News

The NPO is entering the final stage of its reorganisation by reducing its executive boards and director roles. Eleven employees will leave, bringing the total number of removed positions to 80 FTEs. The organisation expects the new structure to begin on 1 January 2027.

Motorcycle sales in the Netherlands rose sharply in the first half of the year, with both new and used markets performing strongly. Trade associations say the motorcycle is becoming more popular for commuting as well as leisure. The BMW R 1300 GS/Adventure led the sales rankings.

Dutch provinces say they support new rules that let them act faster when wolves pose a threat. Gelderland plans to prepare a standard permit, while stressing that any culling will still require case‑specific steps. Other provinces also welcome the change, even those without wolves.

Wibra achieved record turnover and rapid store expansion in 2025, driven by strong sales and new openings. The retailer continues to grow in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, supported by investments in logistics and sustainability. The company marks its 70th anniversary with confidence in further expansion.

Chris Figee will leave KPN later this year to take up a senior role at chip supplier ASMI. He will start with special projects before moving into the Chief Financial Officer position, pending shareholder approval in 2027. Current CFO Paul Verhagen plans to retire in May 2027.

Carbeau, a new spin-off from Avantium, focuses on converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals through electrochemistry. The company has raised €35.2 million and will be based at Amsterdam Science Park, with plans for a pilot plant in Delfzijl. The move strengthens efforts to use CO₂ as a sustainable feedstock.

The Dutch USAR search and rescue team has returned to Eindhoven after completing its earthquake response mission in Venezuela. Family members welcomed the team home after days spent searching for survivors alongside eight rescue dogs.

Education Minister Rianne Letschert has welcomed the government's plan to introduce a legally mandated internship allowance for vocational, professional, and university students, arguing that practical training deserves financial recognition. While the new legislation establishes the obligation to pay interns, it deliberately avoids setting a strict statutory minimum amount to prevent employers from cutting back on available placements, leaving sectors free to determine their own fair rates instead. Short-term placements and international internships will be exempt from the new rules, though Letschert warned that a legal minimum floor could still be introduced in the future if industry-set allowances remain too low.