KNAP Automation B.V.
KNAP Automation, founded in 2017 and established in Papendrecht for a year now..
It's an innovative company specializing in providing safety solutions to prevent entrapment. Its products are used on sliding gates, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), bread makers, vacuum sealers, and many other applications where entrapment is a potential hazard.
Yellow Safety B.V.
Yellow Safety was founded in 2019 with the goal of providing visible safety that is accessible to everyone. For example, Yellow Safety supplies Rescue Bags for mobile first responders, Safety Plates for construction sites, and Safety Cubes for buildings to a large dredging company.
In 2025, the Yellow Safety concept was adopted. Currently, the market repositioning is being finalized. For us, both companies and products belong together. Delivering quality and honoring agreements are paramount for both companies.
Why become an entrepreneur:
From a young age, I've toyed with the idea of starting my own business. My broad interests have given me the opportunity to take on various challenges and develop many new skills. From electrical installer to project manager, my experience in every role has provided me with valuable insights.
2016 was particularly intense, allowing me to combine all my acquired knowledge as a business leader. These experiences not only shaped me but also prepared me for the fantastic opportunities yet to come. In that respect, the past has prepared me well for the future, and I'm looking forward to taking my next step(s)!
When started and how:
After a year as a business manager, the entrepreneurial spirit started flowing again. In May 2017, I took the plunge and decided to choose my own path and start my own business. To this day, I haven't regretted it for a moment, although I have to admit that the first year was intense. The beauty of entrepreneurship is that you have complete control over your direction, but the downside is that you have to make all the decisions. I've since learned to see every problem as an opportunity for a solution. At the same time, I now realize that behind every solved problem, a new one often arises. But by continuing to think in possibilities and having faith in yourself, you always take that next step forward.
Someone recently said to me, "Your glass isn't just half full; it's constantly overflowing with ideas and energy." That energy and flow of ideas is precisely what keeps me going and what gives me strength every single day.
Are you happy with what you've achieved so far?
I always set the bar very high, but when I look back I am proud of what we have achieved.
We started out on our own in 2017, and then the company started growing. We added colleagues, customers, and products, and soon outgrew our current building. In 2024, we moved to a larger building with more facilities and acquired Yellow Safety. We've been around for over eight years now and hope for many more.
Do you have any tips for other entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself, listen to others but draw your own conclusions!
What else do you want to say?
Times are changing, but that also offers opportunities. On the one hand, the world is becoming tougher and targets are flying around every corner, but on the other hand, there are still plenty of parties willing to support each other and help each other along. As mentioned before, as an entrepreneur, you often have to make decisions "alone," but it helps if you can exchange ideas with other entrepreneurs. Sharing ideas in a pleasant environment and helping each other along is exactly what I experience at the BBN events. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely recommend attending.
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