family and friends.”

The luxury of privacy Optimising the increased space afforded by the four-deck design, Project Monte-Carlo will have an entire deck dedicated to the owners. Catering to a trend post-pandemic of owners spending periods of time working on board, the area incorporates both a lavish master suite and a spacious office area.

Designer Peder Eidsgaard highlighted that the owner’s deck offers supreme privacy and could be utilised in different ways depending on their reference.

“It is a very open master suite, with the bathtub, shower and office all interconnected,” he said. “The benefit of this arrangement is that an incoming owner can easily toy with the space devoted to each area. The potential is huge; you expand the master suite to include a private foredeck with its own sundeck, jacuzzi and a fold-down balcony to starboard. From his/her office, the owner can walk straight out onto the balcony and take a seat.”

The guest accommodation will be split across the main and lower decks. Eidsgaard’s design proposes a mix of up to five lavish VIP cabins and comfortable doubles.

Connected to the sea Project Monte-Carlo has also been created to allow owners and guests to feel a constant connection to the water. The design includes a large 23-square-metre pool, with glass sides giving the impression that you are swimming in the sea and fold-down wings on the aft deck that allow you to sit right over the water.

Other key spaces include a ‘beach lounge’ on the main deck, where low-slung sofas offer an informal dining area for up to 14 guests, with sliding doors again connecting the yacht to its surroundings. There is also a firepit observation lounge under the mast, an outdoor kitchen, and a semi-open sky lounge seating area, including a hidden pop-up TV for movie nights.

Holistic living Wellness is also of increasing importance to owners, and therefore, the design allows for a dedicated centre on the lower deck. Provisional designs for this space include a large gym, sauna, hammam and massage or beauty room.

The yacht’s beach club is also ideal for launching water toys, and its impressive storage will ensure that Project Monte-Carlo can be equipped with the latest toys available, including e-foils, wave runners and a diving kit. Additionally, the yacht has storage for two tenders, which are used for easy excursions back to the shore.

Sustainable planning Along with the rest of the superyacht community, Heesen is committed to a more sustainable future. In line with this and Heesen’s BlueNautech strategy , the boat is technically enabled for serial hybrid propulsion, with space for a large battery bank. It also has a methanol-ready tank layout for future conversion to hydrogen combustion or even a fuel cell. The fast displacement hull form is optimised for 12-knot cruising, but the power train can manage up to 16 knots.

“We see that our owners are increasingly interested in minimising their environmental impact,” added Peter Van Der Zanden, Heesen’s General Manager for Design & Development. “By planning the yacht around tried-and-tested green solutions, we are helping them make good decisions that don’t add much time and cost to the build.”

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Niels Vaessen takes the helm at Heesen Yachts

by Mariska Buitendijk | Oct 26, 2023 | News , Ship design , Shipbuilding , Yachts

From 1 November, Niels Vaessen will be the new CEO of Heesen Yachts. Vaessen has served as CFO of the yacht builder for more than a decade and now takes over from Arthur Brouwer.

Vaessen joined Heesen in 2012 as finance manager after working at PwC for eight years. In 2013, the board appointed him as the CFO, a position he still holds today.

Brouwer has been at the helm of Heesen since 2014. Under his leadership, the shipyard strengthened its position as a leader in the superyacht industry and modernised its portfolio. Additionally, Brouwer successfully navigated the company through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

Also read: VIDEO: Heesen joins hull and superstructure of Project Orion

Healthy order book

With a workforce of 1000 people, Heesen builds full-custom superyachts and series on speculation from 50 to 80 metres in steel and aluminium. Heesen looks confidently into the future with a healthy order book of fifteen yachts whose deliveries span through 2027. Brouwer leaves a healthy company with an annual turnover of approximately EUR 200 million.

At the same time, Supervisory Board Chairman Anjo Joldersma has also indicated that it is time for his retirement. From November 1, Adse de Kock will be the Supervisory Board Chairman.

Also read: Heesen applies Finsulate antifouling on superyacht

‘I had the privilege to work in many different and interesting industries,’ says Brouwer. ‘Yachting is an exciting business, and it seems to be the perfect sector for ending my active career. I am leaving a healthy company with a robust and well-organised structure in good hands. Heesen needs a CEO with good industry knowledge, a well-connected network, and a deep understanding of the shipbuilding process and the commercial dynamics. Niels and I worked closely together for many years and have overcome some challenges. I am proud of the results we have accomplished. I wish Niels, Rick van de Wetering, Mark Cavendish and the whole team fair winds and following seas.’

Vaessen adds: ‘I feel honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I am grateful for the knowledge and insight I have gained while working with Arthur and Anjo. I would like to thank them for the passion and work they have put into our company for all these years. I am excited to contribute to the future successes of our shipyard, which is renowned for building ultra-technological superyachts. We are committed to investing in research and development to ensure that we continue to deliver the most innovative and reliable products to our clients. As one of the largest employers in Noord-Brabant, we will continue to collaborate with our local community and contribute to the development of our region. Our worldwide success has deep roots in our hometown and is the result of great teamwork by our highly-skilled people.’

Picture: Niels Vaessen (by Georges van Wensween).

Also read: Heesen’s largest steel motoryacht to date hits the water

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