Where we came from and how we have grown.
At Bekking & Blitz, it is not only about beautiful products, but also about a better world. That is why corporate social responsibility (CSR) is at the heart of everything we do. From the materials we use to the way we work with people and organisations, we always look beyond the end product.
In a distinctive building at Spuistraat 28 in Amsterdam, Hein Bekking, born in Rotterdam, establishes a publishing company: Uitgeverij Bekking. He focuses on producing diaries and yearbooks for businesses, including the Port of Rotterdam Authority, for which Hein Bekking creates his first diary in 1964. It is a ring-binder edition, a format that remains popular today.
Soon, Uitgeverij Bekking also begins publishing books on politics and history. Plans are made for a bookshop of its own. In 1967, Hein’s wife Francien therefore earns her bookseller’s diploma. Francien has already been working half-days in the company since 1963.
Five years later, the time has come: Hein and Francien open Minerva bookshop on Koninginneweg in Amsterdam, with a presentation space for their own book titles on the first floor. The shop still exists today, although it now has a different owner.
‘The Atlas of Dutch Democracy’ is published, mapping out the essence of democracy in the Netherlands. How is parliament organised? How does a bill become law? What are citizens’ rights and duties? How do healthcare, energy supply, education and defence function? In which international bodies does the Netherlands have a voice? And what do those bodies do for citizens of the Netherlands and other countries?
In 1981, the office moves to Prins Frederiklaan 10 in Amersfoort. Shortly afterwards, it also becomes the Bekking family’s new home. A fun detail: the house appears on the cover of ‘De schat van Aros Killee’ by W.H. van Eemlandt, the pen name of Willem Hendrik Haase, father of author Hella Haasse. Bekking & Blitz publishes his detective series.
Bekking & Blitz takes its first steps into the art world with the publication of a booklet by Amersfoort artist Toon Tieland. Many more printed products for Toon Tieland follow, including Christmas cards, calendars and exhibition catalogues.
Not long afterwards, Bekking & Blitz begins importing high-quality art cards. The Dutch market proves ready for them. The next step is therefore to develop cards featuring Dutch art. These printed products are sold to bookshops and stationery retailers, but not yet to museums.
Ike, Hein and Francien’s daughter, joins the family business. As a sales representative, she lays the foundations for a healthy future. In 1989, she leaves Bekking & Blitz to pursue new plans. Today, Ike runs two successful bookshops. In the late 1980s, her brothers Bas and Niels begin working at Bekking & Blitz, making it a true family business.
Gerdy Segers becomes Hein’s right-hand person. A trained historian, author and editor, Gerdy also introduces Professor P.J.A. (Peter) Rietbergen, who begins writing books for Bekking & Blitz. His first title is ‘A Short History of the Netherlands’, still the publishing house’s most important book title. This richly illustrated book is now available in several languages.
In collaboration with Michel van Maarseveen, then curator at Museum Prinsenhof in Delft, Bekking & Blitz develops the booklet ‘Vermeer and Delft: an artist and his city’. The booklet also proves popular at the Mauritshuis. For Bekking & Blitz, this is the first major step towards museums. Today, we work closely with museums large and small, both in the Netherlands and abroad—from Singer Laren to the Rijksmuseum, and from Museum de Fundatie to Berlin’s Pergamon Museum.
Bekking & Blitz works with a growing number of museums and also begins holding stock for them. The retail market expands too. We no longer produce only printed materials, but also gifts such as glasses cases and umbrellas—bulky products that require space. More storage is needed, so in 2002 Bekking & Blitz moves to Textielweg in Amersfoort.
The Rijksmuseum begins selling our publication ‘A Short History of the Netherlands’. It proves to be a milestone. Today, we develop complete product collections with the museum for its shop.
Growth continues. That is why, since 1 January 2017, we have been based at Hardwareweg 9 in Amersfoort. The spacious premises contain offices and plenty of practical storage. This marks a new phase for Bekking & Blitz. We can serve our customers even better, work with greater precision and deliver more quickly—another significant improvement in quality.
Bekking & Blitz devotes considerable attention to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Profit is not the only consideration; we also examine the impact of our business activities on people, both inside and outside the company, and on the environment. Every business decision is assessed accordingly. In addition, we have been a partner of MVO Nederland since December 2020.
With the same love of art, culture and craftsmanship, we continue to look ahead. We keep discovering new stories, forming special partnerships and developing innovative ways to make art accessible. In this way, we continue building a future in which beauty inspires, connects and surprises.
