With a background in aviation technology and a long-held ambition to start out for himself, Henkjan van der Zouw was gifted this opportunity by his former employer. It was in 1997 that ZME Fijnmechanisch Atelier finally got off the ground. Working from a garage with just a few basic machines, the intention was to expand the machining specialization. After two years, the situation started to get out of hand and the production facilities became too cramped to satisfy the growing demand. Investment in new machines for specialist work and a relocation to larger premises meant that ZME was able to compete as a serious player on the market for complex, high-precision engineering components.

It also marked the start of a mature family business. Rolenda always stood full square behind her husband, and daughter Nikki also developed a fascination for small-scale, high-precision machining. The growth which ZME underwent can primarily be put down to the unflagging efforts and expertise of Henkjan and the unwavering support of Rolenda, who took on responsibility for machine operation, especially in the early years. Nowadays, Henkjan likes to act as an expert mentor for trainees and other newcomers to the profession. Ultimately, the plan is for Nikki to take over the reins from her parents and ensure continued growth in the future. Nikki has taken up the challenge of combining customer contact with technical consultancy and performance activities. She offers guidance to customers in the start-up phase, in the evaluation of drawings, and provides advice about possible, desirable or cost-saving product improvements.