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B.V., as it was later renamed, is a leading timber company that specializes in marine and construction timber.īruynzeel now has more than 40 years of experience in the production of marine plywood. While this established Van de Stadt as an innovative yacht designer, Okoume marine grade plywood from Bruynzeel was also established as the new standard of the industry.
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The special marine grade plywood from Bruynzeel was a perfect construction material for the project. In 1939 the Valk came into being, still a popular open sailing boat in the Netherlands today. Bruynzeel suggested that his new “Hechthout” laminated panel, as he called it, was superbly suited as a building material for such a sailing yacht. The naval architect Ricus van de Stadt, known to Bruynzeel through the sailing fraternity, received the order to design a daysailer suitable for series production. Using a newly-developed water-resistant synthetic resin glue, Bruynzeel developed a durable three-ply laminated panel similar to plywood and intended for the fabrication of external doors. Kees began to consider alternative markets and pioneered the development of new timber materials for the production of the Bruynzeel kitchen and for boat construction. By 1939, their production had expanded to include floors and kitchens, but the threat of World War II was depressing the building industry. In 1920 he became manager of the family's new door factory in Zaandam. True marine grade plywood actually dates back to the thirties when Bruynzeel, a door manufacturer in Zaandam, Netherlands, developed a superior form of plywood.Ĭornelius (Kees) Bruynzeel was a Dutch businessman, timber merchant and yachtsman. The History of Okoume Marine Grade Plywood: There are three key areas of confusion the manufacturers and methods the materials used and the British Standard specifications & Lloyds of London certifications. Never has a construction material been at the center of more confusion about its name, its qualities and its sources. The History of Okoume Marine Grade Plywood
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