Column chair FPC Bromelia: ‘You can’t do everything on your own’
August 29, 2023
John Grootscholten has a passion for his company Junglestar Bromelia's, as well as for the cooperative. He makes sure to leave enough free time, because it has to remain enjoyable! He likes to hit a ball with friends, family or colleagues with either a racket or a stick.
I’ve been in the trade now for forty years: what a long time! A lot has changed in that period. But looking back, there is at least one important lesson I have learnt, and that is: work together. You can't do everything on your own anymore, especially now. The world has become increasingly complex. Working together makes you stronger.
If only I had done that earlier...
In 2007, I joined forces with my partner. Before that, I was still growing roses, but I saw that there was no future in that for me. The fact is, I didn't want to grow my business too much and foreign countries didn't attract me either. Together, we continued with Bromelia. We should have taken that step much earlier, since our business is now thriving. Of course, we have also suffered from the various crises over the years, but we have always emerged unscathed.
The complete picture in focus
I have been an active member of the cooperative for as long as I can remember,and have also served for many years as chair of the FPC Bromelia. Why? It’s very nice to talk regularly to a group of united entrepreneurs. We don't necessarily talk about customers or trade, but for the rest, all kinds of things come up for discussion. Certification and sustainability are key items, as is quality. These are the topics I follow on behalf of our FPC.
Personally, I have less to do with Floriday, Don't get me wrong, I think Floriday is good and important, but my son deals with it at our company. And within the FPC, another member keeps an eye on the Floriday developments for us. Here again, you can see the power of collaboration. You don't have to do everything yourself or keep track of everything; that would simply be too much. Together, we provide the complete picture of our product group. This helps us, as individual entrepreneurs and as Bromelia growers, to do our work well.
Last but not least, the FPC improves communication with the auction. We have fixed contacts as a product group: Frits Jonk as sponsor and mouthpiece, and Anneke Bakker as supporter. We can always turn to them with questions or comments. Conversely, they know how to find us when something comes up for our product group. They don’t then have to go through all the Bromelia growers individually. We're not that big a product group, it's true, but it works a lot nicer this way.
Take the active role
After all these years, I still find it wonderful and fascinating to be chair of an FPC. But I also say: I'm 60 now, and I won’t be doing this for another 10 years. Eventually, succession is needed: other growers who, like the current FPC members, feel called to commit to our product group.
This is much needed, as there will be plenty of challenges in the coming years. Consider issues such as ageing, business succession, the energy transition and further globalisation. I am positive and see opportunities in every challenge, but I also know: while fully representing our flower and plant sector, you won't make it on your own. It would be great if even more growers take an active role in the cooperative and in our blossoming sector. Together, we are strong.
I’ve been in the trade now for forty years: what a long time! A lot has changed in that period. But looking back, there is at least one important lesson I have learnt, and that is: work together. You can't do everything on your own anymore, especially now. The world has become increasingly complex. Working together makes you stronger.
If only I had done that earlier...
In 2007, I joined forces with my partner. Before that, I was still growing roses, but I saw that there was no future in that for me. The fact is, I didn't want to grow my business too much and foreign countries didn't attract me either. Together, we continued with Bromelia. We should have taken that step much earlier, since our business is now thriving. Of course, we have also suffered from the various crises over the years, but we have always emerged unscathed.
The complete picture in focus
I have been an active member of the cooperative for as long as I can remember,and have also served for many years as chair of the FPC Bromelia. Why? It’s very nice to talk regularly to a group of united entrepreneurs. We don't necessarily talk about customers or trade, but for the rest, all kinds of things come up for discussion. Certification and sustainability are key items, as is quality. These are the topics I follow on behalf of our FPC.
Personally, I have less to do with Floriday, Don't get me wrong, I think Floriday is good and important, but my son deals with it at our company. And within the FPC, another member keeps an eye on the Floriday developments for us. Here again, you can see the power of collaboration. You don't have to do everything yourself or keep track of everything; that would simply be too much. Together, we provide the complete picture of our product group. This helps us, as individual entrepreneurs and as Bromelia growers, to do our work well.
Last but not least, the FPC improves communication with the auction. We have fixed contacts as a product group: Frits Jonk as sponsor and mouthpiece, and Anneke Bakker as supporter. We can always turn to them with questions or comments. Conversely, they know how to find us when something comes up for our product group. They don’t then have to go through all the Bromelia growers individually. We're not that big a product group, it's true, but it works a lot nicer this way.
Take the active role
After all these years, I still find it wonderful and fascinating to be chair of an FPC. But I also say: I'm 60 now, and I won’t be doing this for another 10 years. Eventually, succession is needed: other growers who, like the current FPC members, feel called to commit to our product group.
This is much needed, as there will be plenty of challenges in the coming years. Consider issues such as ageing, business succession, the energy transition and further globalisation. I am positive and see opportunities in every challenge, but I also know: while fully representing our flower and plant sector, you won't make it on your own. It would be great if even more growers take an active role in the cooperative and in our blossoming sector. Together, we are strong.
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