Wout van Ewijk winner of Lodewijk van der Grinten Entrepreneur Prize 2019

For the tenth time the Lodewijk van der Grinten Entrepreneur Award was presented yesterday. Wout van Ewijk of Pure Ingredients was the winner during this renowned event in Groot-Venlo. He beat the two other nominees Frans Cremers (Cremers Coolcare) and Guus Treuen (Marcelissen Food Processing Machinery).

Food, creation and innovation

The theme of this year's Venlo Business Award was 'Food, creation and innovation'. A theme based on the spearheads of Region Venlo: Agrofood, Logistics and Manufacturing, with a clear link to the circular economy and continuous innovation.

The award is an initiative of the Foundation Lodewijk van der Grinten Ondernemersprijs, in which LLTB Venlo-Horst, MKB Limburg, Ondernemend Venlo and the municipality of Venlo work together. An expert jury assesses the nominees on the basis of, among other things, entrepreneurship, eye for sustainability and contribution to Venlo society.

Worldly flavours

Wout van Ewijk has been at the helm of Pure Ingredients, the market leader in the world of halal food, since 1993. The company has production sites in Venlo and Kaldenkirchen and employs over 200 people. Under the names Mekkafood and Lekker&Anders, the company now offers an extensive range of world flavors. Van Ewijk emerged as the winner after company visits by the jury, provided company information and a pitch at the nomination event.

Source: Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize
Image: Constance Jentjens via Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize