Sugar Factory Zeeland

== Coöperatieve Beetwortelsuikerfabriek Zeeland ==

== Coöperatieve Beetwortelsuikerfabriek Zeeland ==

In September 1913 the ''Coöperatieve Beetwortelsuikerfabriek Zeeland'' (Cooperative Beetsugar Factory Zeeland) was founded in Middelburg.{{sfn|Nederlandsche Staatscourant 24 September|1913}} The idea was that it would give Zeeland farmers a better price for their sugar beet. However, it struggled to set up a business, because the price for a new factory was high. The cooperative got an opportunity, when during World War I, the government put a maximum on the amount of beets that each sugar factory was allowed to process.{{sfn|Fabriekofiel, Bergen op Zoom|2023}} In August 1916 the cooperative bought the Bergen op Zoom factory for 1,160,000 guilders. It made a 5-year contract with the [[Wester Suikerraffinaderij]] to process the raw sugar that it would produce.{{sfn|''Algemeen Handelsblad 29 August''|1916}}

In September 1913 the ''Coöperatieve Beetwortelsuikerfabriek Zeeland'' (Cooperative Beetsugar Factory Zeeland) was founded in Middelburg.{{sfn|Nederlandsche Staatscourant 24 September|1913}} The idea was that it would give Zeeland farmers a better price for their sugar beet. However, it struggled to set up a business, because the price for a new factory was high. The cooperative got an opportunity, when during [[World War I]], the government put a maximum on the amount of beets that each sugar factory was allowed to process.{{sfn|Fabriekofiel, Bergen op Zoom|2023}} In August 1916 the cooperative bought the Bergen op Zoom factory for 1,160,000 guilders. It made a 5-year contract with the [[Wester Suikerraffinaderij]] to process the raw sugar that it would produce.{{sfn|''Algemeen Handelsblad 29 August''|1916}}

Sugar Factory Zeeland started its first campaign on 9 October 1917. As sugar prices rose, the company became very profitable. It therefore decided to invest in a massive expansion. In 1920 a 34 [[hectare]] stretch of land was bought in the Geertruida polder. This was on the [[Oosterschelde]], west of the city center on what is now the Markiezaatsweg. In 1921 the company decided to borrow 700,000 guilders for further investments.{{sfn|De Telegraaf 9 July|1921}}

Sugar Factory Zeeland started its first campaign on 9 October 1917. As sugar prices rose, the company became very profitable. It therefore decided to invest in a massive expansion. In 1920 a 34 [[hectare]] stretch of land was bought in the Geertruida [[polder]]. This was on the [[Oosterschelde]], west of the city center on what is now the Markiezaatsweg. In 1921 the company decided to borrow 700,000 guilders for further investments.{{sfn|De Telegraaf 9 July|1921}}

In 1920-1921 an annex to the factory was built for the first steps of the sugar production process. It had open air storage areas which declined towards gutters, so called {{lang|nl|gorren}}. Cranes unloaded the boats directly onto these gorren, from where the beet were washed to the first factory hall. The same applied to beet brought by rail or wagon. This eliminated almost all manual labor in this step.{{sfn|De Amstelbode 9 October|1921}} The first of three new halls served for the washing, slicing and diffusion steps of the process. A smaller hall between the first and the third contained the engine room and a storage for pulp. The third hall contained centrifuges to dry the pulp, which became cattle fodder. It also contained machinery to clear the juice. The end product of this part of the factory was thin juice, which was transported to the old factory on the Wittoucksingel by a large [[pipe (fluid conveyance)|pipe]]. The evaporators, pans and centrifuges of the later stages of the process remained in the old factory.{{sfn|Fabriekofiel, Bergen op Zoom|2023}} All this made that the new complex resembled a [[râperie]].

In 1920-1921 an annex to the factory was built for the first steps of the sugar production process. It had open air storage areas which declined towards gutters, so called {{lang|nl|gorren}}. Cranes unloaded the boats directly onto these gorren, from where the beet were washed to the first factory hall. The same applied to beet brought by rail or wagon. This eliminated almost all manual labor in this step.{{sfn|De Amstelbode 9 October|1921}} The first of three new halls served for the washing, slicing and diffusion steps of the process. A smaller hall between the first and the third contained the engine room and a storage for pulp. The third hall contained centrifuges to dry the pulp, which became cattle fodder. It also contained machinery to clear the juice. The end product of this part of the factory was thin juice, which was transported to the old factory on the Wittoucksingel by a large [[pipe (fluid conveyance)|pipe]]. The evaporators, pans and centrifuges of the later stages of the process remained in the old factory.{{sfn|Fabriekofiel, Bergen op Zoom|2023}} All this made that the new complex resembled a [[râperie]].

