Grower Bart van der Veken: ‘Cost capping needed’
September 6, 2024
In the Belgian town of Scheldewindeke, some 20 minutes south of Ghent, we find conifer nursery Bart van der Veken. For 35 years, this has been a specialist in growing smaller sizes of conifers for the higher segment. The company became a member of Royal FloraHolland over 10 years ago. According to Bart, what is the added value of the cooperative and what are the main benefits of membership?
The nursery produces 30 different species of conifers in pot sizes 9, 11 and 13 centimetres on about 3 hectares. They are mainly used in the more luxurious Christmas and plant dishes or to fill flower boxes. The busiest period starts in August and continues through November. Two employees are permanent staff, with around three seasonal employees added during busy times.
Own label
‘It is very important that we continue to deliver top-quality Conifers with our own label, which is what our buyers expect from us,’ says Bart. ‘That's why we have grown quietly in recent years and we will grow in the coming years, but we don't want to get too big. Otherwise we won't be able to guarantee that quality. Together with the employees and planting material suppliers, we are constantly trying to improve.’
And what should you look out for? What makes something a good conifer? ‘For example, it is very important that the conifer has enough space during the growth phase,’ Bart explains. ‘Sufficient air must be able to pass through it. So you keep the number of plants per square metre as low as possible, but it must also remain profitable. That's the balancing act you perform all the time.
Financial benefit of membership
‘We became members because we saw that the market is largely in the Netherlands,’ says Bart. ‘We used to be able to sell all our products in Belgium, but trade here is declining. Through Royal FloraHolland, we can reach a significant part of the global market; it is the place where supply and demand meet. Thereby, our supply matches well with the demand of buyers in the Netherlands.’
‘Also, Royal FloraHolland's way of working suits us. Everything is handled correctly and neatly, both logistically and financially. For example, you don't have to worry about the administration of trolleys, and you have a payment guarantee: you can count on always having your money, whatever happens, after a week. That unburdens you.’
Bart chose to become a full member, not just captain. ‘The big advantage of that is mainly in the involvement in what happens within the cooperative. You have a front row seat when change is on the way. But also financially, membership offers the best conditions in rates, both in terms of handling and participation in fairs.’
Keeping an eye on costs
When asked where Royal FloraHolland could improve the cooperative, Bart points to keeping costs under control. ‘It is a very large organisation and we understand that the costs add up, but there is a limit. We as growers also have to think twice about every euro we spend, because the costs of transport, energy and raw materials are also rising for us. It has to come from both sides. If the cooperative wants to continue to play a significant role, it has to keep a hand on the purse strings. That is why it is good that Royal FloraHolland is now looking at where savings can be made.’
Saving time with Floriday
The grower is also delighted with the digital platform Floriday. ‘We are very satisfied with that now, although it was less so in the early years. You can now communicate your offer to buyers very easily. The customer orders, and at the press of a button the receipt rolls out. That works perfectly. It also saves time: before, you sometimes had to work an extra hour or two in the evening just to go through all the letters manually.’
The nursery puts about 5% of its products in front of the clock. Bart: ‘We see the clock as a kind of showroom for the supply, especially at the beginning of the season, to show what is available. So the majority is traded directly, but we also consider the possibility of auctioning via the clock a plus of being a member of a cooperative.
The nursery also enjoys participating in the fairs organised by Royal FloraHolland, including Trade Fair Aalsmeer. ‘This is a great tool to keep our finger on the pulse and maintain contact with customers. And we still write orders during the fair as well.
Cooperative willingness to cooperate high
The grower sees a great willingness to cooperate in the Netherlands. ‘I think because it is originally a more cooperatively thinking country. Maybe because of the fight against water?’ he wonders with a smile. ‘In Belgium, that cooperative thinking is a bit less strong. In Belgian trade it is a bit more every man for himself. And if you are used to being more on your own and not taking anyone into account, you may find a cooperative to be threatening. But then you ignore the advantages it offers. For example, in the field of transport.
