The Netherlands, known for its strategic location in Europe and its robust economy, is home to numerous multinational corporations that play a significant role in the global market. This review explores the top ten largest companies in the Netherlands, researching into their market share, profits, revenue, number of employees, leadership, services, products, history, and future growth projections for 2025.
Royal Dutch Shell, one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, has its headquarters in The Hague. With a market capitalization exceeding $200 billion, Shell operates in over 70 countries and employs approximately 86,000 people globally. The company reported a revenue of $386 billion in 2022, with a net profit of $19 billion. Shell's leadership, headed by CEO Wael Sawan, focuses on transitioning to renewable energy while maintaining its traditional oil and gas operations. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint and invest significantly in sustainable energy projects, projecting a growth trajectory that aligns with global energy transition trends.
2. Unilever
Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, is renowned for its diverse portfolio of products ranging from food and beverages to personal care and cleaning agents. Headquartered in Rotterdam, Unilever operates in over 190 countries, employing around 148,000 people. In 2022, the company reported a revenue of €60 billion, with a profit of €9 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Hein Schumacher, Unilever is committed to sustainability and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2039. The company's future growth is projected to be driven by innovation in product offerings and expansion into emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Africa.
3. ING Group
ING Group, a global financial institution, is headquartered in Amsterdam and serves millions of customers worldwide. With a market capitalization of approximately €50 billion, ING employs around 53,000 people and reported a revenue of €19 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €4 billion. The leadership of CEO Steven van Rijswijk emphasizes digital transformation and customer-centric banking solutions. ING's future growth projections indicate a continued focus on enhancing digital services and expanding its footprint in high-growth markets, particularly in Asia and Europe.
Ahold Delhaize is a prominent international food retail group, operating supermarkets and e-commerce platforms across Europe and the United States. Headquartered in Zaandam, the company employs approximately 400,000 people and reported a revenue of €74 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €2.4 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Frans Muller, Ahold Delhaize is focused on enhancing its online presence and sustainability initiatives. The company's growth projections for 2025 highlight an increasing emphasis on e-commerce and sustainable sourcing practices.
5. Philips
Philips, a leading health technology company, is headquartered in Amsterdam and operates in over 100 countries. With a market capitalization of approximately €40 billion, Philips employs around 80,000 people and reported a revenue of €19 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €1.5 billion. CEO Roy Jakobs leads the company's strategic focus on health technology innovation, particularly in medical devices and personal health products. Future growth projections for Philips indicate a strong emphasis on digital health solutions and sustainable practices, aligning with global healthcare trends.
| Company | Headquarters | Revenue (2022) | Net Profit (2022) | Employees | CEO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Dutch Shell | The Hague | $386 billion | $19 billion | 86,000 | Wael Sawan |
| Unilever | Rotterdam | €60 billion | €9 billion | 148,000 | Hein Schumacher |
| ING Group | Amsterdam | €19 billion | €4 billion | 53,000 | Steven van Rijswijk |
| Ahold Delhaize | Zaandam | €74 billion | €2.4 billion | 400,000 | Frans Muller |
| Philips | Amsterdam | €19 billion | €1.5 billion | 80,000 | Roy Jakobs |
| ASML Holding | Veldhoven | €23 billion | €5 billion | 40,000 | Peter Wennink |
| Heineken | Amsterdam | €25 billion | €2 billion | 85,000 | Dolf van den Brink |
| KPN | The Hague | €7 billion | €1 billion | 10,000 | Joost Farwerck |
| Randstad | Diemen | €24 billion | €1 billion | 38,000 | Jacques van den Broek |
| DSM | Heerlen | €10 billion | €1.5 billion | 23,000 | Geraldine Matchett |
6. ASML Holding
ASML Holding, a key player in the semiconductor industry, is headquartered in Veldhoven and is renowned for its advanced lithography systems used in chip manufacturing. With a market capitalization exceeding €200 billion, ASML employs around 40,000 people and reported a revenue of €23 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €5 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Peter Wennink, ASML is committed to innovation and research, with significant investments in R&D. The company's future growth projections are robust, driven by increasing demand for semiconductors in various sectors, including automotive and consumer electronics.
7. Heineken
Heineken, one of the largest brewing companies in the world, is headquartered in Amsterdam and operates in over 190 countries. With a market capitalization of approximately €40 billion, Heineken employs around 85,000 people and reported a revenue of €25 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €2 billion. The leadership of CEO Dolf van den Brink emphasizes sustainability and innovation in product offerings. Heineken's future growth projections indicate a continued focus on expanding its premium beer segment and enhancing its sustainability initiatives.
8. KPN
KPN, the leading telecommunications company in the Netherlands, is headquartered in The Hague and serves millions of customers with various telecommunications services. With a market capitalization of approximately €20 billion, KPN employs around 10,000 people and reported a revenue of €7 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €1 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Joost Farwerck, KPN is focused on enhancing its digital infrastructure and expanding its fiber-optic network. Future growth projections for KPN highlight the importance of 5G technology and digital services in driving revenue growth.
9. Randstad
Randstad, a global leader in staffing and human resource services, is headquartered in Diemen and operates in 38 countries. With a market capitalization of approximately €10 billion, Randstad employs around 38,000 people and reported a revenue of €24 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €1 billion. The leadership of CEO Jacques van den Broek emphasizes innovation in recruitment and workforce solutions. Randstad's future growth projections indicate a strong focus on digital transformation and expanding its service offerings in the gig economy.
10. DSM
DSM, a global leader in nutrition and materials, is headquartered in Heerlen and operates in over 50 countries. With a market capitalization of approximately €20 billion, DSM employs around 23,000 people and reported a revenue of €10 billion in 2022, with a net profit of €1.5 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Geraldine Matchett, DSM is committed to sustainability and innovation in its product offerings. The company's future growth projections highlight an increasing focus on sustainable solutions and expanding its presence in emerging markets.
Finale
The largest companies in the Netherlands not only contribute significantly to the national economy but also play crucial roles in the global market. As they navigate the challenges of sustainability, digital transformation, and changing consumer preferences, their leadership and strategic initiatives will be pivotal in shaping their future growth trajectories. With ambitious goals set for 2025, these companies are well-positioned to leverage their strengths and capitalize on emerging opportunities in their respective industries.
