The Nivora Group is a Dutch industrial company with a specific mission, a long history, and a unique ownership structure.
The group comprises four leading Dutch metalworking machine brands with a rich history: Darley (1934) and Safan (1960), which build innovative machines for sheet metal working under the SafanDarley brand; Bewo Cutting Systems (1935), which produces industrial sawing machines; STYLE CNC Machines (1991), a manufacturer of unique lathes and milling machines; and FCC in Sweden, which specializes in CAD/CAM software, under the name AutoPOL, for the sheet metal working industry.
The Nivora Group has factories in Lochem, Eijsden, Waalwijk, and Bunschoten, and branches in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the United States, and Taiwan. It employs approximately 400 people in the Netherlands, generating a combined turnover of approximately 80 million euros.
Structure
The group comprises four leading Dutch metalworking machine brands with a rich history: Darley (1934) and Safan (1960), which build innovative machines for sheet metal working under the SafanDarley brand; Bewo Cutting Systems (1935), which produces industrial sawing machines; STYLE CNC Machines (1991), a manufacturer of unique lathes and milling machines; and FCC in Sweden, which specializes in CAD/CAM software, under the name AutoPOL, for the sheet metal working industry.
The Nivora Group has factories in Lochem, Eijsden, Waalwijk, and Bunschoten, and branches in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the United States, and Taiwan. It employs approximately 400 people in the Netherlands, generating a combined turnover of approximately 80 million euros.
History
1960- Safan (Samenwerkende Fabrieken in Nederland) was founded in 1960 and located in the Groothandelsgebouw in Rotterdam. Initially, there were five shareholders, including Bewo in Tilburg. By 1962, only WILA, owned by the Willemsen brothers in Lochem, remained. Wila had been a manufacturer of sheet metal working machines since 1932. From that point on, Safan operated as a trading company of Wila. | 1975- In 1975, the Willemsen brothers parted ways. Safan became an independent production company for sheet metal working machines (shears and press brakes) in Lochem. Sales were handled by the Safan holding company, based in Rotterdam. Wila, also in Lochem, focused on the production of tools. |
1980- Safan's results weren't good, and in 1980, sales and production were merged in Lochem, where the company remains today. Some time later, Gerard Rave, owner of ARA (Apparatenfabriek Rave Aalten), was approached to help avert bankruptcy. Safan was a major customer of ARA, but Rave had another reason: "... because I've always believed in using my money as much as possible to maintain employment." Several other shareholders, as well as the Safan Personnel Foundation, joined him. | 1986- In 1986, Safan was healthy again. Rave was still the sole shareholder. He wanted the company to continue to exist for the people who built it. "If you want to take good care of a company, you have to ensure a good successor. ...... That's why I thought: I have to ensure that ownership is transferred to an independent, autonomous body, one that my family doesn't have any say in." This led to the establishment of the Nivora Foundation, which became Safan's sole shareholder. Rave remained chairman of the board until 1997 and then retired completely. |
2008- Safan is doing well. This allows Nivora to respond positively to a request from the receiver of Bewo, Tilburg, to allow a restart of the sawing machine manufacturer. Bewo, founded in 1934 and once one of Safan's shareholders in 1960, will become the second machine factory under the Nivora banner. The unique expertise in industrial sawing applications and the employment of several dozen people will remain in Tilburg. | 2010- In 2010, the family-owned company Trioliet approached the board of Nivora. The Liet family owned Darley in Eijsden, an established name in press brakes, shears, cutting, punching, and bending machines. The family sought a partner that would ensure the company's continuity and be able to focus on and invest in Darley's further development. This led to Darley's acquisition by the Nivora Group on January 1, 2011. |
2012- In 2012, STYLE High Tech went bankrupt. STYLE develops and manufactures teach-in lathes and milling machines, specifically for single-piece and small series. The company contacted Nivora to request a restart. Nivora, too, possessed unique expertise that, along with the employment of dozens of people, could be preserved. Under the Nivora banner, the company relaunched in Bunschoten as STYLE CNC Machines. | 2013- The growing collaboration between Safan and Darley led to the launch of the new global brand, SafanDarley, in 2013. The best of both brands were combined in a new range of electric and hydraulic press brakes, ranging from 200 to 1250 tons. |
2014- In 2014, Nivora acquired Falköping Cad-Cam Software AB (FCC). This company manufactures press brake software under the Autopol brand. The company is a subsidiary of SafanDarley Holding BV. | 2016- In 2016, SafanDarley established a sales office in North America (SafanDarley North America) to operate closer to our US customers. This company has since grown into a sales and service firm with specialists providing advice and high-quality service and maintenance services. |
