Lankhorst

What Lankhorst does

Lankhorst Ropes is a Dutch manufacturer of synthetic fibre and steel wire ropes for the global maritime and offshore industries, tracing its origins to a ropery and sailmaker's loft established in 1751 in Sneek, The Netherlands and operating under the Lankhorst name since 1803. The company designs and produces high-performance ropes used in mooring, towing, hoisting, luffing, and heavy lift applications, organised under three branded product families: TIPTO® ('Strong & Durable'), EUROFLEX® ('Strong & Stretch'), and LANKO® ('Strong & Light', including LANKO®FORCE made with Dyneema® UHMWPE/HMPE fibre). Supporting product lines include STRONGLINE™ for towing, DEFENDER® protective sleeves, Lanko®nect connection systems, and LANKO®FORCE HL heavy lift slings achieving breaking loads up to 8,500 tonnes. The company is wholly owned by WireCo WorldGroup Inc. (Kansas City, USA), which acquired Royal Lankhorst Euronete Group in 2012 and operates nearly 4,000 employees globally across rope, wire, and engineered products brands. Lankhorst itself operates manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, Portugal, France, and Brazil, plus sales offices and representative offices in the USA, Spain, Australia, Dubai, and Beijing.

The company's underlying technology combines in-house yarn extrusion (since 1964) with proprietary rope construction techniques, producing ropes certified to OCIMF MEG4, ISO 9001:2015, DNV-GL type approval, and DNVGL-OS-E303 standards. Differentiated features include anti-snap-back designs (A3 splice, TIPTO®WINCHLINE), full traceability via unique Product Identification Codes, GAMA98® Dyneema rope up to 300mm diameter, and integrated protective accessories. Manufacturing and material science R&D is supported by dedicated in-house testing facilities capable of loads up to 1,200 tonnes, with a long-standing raw material supply partnership with DSM Dyneema (now Avient).

Lankhorst generates revenue through direct sale of rope products and accessories to enterprise maritime and offshore customers worldwide, with bespoke contact-based pricing tailored to vessel type, application, and volume. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales organised by market segment (Dry Cargo, Wet Cargo, Cruise, Towage & Salvage, Heavy Lift, Inland Shipping, Dredging, EPCI Contractors), executed through regional sales offices, a worldwide stock point network at strategic ports, authorised distributors (e.g., Technava in Greece), and a dedicated confectioning centre for tailor-made solutions. The company's Through Life For Life service model bundles testing, certification, training (Lankhorst Academy), and end-of-life recycling into a recurring relationship around its installed base, supporting a consumable replacement revenue stream anchored to vessel fleets and offshore installations.

Name

Lankhorst

Legal name

Royal Lankhorst Euronete Group

Website

https://lankhorstropes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1751

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Lankhorst Ropes is a Dutch manufacturer of synthetic fibre (Dyneema/HMPE) and steel wire ropes for maritime mooring, towing, hoisting, and heavy lift applications, serving enterprise shipping, offshore, and dredging customers worldwide. It operates as a wholly-owned brand of WireCo WorldGroup, with manufacturing in the Netherlands, Portugal, France, and Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine and offshore ropes

NAICS

Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills (314994), Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lifting Accessories & Rigging (Slings, Shackles, Hooks, Spreaders) (IMAHAJAI)

Keywords

• Synthetic fibre ropes
• Steel wire ropes
• Marine mooring systems
• Offshore lifting slings
• Maritime rope manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sneek

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Synthetic and steel wire rope product sales: Lankhorst Ropes generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of synthetic fibre ropes (Dyneema, HMPE, polyester) and steel wire ropes for mooring, towing, hoisting, luffing, and heavy lift applications. Products include branded families TIPTO®, EUROFLEX®, LANKO®FORCE, STRONGLINE™, as well as accessories, slings, and hardware. Sales are conducted through direct global sales offices and stock points worldwide.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lankhorst Ropes manufactures and sells high-performance synthetic fibre ropes (Dyneema/UHMWPE, HMPE, polyester) and steel wire ropes for maritime mooring, towing, hoisting, luffing and heavy-lift applications. It supplies branded rope families (LANKO®FORCE, TIPTO®, EUROFLEX®, STRONGLINE™), engineered synthetic lifting slings, protective sleeves, rope connection systems and related hardware, backed by installation, inspection, testing, training and recycling services for shipping companies, offshore contractors, tug operators and other maritime end users.

Product overview

Lankhorst Ropes is a world-leading supplier of synthetic fibre and steel wire ropes for the maritime and offshore industries, with over 200 years of experience (established 1803). The company operates as part of WireCo WorldGroup and offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into three main product categories: synthetic fibre ropes (including LANKO®FORCE made with Dyneema®, TIPTO®EIGHT, EUROFLEX®, Strongline™, eurofloat®Premium, GRIPOGREEN®), steel wire ropes (LANKO®FOUR, LANKO®PACK, LANKO®TOP COMPACTED, LANKO®FLEX), and related accessories (Defender® protective sleeves, Lanko®nect connections, Lankoloop, thimbles, shackles, mooring links, fenders, repair sets). Their products serve multiple maritime market segments including Dry Cargo, Wet Cargo, Cruise, Towage & Salvage, Heavy Lift, Inland Shipping, Dredging, and EPCI Contractors. Lankhorst also offers engineered lifting solutions with high-capacity fibre rope slings for offshore applications, achieving breaking loads up to 8,500 tonnes. The company supports products with services including through-life rope management, residual strength testing, recycling programs, and mooring equipment guidance aligned with OCIMF MEG4 standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TIPTO®: TIPTO® 'Strong & Durable' family of ropes including TIPTO®EIGHT, TIPTO®TWELVE, TIPTO®WINCHLINE, and TIPTO®THREE.
• EURO®
• LANKO®
• Lanko®nect
• STRONGLINE™
• Defender®
• EUROFLOAT®
• GRIPOGREEN®

