Van der Linden started its transport activities with a dog cart in the late 18 hundreds and has now been active for more than 125 years in the transportation industry.
In 1904 Arie Van der Linden, then 16 years old, was asked to transport suitcases and other valuables of rail travellers, who arrived at Bennebroek station. This was caused by the fast growth of the Hollandse IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HSM), which operated one of Hollands first rail tracks between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the HSM was looking for someone who could complete the last mile in Bennebroek. Arie saw a business opportunity and stepped in.
First with the dog cart, then with wagon and horse and later with a T-Ford, which was exchanged for a Chevrolet in 1928.
After the second World War the brothers Gijs and Arie took over from father Arie. The company specialized in more activities. Removals, flower transport, bulbs transport, the transport of fences, trees, plants and shrubs and seed for the Hollands Zweedse Zaadmaatschappij. Van der Linden worked for all the shippers in the region.
Na de tweede wereldoorlog namen zonen Gijs en Arie het bedrijf over en specialiseerde het bedrijf zich in diverse soorten vervoer. Verhuizingen, bloementransport, bollen, hekwerk, boomkwekerij planten/heesters – de Hollands Zweedse Zaadmaatschappij, Van der Linden werkte voor alle verladers in de regio.
In 1977 the third generation, Ard and John, took over the helm. A few years later John retired, and the company was led bij Ard and his younger brother Peter. The company expanded further and Van der Linden worked, amongst others, for retailers in food and electronics, and the cardboard industry.. In 1983 Van der Linden drove its first transport for Twinpack. Further expansion followed: transports to abroad, chemical transport ADR and for instance, the transport of window frames.
The first (V)alue (A)dded (L)ogistics activities were executed for the window frame customer. In 1982 the door to door distribution started for a huge electronics retailer. Connecting your television or washing machine on delivery was already done in these days! Nothing new for Van der Linden! The staff would wear the customers working outfits and the truck were in the livery of the customer. Already almost 40 years ago, Van der Linden was offering VAL services which are seen today as normal.
In 2007 Van de Linden was selected by Vegro, a fast growing supplier of medical utilities. Still today, Van der Linden serves Vegro with a large number of trucks and handles the daily door to door distribution of medical products and medical rental equipment to all shops and distribution centres all over the Netherlands.
In 2012, Twinpack and Van der Linden came to take over Twinpack's own transport. The Twinpack drivers were employed by van der Linden and the truck fleet was taken over. The drivers remained in the customer's clothing and the cars remained unchanged, even if they still belonged to the customer. Van der Linden unburdened the customer and took over the personnel and fleet management.
