FME’s more than 2,000 members include tech start-ups, small and medium-sized industrial companies, and large multinationals operating in the metal, electronics, electrical engineering and plastics sectors. FME is an indispensable link and, together with its members, is committed to a strong technology industry in the Netherlands, working to find solutions to major societal challenges and building sustainable growth, innovative strength and the Netherlands’ earning capacity.
Special moments during the celebration
A special moment during the anniversary celebrations was the surprise for FME chairman Theo Henrar. Minister Heleen Herbert (Economic Affairs and Climate) appointed him on the spot as an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau, an honour that many in the room also saw as a tribute to the entire technology industry. Henrar is known for his unifying role and his ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation within the sector.
The Peter Wennink Tech Award was also presented during the anniversary event. The winner was LeydenJar, a deep-tech scale-up that has achieved a breakthrough in battery technology based on silicon anodes. Read
Holland High Tech and FME: complementary strengths
Holland High Tech’s presence at this anniversary event underscores the close ties between the two organisations. FME and Holland High Tech share the same ambition: a strong, innovative and internationally competitive technology industry in the Netherlands. FME mobilises and connects the broad community of technology companies; Holland High Tech brings that innovative strength together with knowledge institutions and the government in strategic programmes.
Peter Stolk, Chair of Holland High Tech and Chair of Key Technologies:
"FME: congratulations on this special anniversary. 75 years of FME means 75 years of building the backbone of the Dutch technology industry. Holland High Tech and FME complement each other: as an industry partner, FME represents the entrepreneurs and companies that make a difference every day, whilst we establish the link with the wider ecosystem of key technologies and public-private innovation partnerships. Together, we are working towards a Netherlands that will continue to lead the way in technological innovation in the coming decades."
