All Bell ceremonies

ACTIAM investment expert

Winner ACTIAM investment expert opens trading

The winner of the ACTIAM investment expert poll opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange by sounding the gong.

Every year asset manager ACTIAM asks more than hundred investment professionals for their expectations of the best and least performing stock in the coming year. Besides that, the participants are asked for their vision on index level. The best investment professional receives the price for best investment professional.

The 2015 winner of the ACTIAM investment expert poll is Jacob Jurg, fund manager at hedge fund Tradewind Capital. His picks were TNT Express +41 % and Delta Lloyd -68%. These were the best of all participating experts.

For more information: www.actiam.nl

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AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel sounds gong to celebrate new AkzoNobel Center and Art Space

Piet Schalkwijk, AkzoNobel’s Corporate Director Special Projects and Hester Alberdingk Thijm, Director of the AkzoNobel Art Foundation, sound the gong at the Amsterdam exchange to celebrate the new AkzoNobel Center including the upcoming opening of the AkzoNobel Art Space at the Amsterdam Zuidas.

“We are very proud of the new AkzoNobel Center,” said Piet Schalkwijk. “The new building really reflects the type of company we are, not only with sustainability as a leading theme, but also because our own products are used throughout the entire building, internally and externally. The building is carbon neutral and the combined energy from the solar panels on the roof and the thermal storage is complemented by wind power.”

The AkzoNobel Art Space will be open to the public from January 28. “The Art Space is a meeting place for everyone“, said Hester Alberdingk Thijm. “In this dynamic exhibition space we present our collection of international contemporary art. This year the AkzoNobel Art Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary. The first exhibition is Culture of Colors, where color is a common element that will be explored in various cabinets and corners of the Art Space.”

AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. Calling on centuries of expertise, they supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and sustainable technologies designed to meet the growing demands of their fast-changing planet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, they have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while their portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka.

For more information: www.akzonobel.com

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For Tomorrow

For Tomorrow celebrates five-year jubilee

The mutual fund division of Today’s Group, For Tomorrow, celebrates its five year jubilee by opening the Amsterdam exchange. Together with his team, CEO Cees Smit sounds the gong.  

For Tomorrow has a variety of funds in order to offer its clients a fund that matches their investment goals. Those goals are not only pensions, but also for smaller goals. Because the investments are made concrete, more appropriate fund or portfolio profiles are selected in order to achieve the target.

Cees Smit: “With our proactive approach and due to the low interest on savings, we are the alternative for savings. Investing in a mutual fund at For Tomorrow is a protective way of investing and because of the volatile market, protected investing is essential.”

For more information: www.fortomorrow.nl

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R&S Retail

R&S Retail celebrates listing on Euronext Amsterdam

EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary dedicated to promoting and growing its SME market, welcomes R&S Retail Group (ticker symbol: RNS) on the Amsterdam market of Euronext. The company celebrates its listing on Euronext Amsterdam by sounding the gong.

R&S Retail Group acquires retail and fashion companies and creates value by optimizing the business processes, making use of the synergy and putting emphasis on the omnichannel approach. R&S Retail Group sees this tumultuous market with changing consumer behavior, the further shift to the online market and the delayed reaction of existing players as a challenging environment to grow. R&S Retail Group is owner of the Dutch retail brand Miss Etam.

For more information: missetam.nl

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Best Product of the Year

Winner Best Product of the Year Hertog Jan Pils opens trading

Last month, the winners of the second edition of the consumer awards  ‘Best Product of the Year Netherlands’ were announced. Hertog Jan Pils, produced Euronext Brussels listed AB InBev (ticker symbol: ABI), won the title of Best Product of the Year 2015-2016. In honor of achieving this price AB InBev opens trading at Beursplein 5.

The annual contest is organized by Q&A Research & Consultancy in close collaboration with Consumer Contest Company. The purpose of this election is to provide positive media attention to consumer products. In addition, the research gives insights into the desires and opinions about products of consumers. Hertog Jan as overall winner Best Product means that the product has scored the highest average score of all category winners.

For more information: www.besteproductvanhetjaar.nl

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Amsterdammertje van het Jaar

Amsterdammertje van het Jaar visits Beursplein 5

The Stadmakertjes Foundation (‘little citymakers’) has organized the junior election ‘Amsterdammertje van het Jaar’ for the fourth time. The city of Amsterdam and Rabobank support the initiative. In the last couple of months, everyone in Amsterdam could nominate his or her little hero, in the ages of 8 to 15 years. A jury chose the top 10 and the winner. The most important selection criterion: the winner should be someone who works selflessly on behalf of the cause, and has to set an example for others. 

Toby Pérez Riquelme sounds the gong. He decided he could do something, even as a young kid. With the Amsterdam Welcome Refugees-group, he started picking up refugees from Central Station, and bringing them to new clothes and to their night shelter. He is by far the youngest in the team, and he puts in long hours.

