1938
Passion
Our company’s story began around the same time as a legendary chapter in tech history in Palo Alto, California. In 1939, from a small garage, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded Hewlett-Packard (HP) – a moment often regarded as the birth of Silicon Valley. Their first major breakthrough came when they supplied an oscillator to Walt Disney Studios, laying the groundwork for their future global success.
At the same time in the Netherlands, Cornelis Nicolaas Rood was working to make his passion for electronics his business, and decided in the 1950’s to introduce the Hewlett & Packard equipment to the Dutch market. CN Rood was also a great music lover. For that reason, he launched his own record label, which still exists today under the name CNR Records.
1960
Multi talent
Mr. Rood can rightly be described as a multi-talent, characterized by its deep roots in modern electronics. Over the years, the company expanded its activities, consistently focused on the distribution of test instruments and components.
In 1963, C.N. Rood took a significant step by establishing a subsidiary in Belgium, enabling it to serve the entire Benelux region more effectively.
During the 1980s, the company’s test and measurement equipment division was acquired by the Phoenix Megatronica Group, initiating a period of substantial growth. It was around this time that Ivo Kauffmann, later CEO, joined the organization as a sales representative in the Belgian office. Reflecting on this period, Kauffmann noted, “We worked closely as Dutch and Belgian representatives, maintaining our independence while building a solid foundation for the company as it stands today.”
2012
Smart Minds
Stability and continuity are of vital importance for us. That applies for both our business relations and our employees. It is important to have a loyal team of employees, who can each contribute towards the business and its customers with their own technical expertise. Commitment is a key term in this, and fortunately, there are many people who stay and work for us for a long time. Such a close team has many advantages.
In 2012, when the opportunity arose to buy the business as a group of employees, the decision was clear. We invited everyone to participate, and nearly half of our team chose to become shareholders reinforcing our commitment to a shared, employee-driven future.
2015
New Markets
The acquisition of T&M Systems (2015), ABtronix (2022) and Havé (2024) made us the largest independent supplier of testing and measuring equipment in the Benelux and gave us access to new markets. In 2017 we made the the leap into the Nordics and in 2022 into the Baltics. Via local presence in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania we are offering a wide range of brands.
As a trusted technical partner, our goal is to consistently provide our customers with added value. This includes exceptional service and personalized support, as well as opportunities like hands-on equipment trials. We believe that working together to identify the most suitable solutions is essential, especially given the significant investments often required for high-quality equipment. Testing in real-world conditions helps ensure that the chosen technology precisely meets your needs.
2019
Leadership
In 2019, Benny Polleunis was appointed CEO of C.N. Rood, bringing industry experience and a strategic vision aimed at driving the company’s continued growth. Recognized for his leadership, Polleunis has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s market footprint and reinforcing its reputation as a trusted provider of advanced test and measurement solutions across the Benelux and Nordic regions.
With a strong commitment to innovation and customer-focused solutions, Benny has guided C.N. Rood through years of rapid technological change, ensuring that the company remains a valuable technical partner to its clients. Under his leadership, the company has continued to evolve, offering cutting-edge solutions that empower engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of modern electronics.