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C. Kersten en Co. N.V. was founded in 1768 and is one of the most diversified companies in Suriname with 13 operating companies divided over 5 divisions. As one of the oldest trade companies in the Western Hemisphere, Kersten has always been able to pride itself upon the trust of the community.
With the highest moral and social standards as it’s foundation, Kersten has developed into a group of companies with a clear vision for the future. The Kersten Group consists of operating companies, which are limited liability enterprises with over 850 employees and experience in industrial equipment, building & construction, trade, hospitality, car sales, distribution. As of 2022 also in the energy sector. Kersten has developed strong ties with the community of Suriname throughout their long history and is committed to create sustainable long term value for their customers, employees and shareholders. The single shareholder of Kersten is the MCF BE B.V.
Mr. Michael Kembel – Chairman
Mr. Rob Zuiverloon – Member
Mr. Hugo Fernandes Mendes – Member
Mr. Graham Kerslake – Member
Mrs. Nonhlanhla Nkosi – Member
Mr. Vishal Jadnanansing – Chief Executive Officer
Mrs. Imani van Klaveren – Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Kurt van Essen – Chief Commercial Officer
Kersten provides businesses in Suriname and in the region with modern and novel products and services to improve their operations across its five divisions, Motors & Industrial equipment, Building & Construction, Distribution, Hospitality and Energy.
Kersten, with its rich history, is a trustworthy partner, developing sustainable and mutually beneficial relations with customers, employees and other stakeholders and aims for preservation of nature.
“We believe in contributing to the well-being of employees, clients, community and other stakeholders. We daily challenge ourselves in creating a healthy, safe and pleasant work environment to achieve and deliver quality in all that we do.”
“We believe in enhancing and creating synergies by working together as a team. We are team players and demonstrate both leadership and professionalism. We motivate and encourage each other by always being accountable, supportive and respectful.”
“We believe in continuous and sustainable improvement of our businesses by stimulating a culture of creative thinking, strategic focus and by seeking new opportunities.”
“We believe in and will reward excellent performance resulting in high quality products and services. We create shareholder’s value by focusing on profitability and by delivering excellence in our products and services.”
“We believe in honesty and trustworthiness by doing what we say and saying what we do. Based on moral principles, we promise each other, our shareholders, partners and customers to be transparent and truthful.”
1768: establishment of Kersten.
Christoph Kersten, finances his missionary work through commercial activities. Albert Helman: “It was a commonplace means to achieve an exalted purpose.” (Business, mission and meditation, 1968) In the following 100 years Kersten established community driven companies such as a bakery, various stores (book, furniture), etc.
Plays key role in development of Suriname by combining entrepeneurship with CSR
International product portfolio expansion CAT,
Massey Ferguson, Mitsubishi, etc.)
Entry into new sectors (Mining, Automotive, Hospitality, Health Care, B&C, Distribution)
Further expansion international product portfolio (Popeyes, Toyota, Bayer, Mitsubishi Electric, Nipro, DAF, TRP, Ironman 4×4, Elphinstone etc.) Joint Operation Argos (Colombia), Collaboration Jolly Group (ABC islands), new GPC Inc. Guyana) 20% Shareholder Finabank Opening new CAT Facility (2015), Surmac French Guyana (2016).
Opportunities: Other sectors (Oil & Gas, Marine etc.), New Markets (French Guyana, Guyana, ABC Islands, Trinidad & Tobago etc.)
Licence agreement Radisson Hotel Group Oil & Gas:
• Kersten Training Academy: OPITO Certified Training Center and provider of other industry related (safety) education and training programs (in process).
• Kersten Environmental Services: Joint Operation with Oilmop Environmental Services Ltd. from Trinidad & Tobago (in process).
• Preferred Local Partner in Suriname: Open for Business!
The Kersten Group believes that an effective governance is vital to sound management and its role is strategic, ensuring not only regulatory compliance but also the vitality of the business model, its vision and its ambitions. It is based on balancing entrepreneurship with risk and control management which means that the Kersten Group businesses and activities are organized for growth and long-term value creation for all stakeholders, while effectively keeping sight of and managing the risks that come with that growth.
In addition to the governance policies, the Supervisory Board of C. Kersten en Co. N.V. has created the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Remuneration & Nomination Committee as oversight board.
In 2020 the governance policies were comprehensively reviewed and revised by the Board of Directors, the Governance Committee, the Legal & Corporate Governance Officer, and the Internal Audit Manager of C. Kersten en Co. N.V. The review is primarily performed to enhance the governance policies of the Kersten Group and to align our policies with the latest regulatory requirements and international best practices.
As part of the measures to improve the effectiveness of the implemented corporate governance policies of the Kersten Group, the Code of Conduct and the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure were fully rolled out and form part of the new employees introductory document to be signed-off. Since 2019, a quarterly reporting from the Operating Companies was required to emphasize the importance of these policies and to embed them operationally. From January 2020 on the Legal & Corporate Governance Officer of C. Kersten en Co. N.V. is responsible for the monitoring of the governance policies. The objective of the aforementioned monitoring process is to further improve the effectiveness of the corporate governance policies of the Kersten Group.
The mark of a choice well made
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