Randstad

Randstad may refer to two related but distinct topics in the Netherlands: the Randstad region, a large urbanized area in the western part of the country, and Randstad Holding N.V., a multinational human resources services company.

Randstad (region) is a polycentric urban agglomeration consisting of the four largest Dutch cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, together with surrounding municipalities. It is the most populous and densely populated part of the Netherlands, home to around 7 million people, roughly 40 percent of the national population. The region functions as the economic and logistical heart of the country, hosting major ports, airports, universities, and corporate headquarters. The term Randstad, meaning “edge city” or “rim of the country,” is widely used to describe the compact, interconnected urban belt that forms the country’s core.

Randstad Holding N.V. is a Dutch multinational staffing and human resources services company. It was founded in 1960 by Frits Goldschmeding and others, and is headquartered in Diemen, Netherlands. The company provides temporary staffing, permanent recruitment, and HR outsourcing services through local subsidiaries in many countries and operates under the Randstad brand. It is one of the largest HR services firms in the world and is listed on the stock exchange in Amsterdam. The firm has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions to serve clients across various industries.