Editing Ferdinand Schroeter (section)

== Career ==
Schroeter initially ran Schroeter Traktoren from Stolwijk. He worked directly on machinery and continued developing tractors as the company began producing other types of vehicles. As the business grew, he moved its main factory to [[Rotterdam]] in 1912. Schroeter did not move with the company and continued living at his farm in Stolwijk, travelling to Rotterdam for work.

After the First World War, he expanded production as demand for agricultural machinery increased. Schroeter Traktoren also began developing heavier vehicles and military designs during the interwar period.<ref name="st-interwar">[[Schroeter Traktoren#Interwar years|Schroeter Traktoren – Interwar years]]</ref>

During the Second World War, Schroeter personally initiated the [[SlaPa.I]] project. He wanted the company to build a super-heavy tank armed with a 50 cm cannon and took a direct interest in its development. The weight of the gun required the designers to replace the original suspension design before the vehicle could be completed.<ref name="slapa-development">[[SlaPa.I#Development|SlaPa.I – Development]]</ref>

After the war, disagreements over Schroeter Traktoren divided the Schroeter family. The first Middenvader Commissie was held in 1949 in an attempt to settle the dispute. The company subsequently split, with [[Schroeter-Traktoren West]] operating from [[Rotterdam-West]]. Ferdinand opposed the division and tried to prevent the rivalry between the two sides from escalating.<ref name="st-split">[[Schroeter Traktoren#The Middenvader commissions and the split|Schroeter Traktoren – The Middenvader commissions and the split]]</ref>

A second Middenvader Commissie was held in 1959. Ferdinand again argued against dismantling Schroeter Traktoren and opposed proposals to remove the family's farming assets from Schroeter ownership. He argued that the company could remain intact without requiring the two sides of the family to agree on every part of its operation. The meeting ended after the Schroeters-West delegation walked out.<ref name="commission-ferdinand">[[Middenvader Commissie#Ferdinand Schroeter's role|Middenvader Commissie – Ferdinand Schroeter's role]]</ref><ref name="commission-walkout">[[Middenvader Commissie#Walkout|Middenvader Commissie – Walkout]]</ref>

Following the failed meeting, Ferdinand heard that his assassination was being discussed. He reduced unnecessary journeys to Rotterdam and spent more time at his farm, although he continued travelling when company business required it.