Stepping into Royal Smit & Zoon, after more than 200 years of history, and following in the footsteps of René Weltevrede is both an honor and a responsibility. René’s 40+ years of experience, including two decades within the company, represent far more than a role. They reflect a deep understanding of our business, our people, and our culture. Over the past months, René guided me through an intensive handover, sharing insights that go beyond systems and processes. From customers and operations to the unwritten rules that define how we work; it was a truly valuable experience. As René said: “I have every confidence in Wilfred as my successor.” Wilfred Buijs (left) and René Weltevrede Across the globe This journey took me across our global network. A big thank you to the team in China, led by Jack Ji, for the warm welcome and sharp discussions. In India, working closely with Arun and Bhaskaran during plant visits and on-site discussions gave me great insight into both the challenges and opportunities ahead. And in Europe, the visit to Codyeco, together with Geanderson and the team, clearly showed the strength of our combined capabilities. From technical discussions and collaborations with our supply chain partners, it became clear how interconnected our value chain is, and how important these partnerships are for our future success. And sometimes, the moments outside the meetings, like attending a fashion show during the leather fair in India, remind you why we do what we do: seeing craftsmanship, pride, and final products come to life. Team Smit, China Building on a strong foundation René’s farewell across regions showed the lasting impact he has made. His legacy is built on trust, consistency, and dedication, creating a strong foundation for the future. Big shoes to fill? Absolutely. But also, a very strong platform to build on. Moving Forward – Together The first phase was about listening and learning. Now, it’s about moving forward. Our focus is clear: Driving performance through clarity and ownership Making sharper choices and focusing on what matters most Strengthening collaboration across our global network Because success comes from not only working hard, but working smart, together. Welcome on board Looking Ahead What stands out most is the openness and support I’ve experienced across the company. It reflects who we are, and what we can achieve together. The first steps have been taken. Now, it’s time to accelerate. And I’m looking forward to the journey ahead, together. Interesting for you Discover more news Smit & Zoon opens production facility in India On January 31st, 2018, Smit & zoon has officially inaugurated operations in its production facility in Chennai, India. The plant manufactures a selection of Smit & zoon’s wet-end and finishing leather chemicals to specifically meet the needs of customers in the Indian subcontinent. Royal Smit & Zoon maintains EcoVadis Platinum Rating – confirming its position as sustainability leader We are proud to share that Royal Smit & Zoon has once again been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum rating, the world’s most recognized and trusted business sustainability rating. New agent: Introducing Leer Group We are pleased to announce that Leer group has joined as our latest authorised partner, focusing on technical solutions for our customers in India. It is a collaboration of experienced leather technologists with a combined experience in the leather industry of well over a hundred years. More news Go to all news articles Discover Stay informed Receive the latest company news and industry updates Subscribe to our newsletter Share this:
