Hundred relatively unknown manufacturing companies generate 100 billion euros in revenue

• The top‑performing companies in De Makers Top 100 generate nearly 100 billion euros in revenue and more than 294,000 jobs

• The semiconductor industry leads with rising revenues and strong profit margins, while machine builders in food and defence gain ground quickly

• Energy‑intensive companies fall behind because of high energy and labour costs

Manufacturing sector acts as the quiet engine behind the Dutch knowledge economy

The hundred largest and most profitable manufacturing companies in the Netherlands together generate almost 100 billion euros in revenue, yet many remain unknown to the general public. The latest edition of De Makers Top 100 by ABN AMRO and Link Magazine – an annual ranking of the hundred top‑performing companies in the Dutch manufacturing sector – shows a very dynamic sector that acts as a cornerstone of the Dutch knowledge economy. The manufacturing sector enjoys above‑average profitability and has a strong presence in regions such as Brainport, Twente, South Holland and Gelderland. This year, companies in the semiconductor industry lead the ranking, with clear front‑runners such as ASML, NXP, ASM and Besi, while machine builders and defence companies gain ground quickly.

Growth in machine building and defence shifts the playing field

This year’s ranking shows a clear reshuffle: newcomers perform strongly, while some well‑known names drop out. Ampelmann and Van Halteren enter the list at positions 19 and 40. Van Halteren performs exceptionally well because of strong growth in the defence industry. At the same time, familiar players such as Bugaboo, Hittech and IGS GeboJagema temporarily leave the list, partly due to ownership changes. Electronics company Prodrive rises to position 9, and machine builder Tummers also scores very well. The company moved from position 68 to 29 thanks to strong sales of complete french‑fry lines and potato‑peeling machines. Meanwhile, energy‑intensive companies struggle. Gietburg Holding drops from position 45 to 84. Casting iron parts for the automotive industry requires a lot of energy, while the market faces pressure and environmental regulations become stricter.

Manufacturing sector acts as a driver of the Dutch economy

The Makers Top 100 shows the economic weight of a sector that is crucial for the Netherlands, yet rarely in the spotlight,” says David Kemps, Industry Sector Specialist at ABN AMRO. “This sector plays a major role in economic growth and in creating high‑quality jobs in the Netherlands. The hundred top manufacturing companies together generate nearly 100 billion euros in revenue and more than 294,000 direct jobs. Each job in manufacturing also creates an average of two to three extra jobs in related sectors, such as suppliers, logistics and services – from catering to security and facility services,” Kemps explains. “At the same time, the manufacturing sector has a key role in innovation. A significant share of annual patent applications in the Netherlands comes from leaders in this sector.”

Makers Top 100

The 'Makers Top 100’ includes only Dutch manufacturing companies that produce physical products or semi‑finished goods. To compare companies fairly, businesses in wholesale and the process industry – such as chemicals, pharma, food and building materials – are excluded. The ranking is based on publicly available annual reports, where net revenue counts for 40 per cent and the average three‑year EBITDA margin counts for 60 per cent. ‘De Makers Top 100’ is created by ABN AMRO and Link Magazine, supported by consultancy firm Gwynt and automation company Infor.