On December 21, René Berkvens, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, received the KIVI Honorary Medal for Marine Technology. KIVI (est. 1847) is the professional association of engineers in the Netherlands, the company said in its press release. The ceremony took place at Delft Technical University during the symposium ‘Maritime Manufacturing - Is there room for innovation in the boardroom?’ Both jury and speakers praised Mr Berkvens' long-standing role as an initiator and promoter of many commercial, organisational and strategic Damen successes as well as his contribution to the Dutch maritime industry.
In its considerations, the jury says: “René has realised that it is essential to maintain a close relationship between the company's sales strategy and its R&D in all facets of the company," and that "... the yard does not simply offer a product, but a service that the customer uses for years to come.” They also stated that Mr Berkvens clearly identified the importance of finding ways to participate in the development of the client’s business model.
Since 2007, KIVI’s Maritime and Offshore sections award an Honorary Medal for Engineering to a person, company or organisation as "recognition for achieving exceptional results in and for the Dutch Maritime Industry."
Damen's CEO received the medal from the hands of the previous laureate (2013) Edward Heerma of Allseas. Earlier, the medal was awarded to Lex Keuning (2011, TU Delft), Joop Roodenburg (2009, Huisman) and Gerard Dijkstra (2007, Dykstra Naval Architects).