 After Adrianus van der Lee’s death on 13 May 1920, a difficult time started for Gijsbert van der Lee.As part owner of the company, he had to share authority with his three brothers Klaas, Jan and Piet, his sister Marretje, his brother-in-law Arie Beijen and his mother Christina Vriesman.Gijsbert van der Lee bought out his family in 1936, on the condition that Gijsbert’s brother Piet Van der Lee became the director of the Old Ropery in Vlaardingen.