The Netherlands
Tony’s Chocolonely
Known For: Chunky bars with a bold mission — making 100% slave-free chocolate the new norm.
Employees: Around 400 worldwide
Farming & Ethics: Tony’s is a pioneer in transparent cocoa sourcing. It partners directly with co-ops in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire and publishes annual impact reports. The brand leads industry efforts against child labor and modern slavery.
Karhu
Known for: Finnish performance and heritage running shoes, especially known for their Fulcrum technology.
Employees: Small team (exact count not public, under 100 estimated)
Manufacturing: Designed in Finland, manufactured in Asia.
Sustainability: Limited public data; emphasizes long-lasting design and quality as part of its sustainable values.
Gazelle
Known for: Dutch-style city and trekking e-bikes (comfortable everyday commuters).
Employees: Ca 550 employees. Assembled in: Dieren, Netherlands,
Motors & Batteries: Equipped with Bosch mid-drive motors and corresponding Bosch batteries.
Availibility: Through bike shops and Gazelle’s own Experience Centers; also available via official website in some regions.
https://www.gazellebikes.com
The Bastard
Known for: Kamado charcoal grills in various sizes and editions
Employees: ~45
Manufactured in: Designed in Netherlands, manufactured in China
Users say: Extremely popular in the Netherlands - it’s the market-leading kamado brand there. Users love its combination of premium quality and relatively accessible price
Krita
Features: Desktop raster editor for digital painting; Linux compatible
Pricing: Free (donation supported)
Our verdict: Excellent for artists; praised for brushes and stability; not ideal for photo editing
Interrail
The ultimate budget-friendly rail adventure. The Interrail Pass allows young travelers to explore 33 European countries with unlimited train travel for a fixed price. It’s one of the best ways for students to see a lot of Europe without breaking the bank.
https://www.interrail.eu
Center Parcs
Nature-focused holiday parks for families. With indoor water parks, adventure playgrounds, and scenic forests, Center Parcs is an amazing getaway for families seeking a mix of relaxation and outdoor fun.
https://www.centerparcs.eu
Withlocals
Withlocals connects travelers with local hosts for private, personalized tours and experiences around the world. Travelers can book unique activities, like food tours, city walks, or cultural workshops which are led by locals who share their personal stories and insider tips.
https://www.withlocals.com/
Hellmann’s
Made in: Unilever facilities (Netherlands, UK, Poland, Spain).
Sales: Not widely reported, but a growing competitor to Heinz in Europe.
Key markets: UK, Netherlands, France, Germany.
Description: A clean-label alternative to Heinz, with honey or sugar instead of corn syrup.
Our verdict: 👍👍 Great taste — but no organic option, and the blue plastic packaging is a bit off-putting
Unilever
Known for: Dove, Axe, Sunsilk, Pond’s
Employees: ~128,000
Manufactured in: 90+ countries
Sustainability: Net-zero by 2039, renewable energy targets
Koga
Known for: High-end touring and commuter e-bikes, handcrafted with attention to detail.
Assembly Location: Assembled in the Netherlands.
Motors & Batteries: Primarily utilizes Bosch eBike Systems.
Availability: Sold through authorized dealers; no direct online sales.
Ahold Delhaize
Known for: Albert Heijn, Delhaize, Albert, Maxi, Mega Image, Alfa-Beta
Employees: ~414,000
Available in: Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Romania, Czech Republic, Serbia, Luxembourg
Controversies: Worker strikes in Belgium over store franchising
Spar
Known for: SPAR, Eurospar, Interspar — franchise model
Employees: ~300,000
Available in: Most EU countries including Austria, Italy (Despar), Norway, Poland
Controversies: Continued brand presence in Russia via independent licensee