Wema Group

Founded in 1982, WEMA has grown from being a small hardware store in SanNicolas, to the market leader in power tools in Aruba with four locations, Ponton, St.Cruz, Boulevard, and recently one in Curacao. WEMA's story began when Mr. Karel Wever decided to open his first hardware store in San Nicolas. Mr. Wever previously worked for the Antilliaanse Handel Maatschappij NV, (now known as Kooyman NV), for about 12 years. He began there as an Inventory Clerk and later became the Hardware Manager of Kooyman's main branch in Dakota. On May 3rd, 1982, WEMA Home & Hardware Center opened its doors in the town of San Nicolas. The store was managed by Mr. Karel Wever and his first wife Mrs. Evelina M. Wever Geerman (R.I.P) until 2000. hey had a small group of employees: Mr. Cirilo "Roly" Thiel; Lodewijk "Wijky" Wever; Juan "Juancho" Werleman, Sixto Wever (R.I.P) and Susanna Kock (R.I.P). Mr. Wever was very ambitious and eager to open more locations throughout Aruba. On the 23rd of September 1983, WEMA changed from being a sole proprietorship to an enterprise while the official name became WEMA Home & Hardware Center N.V. with only two shareholders (Mr. Karel E.O. Wever and Mrs. Evelina M. Wever Geerman (R.I.P.)). One year later WEMA San Nicolas moved to a new building (Viana's Auto Showroom) that was three times bigger, while daily business still continued as normal. In 1985, WEMA saw its sales plunge by about 70% due to the closing of the Exxon Oil Refinery which was WEMA's biggest customer. WEMA then decided to close half of its store in San Nicolas and opened a small branch in Tanki Flip, which was located on the other side of the island. Meanwhile, WEMA entered into a partnership with Boekhoudt Trading, Anthony Sales and Bouwmaatschappij, where WEMA began selling refrigerators, microwaves, pots and pans, radios, washers, bicycles, and building materials all on a commission basis and much more.