The annual report over 1924 was nevertheless quite positive. The campaign of that year had processed 166,000 tonnes of beet. Attempts were made to get part of the Zeeland production refined in [[Dinteloord]].{{sfn|Middelburgsche courant 26 May|1925}} In the 1925 campaign 160,000 tonnes were processed. About one-third of the production was white sugar, thanks to an investment in refining equipment. The low market prices made that the financial result was not satisfactory.{{sfn|De Maasbode 10 June|1926}} In 1926-27 180,000 tonnes were processed. Almost half of the sugar production was white sugar, but profit was marginal.{{sfn|Algemeen Handelsblad 29 July|1927}} In 1927-1928 the company processed only 143,000 tonnes, which had a negative effect on profit.{{sfn|De Maasbode 6 July|1928}} In 1928/29 155,000 tonnes of beet were processed.{{sfn|De Grondwet 11 December|1928}}

The annual report over 1924 was nevertheless quite positive. The campaign of that year had processed 166,000 tonnes of beet. Attempts were made to get part of the Zeeland production refined in [[Dinteloord]].{{sfn|Middelburgsche courant 26 May|1925}} In the 1925 campaign 160,000 tonnes were processed. About one-third of the production was white sugar, thanks to an investment in refining equipment. The low market prices made that the financial result was not satisfactory.{{sfn|De Maasbode 10 June|1926}} In 1926-27 180,000 tonnes were processed. Almost half of the sugar production was white sugar, but profit was marginal.{{sfn|Algemeen Handelsblad 29 July|1927}} In 1927-1928 the company processed only 143,000 tonnes, which had a negative effect on profit.{{sfn|De Maasbode 6 July|1928}} In 1928/29 155,000 tonnes of beet were processed.{{sfn|De Grondwet 11 December|1928}}

The price the company paid for beet in 1928 was lower than what other cooperatives paid. In March 1929 the Zeeland cooperative therefore decided that the beets which it had promised to buy for the 1929/30 campaign would be processed in Dinteloord and Zevenbergen. The price would be 3 guilders higher than that which Dinteloord paid her own members, thus compensating the members of the Zeeland cooperative for the cost of not using their factory.{{sfn|N.R.C. 29 March|1929}} The attempt to coordinate with Dinteloord and Zevenbergen nevertheless failed. In September 1929 the cooperative therefore appointed a commission that would have to sell the sugar factory.{{sfn|De Amsterdammer 2 September|1929}}

The price the company paid for beet in 1928 was lower than what other cooperatives paid. In March 1929 the Zeeland cooperative therefore decided that the beets which it had promised to buy for the 1929/30 campaign would be processed in Dinteloord and [[Zevenbergen]]. The price would be 3 guilders higher than that which Dinteloord paid her own members, thus compensating the members of the Zeeland cooperative for the cost of not using their factory.{{sfn|N.R.C. 29 March|1929}} The attempt to coordinate with Dinteloord and Zevenbergen nevertheless failed. In September 1929 the cooperative therefore appointed a commission that would have to sell the sugar factory.{{sfn|De Amsterdammer 2 September|1929}}

On 17 March 1930 the cooperative decided to sell the factory and other assets to the [[Corbion|Centrale Suiker Maatschappij]], the partnership in Dinteloord, and the cooperative in Puttershoek, for 750,000 guilders. The members of the Zeeland Cooperative would have to deposit 300 guilders per share for the liquidation. They could diminish this by contracting to deliver to the buyers in the future.{{sfn|Haagsche courant 18 March 1930|1930}} The short explanation for the required deposit is that the cooperative was in debt for a few million, mainly invested in buildings and machinery. These debts now had to be repaid, and 750,000 guilders fell far short of this amount.

On 17 March 1930 the cooperative decided to sell the factory and other assets to the [[Corbion|Centrale Suiker Maatschappij]], the partnership in Dinteloord, and the cooperative in Puttershoek, for 750,000 guilders. The members of the Zeeland Cooperative would have to deposit 300 guilders per share for the liquidation. They could diminish this by contracting to deliver to the buyers in the future.{{sfn|Haagsche courant 18 March 1930|1930}} The short explanation for the required deposit is that the cooperative was in debt for a few million, mainly invested in buildings and machinery. These debts now had to be repaid, and 750,000 guilders fell far short of this amount.