Our company
Company history
We are a fourth generation family business. In 1922, the family had a butcher's shop in Goeree-Overflakkee (Melissant). And after the idea of Cornelis Goedegebuur (Michiel Goedegebuur's great grandpa) to start a family business in Rotterdam, we have now, more than 100 years later, grown into a fantastic company in Rotterdam with 250 employees. We have won the Rotterdam Entrepreneurship Award and are one of the top 200 largest family businesses in the Netherlands.
The Atmosphere
We pride ourselves on our flat and informal organization, which simply means that you can approach everyone quickly and easily. Our employees are ambitious people of all ages and nationalities, experienced professionals who know their craft like no other, who strive to be the best every day and who are happy to teach others. It means getting up in the early hours of the morning and working together towards the same goal, with fun in between, sometimes just to say what is on our minds, but always with respect for each other. In addition to work, we organize various activities where we can relax and have fun together. We also always look to the future and what can be done better or differently. Being innovative is part of our vision for the future. But we do not and cannot do this alone, we do it together with our employees who deliver a top product every day.
Our employees go for the best results every day.
Craftsmanship
We specialize in deboning and cutting of 'hindquarters'. A 'hindquarter' is the rear part of a cow. This is where the steak, tenderloin or rib eye comes from. We then supply the carefully selected, high quality beef to butchers, restaurants, retailers, wholesalers and meat producers in Europe and far beyond. We stand by the quality we promise and work professionally and responsibly every day. We ensure that everything is done in the most sustainable way possible, with the highest achievable food certifications (BRCGS and IFS) in our pocket.
If you want to eat meat, choose the better option; 'The Better Beef' from GOEDEGEBUUR.
Smaller footprint
We only process 100% European dual-purpose cows. Compared to other types of cows, dual-purpose cows have a smaller footprint. This is because only after these dual-purpose cows have given us a lifetime of wonderful dairy products do they end up giving us delicious quality meat. So we can offer the best quality beef and guarantee a smaller footprint. By sourcing our dual purpose cows in Europe, rather than importing them from distant continents, we also reduce the 'food miles' of our beef; fewer miles, less impact. Of course, the smallest footprint is to eat less or different meat, and we are taking this into account in our future plans. But if you want to eat meat, choose the better option, 'The Better Beef' from GOEDEGEBUUR, and you'll be fine.
Sustainability
We are constantly working to make the way we operate and produce more sustainable, and we are taking clear steps to further reduce the water and energy we use. We are also researching better, more environmentally friendly packaging and doing all we can to minimise waste in our processes. Our sustainability plans are not without obligation. We work with clearly measurable targets and communicate openly and honestly about the results we achieve. We have also engaged an external climate partner to monitor our results. But the challenge is to think ahead, as we have done for more than a hundred years, not by sitting still. In order to keep our world livable, we cannot avoid eating less meat or eating it in a different way. And we will actively contribute to this, without denying our history. We are motivated and open to new possibilities and have confidence in the future.
We are motivated and open to exploring new possibilities.
Charities
We have a long tradition of helping others. We regularly give our employees time off to volunteer, for example at the Food Bank in Rotterdam and since 2014, we have provided significant support to Unicef for all its good work. We contribute to other social initiatives such as supporting Sprinting Sophia, and the Friends of Sophia Foundation which are dedicated to providing the best care for sick children at Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital.
