In the 19th and 20th century factories were flourishing in the northern part of the Netherlands; Groningen to be exact. The Industrial Revolution began a century later than in Great Britain because the successful East Indian Company. One of the branches of industry that finally found a footing in the Netherlands was strawboard, like they made in this factory. They named this factory the “Toekomst” (which is Dutch for the “Future”).

From 1900 to 1968 the Future offered work for several hundreds of workers. It was the largest strawboard factory in the Netherlands. The working conditions must have been very good. In fact, the factory was unique in that the workers never went on strike. The north-eastern part of Groningen was socialist, but the workers in the Future were very religious, and thus very loyal.

Because the Future was very successful, more and more farmers joined the corporation and provided for the straw needed for production. It also remained successful when times were bad for other factories because of British clients. The quality was very high because of the straw they used.

This eventually became the downfall of the Future. Grey board was in its upcoming: it was cheaper, of even better quality and was less polluting. Because the corporation was invested by the farmers who provided with the straw, they didn’t make the transition to grey board. Later on they didn’t have any choice, but by then it was too late and the Future had to close in 1968.

In the 1970s more and more factories closed down or moved to (former) developing countries, where resources, land and labour were cheaper. Large unemployment followed throughout the Netherlands, but struck hardest in Groningen. These days north-east Groningen has one of the highest unemployment in the European Union, but doesn’t get financial help because of the gas fields in that area. The gas fields make a lot of profit, but few people are needed because everything is automated. While on paper it seems enough money is earned in that area the reality is quite different.

Since 1968 has deteriorated more and more, until it was in a state of ruin. The factory is now on the list of protected heritage. For years there have been plans to restore the Factory to some of its old prime. In 2009 there was a billboard next to the road indicating the plans were progressing. The text on the billboard says:

“We are building the Future”