Philip van Coevorden

Philip van Coevorden is a Dutch entrepreneur and co-founder of Managementboek.nl, one of the largest online bookstores specializing in management and business books in the Netherlands.12 He established the company in 1995 along with his business partner and former university classmate, Kees Visser.12

Background and Early Career

Philip van Coevorden's journey into the book industry began during his university years. As a business administration student in Groningen, he worked on the production of a publication called "Bedrijfskundige Berichten" (Business Reports) while his partner Kees Visser served as a writer and editor-in-chief.1

Founding of Managementboek.nl

In 1995, van Coevorden and Visser founded Managementboek with an initial investment of 75,000 Dutch guilders from publishing house Scriptum.1 The company started on the attic (and a damp cellar) of Scriptum's office in Schiedam.1 Their initial business model involved publishing a paper newspaper called "Manager & Literatuur" (Manager & Literature), which served as both a showcase and sales medium for management books.1

Growth and Innovation

Managementboek experienced significant growth with the advent of the internet. The company's website, Managementboek.nl, became a turning point for their business.2 Van Coevorden and his team have consistently worked on expanding the niche market of management books, particularly by producing enriching content around their product range.1

Business Expansion

Under van Coevorden's leadership, Managementboek has expanded its operations:

1. The company acquired Jongbloed, a renowned legal bookstore, which helped them enter the business-to-business market and government tenders.1
2. They now supply books to all Dutch ministries, which has significantly boosted their turnover.1

Impact on the Industry

Van Coevorden believes that Managementboek has played a crucial role in establishing the management book segment in the Netherlands. He cites as evidence that Bol.com, a major online retailer, changed its "business books" category to "management books".1

As the owner of Managementboek.nl, Philip van Coevorden continues to lead the company's growth and innovation in the specialized book retail sector.3