Building on technology since 1976
What began in 1976 in the shed behind his father’s nursery in De Lier grew into a leading player in horticultural technology. Jacques Enthoven laid the foundation for Enthoven Techniek and spent years building up the company, which over time established itself at various locations in De Lier and Maasdijk.
In 2008, Ronald Begelinger and Patrick Gijsbers took over the company. Together, they founded Patron, a name derived from a combination of their own names. Under this private limited company (B.V.) fell the businesses Enthoven Techniek, Elektro Limburg, AEM, and Hoogendoorn Projects, all of which they had acquired. Hoogendoorn Projects was renamed Patron Agri Systems, and Patron Agri Systems International was established to handle international projects.
From that point on, the international focus grew. While Enthoven Techniek concentrated more on domestic projects within the Netherlands, international projects were carried out under Patron Agri Systems International. In 2010, we worked together for the first time with Van der Hoeven on a project for Rijk Zwaan in Mexico, marking the start of a long-standing and close partnership.
In 2011, Patrick and Ronald decided to pursue separate paths. Patrick focused on the Limburg division, while Ronald took charge of Enthoven Techniek and Patron Agri Systems.
In the years that followed, our collaboration with Van der Hoeven intensified. In 2018, we moved into the building right next to Van der Hoeven in Den Hoorn. A year later, in 2019, Van der Hoeven acquired Enthoven Techniek and Patron Agri Systems. The two companies, which had already been operating under one roof but still separately, were officially brought together. Quite literally, as the wall between the two offices was taken down.