For more information: www.stadmakertjes.nl

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AFM

AFM Executive Board member Gerben Everts opens Amsterdam exchange

Gerben Everts, member of the Executive Board at the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets, opens the Amsterdam exchange. With the sounding of the gong AFM highlights their 2016-2018 agenda which will be published later this month.

As an independent market conduct authority, the AFM contributes to a sustainable financial system and prosperity in the Netherlands. Since 2011, Everts is a member of the Executive Board. His main areas of responsibility are: supervision on securities markets, asset managers and accountant organizations, financial infrastructure, corporate governance, financial reporting and auditing. 

The reason for his visit to Beursplein 5 is the AFM agenda 2016-2018. Due to social and technological developments, financial markets are continuously evolving. With the new agenda, the AFM wants to react timely on the most important developments in the financial markets with, for example, data-driven supervision. By doing so, the AFM aims to remain a pioneering supervisor both in and outside the Netherlands.  

For more information: www.afm.nl

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Voordegroei

Voordegroei opens trading

Growth companies in search of funding have access to Voordegroei, a Dutch online investment platform founded by a group of investment industry professionals. Managing Partner Bart Vemer sounds the gong.

Voordegroei was established in order to efficiently connect growth businesses and wealthy individuals and thereby get the billions of stagnant euros in The Netherlands in motion. Voordegroei was founded by Bart Vemer, Vera van Kesteren and Ivo Feeke. They come from BNP Paribas Investment Partners with a history in asset management and private banking. They have teamed up with crowd funding- and finance specialist Pim Betist of Ripplestarters. With Voordegroei they mark a new phase in the professionalization of the crowd funding market in the Netherlands.

Voordegroei is an online investment platform for the top segment of SMEs, bringing together entrepreneurs and investors. Voordegroei evaluates the loan application, handles the financial screening and assesses the growth strategy of the SME. Voordegroei stands for innovation, commitment and expertise. The team has many years of experience in asset management and was at the foundation of crowd funding in the Netherlands.

For more information: www.voordegroei.nl

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Drone Volt

EnterNext welcomes Drone Volt on Alternext Paris

Dimitri Batsis, Chairman of Drone Volt, rings the bell to mark the closing of the European trading day in Paris.

Drone Volt specializes in the design, assembly and marketing of remote controlled terrestrial and aerial drones for the sectors of media (essentially TV channels broadcasting), security and surveillance, transportation, agriculture and topography. The group also provides training and technical assistance services.

IMC Weekend School

IMC Weekend School celebrates 10th anniversary

IMC Weekend School sounds the gong to celebrate the 10th anniversary of four IMC Weekend School branches. Currently, there are ten IMC Weekend Schools in the Netherlands where students get the chance to broaden their perspectives and develop their talents.

IMC Weekend School provides supplementary education for motivated children aged ten to fourteen from underprivileged neighborhoods. The objective is to improve the future prospects for the students by offering them an inspiring glimpse into numerous disciplines such as business, medicine, astronomy and art. Volunteer experts serve as guest teachers. Students come into contact with a broad group of professionals who share their knowledge and skills while working together with the students.

For more information: www.imcweekendschool.nl

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Immersion

EnterNext welcomes Immersion on Alternext Paris

Christophe Chartier, CEO of Immersion, rings the bell to mark the closing of the European trading day in Paris.

Immersion is a European leader in the development of virtual reality, visual simulation, immersive and collaborative 3D technologies for companies operating in the industry and research sectors. The group designs and integrates high-end display and interaction systems including digital templates and virtual prototypes, allowing users to test a greater number of hypotheses, accelerate design cycle, collaborate, make decision in real time and perform a simulation to better evaluate issues.

Oyens & Van Eeghen

Oyens & Van Eeghen celebrates acquisition by Delen Private Bank

In honor of the acquisition by Bank Delen Private Bank, Oyens & Van Eeghen opens trading at Beursplein 5. CEO Pim Baljet sounds the gong. Delen Private Bank is part of the Euronext Brussels listed Ackermans en Van Haren (ticker symbol: ACKB).

Delen Private Bank reached an agreement with the shareholders and Board of Oyens & Van Eeghen to acquire all the shares of one of oldest independent Dutch financial institutions in July 2015. Delen Private Bank, thereby strengthens its presence in the Benelux and creates a group of asset managers active in the Benelux and the United Kingdom with total assets under management of approximately EUR 37 billion. January marks the launch of the joint approach of the Dutch market.

Delen Private Bank has gained experience in the development of its successful advisory model in the field of financial planning, structuring capital and asset management over the past decades. Oyens & Van Eeghen in recent years has increasingly focused on the segment of specialized asset management and fiduciary advisory services for private and institutional investors. Thanks to the acquisition by partner Delen Private Bank, Oyens & Van Eeghen can now offer a solution for every target audience of every size. It offers return for any capital size with the power of simplicity and efficiency.

