Interview with Mr. Ko van Amerongen founder of defKon Solutions

Mr. Ko van Amerongen founder of defKon Solutions, gave an exclusive interview to Epicos. Among others, he stated that: Dutch companies fairly new on the (defence) market may not only have a lack of knowledge of the market but certainly are without the necessary network.  What defKon Solutions can offer is know-how about what the defence market expects from a company in terms of quality, life time support, configuration management, reliability, etc., and maybe most important, contacts. 

Can you briefly describe the history of defKon Solutions?

defKon Solutions was founded in December 2014 by Ko van Amerongen, former Senior Offset & Industrial Participation (IP) Advisor NL Ministry of Economic Affairs/Commissariat Military Production (MEA/CMP).

Thanks to our extensive national and international network, which includes government entities and thanks to the experience we have accumulated in over 20 years of activity in the field, we are in the position to offer customised support and consultancy services to companies that are active in the Aerospace, Defence and Security  sectors. defKon Solutions’ network of business partners includes  Rexpand from Brussels, Belgium; Newland Hardwick Ltd from Bristol, UK; Corvitex from Raleigh, USA; and Obiewan from The Netherlands. Obiewan’s focus is change management, in private industry as well as in the Ministry of Defence.

What are the main services defKon Solutions provides?

 The services we provide are diversified and tailored on the needs each company may have.

Some examples of services we are in the position to offer are:

  • Open our network in support of companies active on the defence and security market.
  • Help local SMEs in their efforts to start or increase their business activities on the (global) defence market.
  • Assist companies during their campaign in establishing an IP programme that meets the requirements of the MEA/CMP by identifying the right IP projects and opportunities. 
  • Act as point of contact between Obligors and the NL MEA/CMP, local industry and the Defence Materiel Organization, respectively.
  • Act as country manager for Obligors, with prime focus on implementing IP programmes, including the administrative settlement of claiming IP projects.
  • Help Obligors that are falling behind in fulfilling their Offset & IP obligations in The Netherlands.
  • Assist foreign companies in their efforts to enter the Dutch defence market.

What kind of services can you provide to a company trying to establish an Industrial Participation (IP) programme in The Netherlands?

Since we are well aware of the requirements of the MEA/CMP, we are able to assist companies in drafting and presenting an IP programme that we know the MEA/CMP likes to see. In addition we can identify suppliers and partners in The Netherlands that meet Obligors’ requirements. Moreover we can help (potential) Obligors negotiating IP agreements with the MEA/CMP.

What kind of services can you provide to a local (Dutch) SME company?

Dutch companies fairly new on the (defence) market may not only have a lack of knowledge of the market but certainly are without the necessary network.  What defKon Solutions can offer is know-how about what the defence market expects from a company in terms of quality, life time support, configuration management, reliability, etc., and maybe most important, contacts. Price and performance are important, but the business is won by knowing the right people and in that respect we can introduce local SMEs to defence contractors, armed forces, MEA/CMP and more.

Your motto is “Connecting People Creating Business” can you please further explain it?

My international working experience made me realise that in business it is all about knowing people. The more connections you have, the larger is your audience, the more opportunities you get of making your business successful. defKon Solutions, through its national and international network supports companies in making the right connections and facilitates the interactions among them.

For Further Information Contact: 

Mr. Ko van Amerongen
E-mail: vanamerongen55@casema.nl
E-mail: vanamerongen55@gmail.com
Cell Phone: +31 643 500 506