The history of Merba is about a special history of an enterprising family. They have grown a small-scale bakery into an internationally leading high-tech company that supplies the entire world with the most delicious cookies.
Handelsonderneming Merwede in Sliedrecht is founded. From the very start, things go well for Merwede. The trading company in Sliedrecht soon acquired several agencies for confectionery and cookies, which are sold in the South Holland region.
From selling cookies to making cookies is only a small step. The office of Handelsonderneming Merwede is located opposite the Reformed Church. In 1932, the building is up for sale. The traditional church building is transformed into Banketfabriek Merba. The name Merba stands for the basic ingredients of a cookie: Milk-Eggs-Cream-Butter-Almonds.
In 1940, Handelsonderneming Merwede expands further with a new office building and a new warehouse. During the Second World War, cookie production comes to a complete standstill. Banketfabriek Merba operates a soup kitchen for the people of Sliedrecht. Approximately 700 meals are prepared each day.
De Merwede, as the company is popularly known, soon resumes production. And with success. Orders from many small grocers in South Holland flow in daily. Deliveries by bicycle are a thing of the past now, because the first van is a fact.
Jan Boerman Sr. starts out as a driver at Handelsonderneming Merwede. Two years later, he gets the chance to progress to the position of sales representative. In 1965, he takes on a challenge outside Merwede, not knowing that 10 years later, as Managing Director, he is going to help lay the foundations for Royal Merba as we know it today.
The kletsmajoors have been part of the range since 1939 with moderate success. A change in the recipe (with butter) leads to a surge in sales of Kletsmajoors. This delicious cookie is still one of our most popular choices with coffee today.
It is 1975 when Jan Boerman Sr. starts to get the itch. He wants to start his own business and hears that Merba is looking for a new Managing Director. He takes the plunge and it pays off.
The growing demand for Merba cookies leads to a shortage of space. Expansion at the existing location appears not to be possible. Eventually Merba moves from the church building to the former football field in Sliedrecht. In order to increase the capacity of the new bakery, two complete, (for that time) modern, almost new production lines are purchased, each capable of processing more than 300 kilos of cookies per hour.
From the time when the brothers Jan Jr. and Wim were about fifteen, they worked every spare hour at Merba. Cleaning the factory, making dough, delivering mail, restocking, loading and unloading lorries and many other tasks. They grew up in the factory and have learned what work is all about. Wim is 22 years old when he officially joins Merba as an administrative employee. It soon becomes apparent that he is handy with computers and technology. As a troubleshooter for computer problems, he is exposed to all facets of the bakery, from administration to production and logistics.
Before long, he knows all the ins and outs of the business processes and knows how to solve technical problems effectively.
In 1983, son Jan Jr. also decides to join the Merba team. With the move and the automation, the bakery has higher fixed costs and produces more cookies. This forces Merba to expand its sales territory. The trio has big plans. Soon the whole of the Netherlands becomes acquainted with Merba cookies and the sweet treats are well received throughout Europe. Jan Jr. even travels to America for a year to tap into the market there. Despite not succeeding in gaining a foothold this year, it unknowingly paves the way for the later development of Merba's chocolate chip cookies. In the meantime, the range is greatly expanded.
Among other products, Merba produces, Kletsmajoors, cream biscuits, advocaat sprits, coconut macaroons, speculaas, butter rings, almond bars and almond crowns.
It is time to pass on the reins to the boys. In the first years after Jan Sr.'s retirement, he remains as a commissioner and still regularly visits the factory. The brothers can come to him with all their questions, however, as time goes by, he retreats further into the background.
Merba purchases a packaging robot. With this, the company is the first in the sector to package cookies fully automatically.
What does it take to grow a cookie factory internationally? Cookies that are loved all over the world. Jan Jr. had already found the answer to this question years before during his time in America. The now very well-known chocolate biscuit is a fixture on the shelves in European shops.
The success of the chocolate chip cookies forces Merba to find a larger location. The former Jamin factory in Oosterhout catches the eye; a spacious, park-like location with ample space for further growth.
After a number of turbulent years, the brothers realise that they cannot continue to do everything themselves. Jan den Hartog joins the board and brings expertise in the field of finance.
The right entrepreneurial blood flows through the veins of the management. Major investments in ovens, machines and robots put the company firmly on the world map. The oven capacity grows enormously and the production process is fully robotised. It is not only about investing. Merba also continues to surprise the market with new products.
Merba has grown into one of the most modern factories in the food industry and we are extremely proud of that. Modern workplaces and a welcoming company canteen are, of course, essential. The offices are stylishly and sustainably furnished with ergonomic workstations and plenty of light.
In 2016, we develop our own chocolate line that converts liquid chocolate into chunks. These rich chocolate chunks are specially made for our delicious chocolate chip cookies, ensuring every bite is packed with pure flavour and quality.
The 100th anniversary of Merba is the opportunity for His Majesty the King to grant the company the Royal Warrant. Because of Corona, the official presentation of the Royal Warrant had to be postponed until 24 June, 2021. In the presence of the mayor of Oosterhout, the King's Commissioner presented the certificate accompanying the Royal Warrant to the management of Merba.
Our sales are growing strongly once more and we introduce our newest production line. This ultra-modern line is equipped with the latest technologies, which allows us to produce more efficiently and to deliver the highest quality.
With the bankruptcy of our tray supplier, Merba sees an opportunity. Where others might have seen problems, Merba saw an opportunity to gain more control over the supply chain. Packaging Steenbergen becomes part of Merba and is specialised in developing and producing plastic packaging for the food industry. This strategic step allows us to guarantee quality and to further optimise our production processes. A smart move for the future!
The modernized quality service opens its doors. Innovation and well-being are key! Comfortable ergonomic workspaces, modern conference rooms for meetings and collaboration, and a special R&D area where new ideas and improvements are refined.
The combination of the development of human capital, innovation in technology and craftsmanship, automation, and effective and efficient flexibility ensures that we have a strong and sustainable position in a highly competitive market. In this way, Royal Merba maintains a high quality standard with regard to the products and the product process while also maintaining low prices.
Our colleagues work together every day to ensure that millions of cookies are baked, cooled and packaged. Behind the scenes at our successful factory, it is not only our customers who we ensure are satisfied. We also ensure that our employees can work safely and with pleasure and that Royal Merba can continue to grow. Whatever your ambitions, you are sure to find a challenge that suits you here.
Working at MerbaRoyal Merba sees sustainable entrepreneurship as a given. We make every effort to produce our cookies as sustainably as possible.
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Royal Merba produces high quality cookies and sells them all over the world.