For more information: www.oyens.com

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Fintessa

Fintessa visits Beursplein 5

Fintessa marks the new year with a visit to Beursplein 5. General manager Martine Hafkamp sounds the gong at the Amsterdam exchange.

Fintessa is an autonomous and independent asset management company and offers customized asset management for assets starting at € 100,000. Asset management is an extension of each individual situation, whether as an individual or institution and is the basis of wealth preservation or capital appreciation. That is being translated into a custom risk profile and investment portfolio. Fintessa expressly does not work with their own products, so that objectivity is always guaranteed.

For more information: www.fintessa.nl

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Dutch IR Awards

Winners of the Dutch IR Awards visit Beursplein 5

The winners of the Dutch IR Awards pay a visit to Beursplein 5 to sound the gong.

The Dutch Association of Investor Relations (NEVIR) presents the awards to Dutch companies and professionals who excel in investor relations. Winners are announced in the presence of more than 200 professionals during the Dutch IR Awards Dinner. The NEVIR represents the interests of its members. The vast majority of professional investor relations officers in the Netherlands is affiliated with the NEVIR; more than 95% of the AEX companies; nearly 60% of the AMX companies and 25% of other companies listed on Euronext Amsterdam.NEVIR was founded in 1991 and celebrates its 25-year-anniversary this year. 

For more information: www.nevir.nl

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Solvay

Solvay raises € 1.5 billion on Euronext Brussels

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay, rang the Euronext closing bell on Thursday 7 January 2016. The management team of the worldwide chemical and advanced materials Group was in Brussels to celebrate the successful capital increase carried out a few weeks previously in order to complete the financing of the acquisition of Cytec. This transaction is Solvay’s first capital increase since its listing on the Stock Exchange in 1967.

JOGG

Young People at a Healthy Weight sounds the gong

Young People at a Healthy Weight (Jongeren Op Gezond Gewicht JOGG) open trading to focus attention on healthy New Year’s resolutions. Ambassador Erben Wennemars sounds the gong in the company of the JOGG-board, aldermen, business partners, neighbourhood sports coaches and Young People at a Healthy Weight’s national ambassadors Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje and Juvat Westendorp.

Using the JOGG-approach, over 100 JOGG-municipalities are now working year-round at providing today's youth with a healthier environment to stick to those Healthy New Year’s resolutions. They are working together with existing local initiatives, entrepreneurs and various other parties. Schools and sports canteens receive help and encouragement on offering healthy choices in their canteens. And to ensure it meets their needs, JOGG-municipalities are also taking a closer look at the care available for overweight and obese children. All of these efforts, along with intelligent social marketing, are geared towards tempting parents and children to drink more water, to get more exercise and to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

At the gong, aldermen for Dordrecht and Purmerend were present, as well as neighbourhood sports coaches from Purmerend and Harderwijk. For 2015, these municipalities already showed excellent results. Since the JOGG-approach was first implemented, the number of overweight children in Dordrecht-West has declined by 20 %. Compared to 2011, the number of overweight 4-, 5- and 10-year-olds in the Purmerend JOGG-neighbourhoods has declined as well.

For more information: www.jongerenopgezondgewicht.nl

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DBT

Listing on Alternext of DBT

Hervé Borgoltz, Chairman of DBT, closes the European trading day in Paris.

DBT (Douaisienne de Basse Tension) specializes in the production and marketing of access control and energy distribution terminals. The company’s activity is split into 4 product families:

• electric vehicle charging stations and cabinets;
• retractable bollards and systems for access control and deterrence: designed to manage and regulate car flows in cities and ensure unimpeded movement of pedestrians;
• energy distribution terminals: designed for the electrification of public spaces (market places, reception areas, port areas, camp sites, etc.);
• current transformers: instrument transformers designed for metering of EDF yellow and green rates.

Philips Innovation Award

Philips Innovation Award open trading

The Board of the Philips Innovation Award opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange by sounding the gong. This gong marks the 11th edition of the largest student entrepreneur award in the Netherlands. The Board is accompanied by Daan van Manen, responsible for the historical bifurcation of Philips. Pearltect, Printr and Blue Battery, three of the finalists of the 10th edition of the Award, also accompany the board.

The Philips Innovation Award, part of the Euronext Amsterdam listed Philips (ticker symbol: PHIA), consists of four Stages (the Idea Stage, Developing Stage, Refining Stage and Final Stage). The feedback, training and coaching will intensify each Stage. Participants can currently enroll for the Developing Stage. In addition, the sounding of the gong marks the continuous growth of the Award, since a record amount of more than 300 student-entrepreneurs are already participating in the platform this year.

The prize worth €50.000 will be awarded to the student with the most innovative and promising plan. The jury, presided over by CEO of Philips, Frans van Houten, takes (among other criteria) the impact, sustainability and feasibility of the plans into account. The prize consists of cash and a toolkit of products and services that gives the student-entrepreneurs a kick start.

For more information: www.phia.nl

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