“Proud of the major steps taken towards digitisation”

19 January 2021 Royal Florahoilland Fred Bunnik

In a series of portraits, we would like to introduce members of Royal FloraHolland. Entrepreneurs, thinkers and innovators who will enter into discussion with each other and the management of Royal FloraHolland, concerning issues we are facing as a cooperative. Exceptional people with their own ideas and a shared dream: a flourishing future for our cooperative. We will start with the growers who were the founding members of the Members' Council. As of 31 December 2020, these members are stepping down as Members' Council members. What is the current status of the Members' Council? What has been achieved for the members?

Fred Bunnik (63)

Bunnik Plants, green house plants
Region Eastland
Married, father of two sons and five grandchildren

"The fact that growers of potted plants and cut flowers are now in the Members' Council together - to me, that is a major improvement. There are many different interests that have to be taken into account. And, moreover, you can also learn from each other. That's one of the reasons this past period as a Members' Council member was such a positive experience for me."

"A great many good things have happened in the past two years. However, there is still something left undone. I would have loved to do something about the moment of auctioning. The fact that we are dragging people out of their beds at five, six in the morning - isn't that really outdated? Moreover: if the auctioning took place later in the day, the products would be fresher. And you would need less storage space. This way, transport could take place over night immediately. I hope that the Members' Council will still tackle this issue."

"I am proud of the major steps we have all taken together towards digitisation. This is not something we can escape from. In the Netherlands and in the world. We have to move forward. And the cooperative is the perfect platform to do it. I would like to call on Royal FloraHolland to support her members as best as she can with this. Change is difficult. But, I have noticed, people are open to discussion. This pleasant, open conversation with colleagues is something I will surely miss."