For us, transport to the Netherlands is comparatively cheaper than to Belgium. Transport is organised jointly by many more parties in the Netherlands. If my products go to the Royal FloraHolland hubs, I only have to unload the truck once. In Belgium, you would have to stop ten times and cover many more kilometres because the traders are scattered everywhere. So being a member of a cooperative definitely offers advantages. I really think you are stronger together.’
The nursery produces 30 different species of conifers in pot sizes 9, 11 and 13 centimetres on about 3 hectares. They are mainly used in the more luxurious Christmas and plant dishes or to fill flower boxes. The busiest period starts in August and continues through November. Two employees are permanent staff, with around three seasonal employees added during busy times.
Own label
‘It is very important that we continue to deliver top-quality Conifers with our own label, which is what our buyers expect from us,’ says Bart. ‘That's why we have grown quietly in recent years and we will grow in the coming years, but we don't want to get too big. Otherwise we won't be able to guarantee that quality. Together with the employees and planting material suppliers, we are constantly trying to improve.’
And what should you look out for? What makes something a good conifer? ‘For example, it is very important that the conifer has enough space during the growth phase,’ Bart explains. ‘Sufficient air must be able to pass through it. So you keep the number of plants per square metre as low as possible, but it must also remain profitable. That's the balancing act you perform all the time.
Financial benefit of membership
‘We became members because we saw that the market is largely in the Netherlands,’ says Bart. ‘We used to be able to sell all our products in Belgium, but trade here is declining. Through Royal FloraHolland, we can reach a significant part of the global market; it is the place where supply and demand meet. Thereby, our supply matches well with the demand of buyers in the Netherlands.’
‘Also, Royal FloraHolland's way of working suits us. Everything is handled correctly and neatly, both logistically and financially. For example, you don't have to worry about the administration of trolleys, and you have a payment guarantee: you can count on always having your money, whatever happens, after a week. That unburdens you.’
Bart chose to become a full member, not just captain. ‘The big advantage of that is mainly in the involvement in what happens within the cooperative. You have a front row seat when change is on the way. But also financially, membership offers the best conditions in rates, both in terms of handling and participation in fairs.’
Keeping an eye on costs
When asked where Royal FloraHolland could improve the cooperative, Bart points to keeping costs under control. ‘It is a very large organisation and we understand that the costs add up, but there is a limit. We as growers also have to think twice about every euro we spend, because the costs of transport, energy and raw materials are also rising for us. It has to come from both sides. If the cooperative wants to continue to play a significant role, it has to keep a hand on the purse strings. That is why it is good that Royal FloraHolland is now looking at where savings can be made.’
Saving time with Floriday
The grower is also delighted with the digital platform Floriday. ‘We are very satisfied with that now, although it was less so in the early years. You can now communicate your offer to buyers very easily. The customer orders, and at the press of a button the receipt rolls out. That works perfectly. It also saves time: before, you sometimes had to work an extra hour or two in the evening just to go through all the letters manually.’
The nursery puts about 5% of its products in front of the clock. Bart: ‘We see the clock as a kind of showroom for the supply, especially at the beginning of the season, to show what is available. So the majority is traded directly, but we also consider the possibility of auctioning via the clock a plus of being a member of a cooperative.
The nursery also enjoys participating in the fairs organised by Royal FloraHolland, including Trade Fair Aalsmeer. ‘This is a great tool to keep our finger on the pulse and maintain contact with customers. And we still write orders during the fair as well.
Cooperative willingness to cooperate high
The grower sees a great willingness to cooperate in the Netherlands. ‘I think because it is originally a more cooperatively thinking country. Maybe because of the fight against water?’ he wonders with a smile. ‘In Belgium, that cooperative thinking is a bit less strong. In Belgian trade it is a bit more every man for himself. And if you are used to being more on your own and not taking anyone into account, you may find a cooperative to be threatening. But then you ignore the advantages it offers. For example, in the field of transport.
For us, transport to the Netherlands is comparatively cheaper than to Belgium. Transport is organised jointly by many more parties in the Netherlands. If my products go to the Royal FloraHolland hubs, I only have to unload the truck once. In Belgium, you would have to stop ten times and cover many more kilometres because the traders are scattered everywhere. So being a member of a cooperative definitely offers advantages. I really think you are stronger together.’
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