Products and services

• LANKO®FORCE 12-strand braided high-performance mooring and towing rope made of Dyneema® (UHMWPE/HMPE), offering 7x lighter weight than steel wire rope at equivalent strength, floating properties and excellent abrasion resistance for maritime and offshore operators.
• TIPTO®EIGHT 8-strand plaited high-performance mooring rope with 0.93 specific gravity (floats), 14% elongation at break and very good UV and abrasion resistance, with yellow colour and orange marker yarn for visibility.
• TIPTO®TWELVE 12-strand rope with rounder construction and increased abrasion resistance, widely used on inland vessels such as barges, bulkers, tankers and containers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rope diameter can be reduced vs steel wire rope, leading to substantial savings in weight and size of mooring winches on new build vessels.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WireCo WorldGroup Inc.coreOthers · 1 January 2012WireCo WorldGroup Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, USA, acquired Royal Lankhorst Euronete Group in 2012. Lankhorst Ropes operates as a WireCo WorldGroup brand, benefiting from the group's global manufacturing network, technical expertise, and shared sustainability strategy.
• DNV-GLcoreTechnology or IntegrationDNV-GL serves as the primary certification body for Lankhorst Ropes. They conducted the Technology Qualification framework for LANKO®FORCE Heavy Lift slings according to DNVGL-OS-E303 requirements. DNV-GL also witnessed the industry-leading R&D programme on fibre rope sling performance under realistic scenarios.
• DSM Dyneema (now Avient)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing supplier relationship with DSM Dyneema (now Avient) for supply of Dyneema (UHMWPE) fibre used in LANKO®FORCE ropes. Lankhorst works closely with DSM Dyneema to ensure highest quality standards from raw materials through to finished rope. Joint R&D on rope performance characteristics.
• Lloyd's Register (LRQA)coreTechnology or IntegrationLloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) issued Lankhorst Ropes' Certificate of Approval according to ISO 9001:2015, covering research, development, production and supply of natural and synthetic yarns, ropes, netting and fabric. Certificate valid till 27 February 2029.
• RidderflexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLankhorst and Ridderflex entered into a partnership to strengthen the Dutch innovation ecosystem, combining rope manufacturing expertise with polymer engineering capabilities for total solution development.
• Sureline MaritimeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLankhorst and Sureline Maritime partnered on the Rope Safety Initiative, showcased at their first European show, to promote safer rope handling and mooring practices in the maritime industry.
• TechnavaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnava was appointed as Lankhorst's Greek distributor, handling sales and distribution of rope products for dredging and maritime market segments in Greece.
• AllseascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllseas used Lankhorst High-Capacity Slings for their Jacket Lifting System in offshore installation projects, demonstrating a deep technical partnership in engineered lifting solutions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marlow Ropes: Marlow is a UK-based rope manufacturer producing synthetic fibre (Dyneema, polyester) and technical ropes for marine, defence, and commercial maritime applications including mooring and towage, serving the same shipping and superyacht customer base as Lankhorst.
• English Braids: English Braids is a UK/European manufacturer of synthetic braided ropes and cordage for marine, industrial, and lifting applications, competing with Lankhorst's EUROFLEX® and TIPTO® plaited/braided rope product lines in mooring and towage.
• Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group: Bridon-Bekaert (now part of Bekaert) is one of the world's largest steel wire rope and synthetic rope producers for mining, oil & gas, marine, and crane applications, directly competing with Lankhorst in steel wire mooring ropes and heavy lift slings.
• Teufelberger: Teufelberger is a direct competitor manufacturing synthetic fibre ropes (including UHMWPE/Dyneeba and polyester) and steel wire ropes for marine mooring, towing, and offshore heavy lift applications, overlapping with Lankhorst's core product families across maritime and offshore segments.
• Yale Cordage: Yale Cordage is a US manufacturer of synthetic fibre ropes for marine, utility, arborist, and industrial lifting end markets, with comparable UHMWPE-based products used in mooring, towing, and rigging where Lankhorst also competes.
• Samson Rope Technologies: Samson is a US-based manufacturer of high-performance synthetic fibre ropes serving marine, offshore, towing, and heavy lift end markets, with comparable UHMWPE-based product lines (e.g., AmSteel) and similar coverage of mooring/towage customers as Lankhorst.
• Roblon: Roblon is a Danish manufacturer of fibre ropes, nets, and synthetic cordage serving offshore, marine, and industrial markets, with overlapping product/customer overlap to Lankhorst in mooring and offshore rope applications.
• Bexco NV: Bexco is a Belgian rope manufacturer producing synthetic and steel wire ropes for offshore, marine, fishing, and industrial customers, competing in similar rope categories and European ports as Lankhorst.

Broad incumbents

• Casar (a WireCo brand): Casar is a WireCo WorldGroup brand producing high-performance steel wire rope slings and assemblies for crane, lifting, and offshore applications; it is a sister brand within the same parent group, providing internal benchmarking on heavy lift steel wire slings that compete/overlap with LANKO®FORCE HL.
• Phillystran (a WireCo brand): Phillystran is a WireCo WorldGroup brand manufacturing high-modulus synthetic ropes (including aramid/UHMWPE) for marine, military, and offshore lifting applications — overlapping with Lankhorst's high-performance synthetic rope and heavy lift sling portfolio under the same corporate parent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LankhorstRopes

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lankhorst