" If you think doing commercial enterprise in the Netherlands is challenging , it ’s nothing compared to our operation in Ethiopia . You really have to be persistent , or you wo n’t last long here , " say Gert - Jan Klaver , CEO of Klaver Flowers . The crime syndicate business school Lilium in Heerhugowaard , the Netherlands , and arise Gypsophila , Limonium , Craspedia , and Molucella in Wondo Tika , Hawassa , Ethiopia . They have now become the large cultivator of Gypsophila and Limonium in the region . This week , they are also exhibiting at the HortiFlora patronage fair in Addis Ababa .
On the left : Lydia Klaver ( CFO ) and Danny Koppes ( CCO ) , on the right : Gert - Jan Klaver ( chief executive officer ) and Gulilat Bekele ( farm manager )
How it all beganWhat depart as a lily forcing business enterprise has grown into an external cultivation company . " Klaver Flowers is a family business with an entrepreneurial heart , " aver Gert - Jan. In 2000 , he consider over his male parent ’s part and worked alongside his uncle for another five age . In 2005 , Lydia Klaver became co - owner . " We have a groovy partnership , each with our own responsibilities . "
In 2007 , they decided to expand to Ethiopia . " Energy costs in the Netherlands were high , and Labour was becoming increasingly expensive . We had to opt between expanding in the Netherlands and starting in Africa , and we chose Ethiopia . We stop up a PSOM subsidy and , at the time , considered Ethiopia a safer option than Kenya . Moreover , it is closer to the Netherlands . "
Gypsophila Zinzi Discovery
They started with a 25 - hectare farm and , just like in the Netherlands , focus on growing lilies , and here chiefly for retail . However , they soon encountered major challenges : an unreliable spouse , tribal conflicts on the farm , and logistic issues such as delay bulb delivery . In Ethiopia , we have to handle everything ourselves , from sourcing fertilizers and chemicals to arrange packaging and logistics . If you think doing business in the Netherlands is challenging , it ’s nothing compared to our operations in Ethiopia . "
In 2012 , they had to start over with a new 50 - hectare farm , this fourth dimension without a collaborator . After years of trying , they found that lily finish was n’t suitable : spell medulla was expensive and logistically complicated , the mathematical product was heavy and difficult to transport , and the character could n’t contend with Dutch nursery - grow lily . They switched to Gypsophila , a craw that thrived and was in high demand . This precede to one-year expansion . They then added Limonium , in which they have also become a major player . In addition to Gypsophila and Limonium , they now grow Lepidium , Craspedia , and Molucella and are testing Helianthus , Eryngium , Hypericum , Carthamus , Veronica , and Delphinium in their tribulation subject .
In 2022 , they expanded with land adjacent to the farm , growing from 50 to 70 hectares and increasing staff from 700 to 1,100 employees . In January 2024 , they acquired another 50 hectares , bringing the amount to 120 hectare , with 85 hectare in production and 2,150 employees .
And the challenge ? " challenge will always amount in Ethiopia . You always have to bet for solution , " enunciate Gert - Jan. " You ca n’t let it keep you up at nighttime , or it ’ll take a toll on you fast . "
Via the auctionEverything is sold through the Dutch auction . " We value the auction clock and want to betray our best products there day by day . Most sales happen through unmediated contracts , daily sales via our webshop , or by phone . "
Growth on all frontsIn Ethiopia , Klaver Flowers has not only expanded in land but also in manpower and assortment , thanks to increase need . Gert - Jan emphasizes that growing in staff is not just about numbers but also about employee development . " We clothe a lot in training people , and respect is an important part of our farm . Everyone is respected , disregardless of their role . It ’s essential that people are in good order motivate to work . We are actively involved in social project , from stand scholarly person to funding the local clinic and other community initiatives . "
The assortment continues to acquire too . " We do n’t just maturate flowers , we keep innovating . In our test field , we train Delphinium , Unicorn , Eryngium , Hypericum , Helianthus , Carthamus , and Veronica . Our latest addition is Molucella . After an intensive examination full point , we ’ve started the morphologic supply of this blossom . From July , we expect stable volumes and twelvemonth - round availability . With our cultivation design , we ensure that we always offer our client something newfangled , without compromising on character or dependability . For now , we ’re use up a footstep back , but as soon as the market and our caller are quick , we will expand further . "
From July : unchanging Molucella supply year - round
harmonize to Gert - Jan , customer demand has steady increased , and Klaver Flowers has grown with the securities industry . " Your quality must be consistently high , and you must guarantee this 365 days a year . Additionally , the product must be uniform — customers should be capable to grease one’s palms blindly . If something run short wrong , we resolve it properly . "
With 14 hectares , the largest Lily forcing deftness in the Netherlands .
Klaver Flowers continues to develop in Heerhugowaard too and particularly in sustainability . " Over the past five years , energy using up has decreased by 25 % due to the transition to chair lighting and more efficient energy solutions . Half of our yield now relies on biologic pest control , with chemic treatment preserve to a minimum and only used when essential . We are also experimenting with biologically disinfect bulbs and more sustainable storage method , such as reducing peat use and optimize place by storing more bulbs per crate . stride by step , refinement is becoming smarter and more sustainable . "
Klaver Flowers is the largest Limonium provider from Ethiopia
ProudWhat is Gert - Jan most proud of ? " We take pride in what we have achieved . We are a successful outside company with two locations , bear top - quality product every 24-hour interval . We are proud of the high standard we have reached , the beautiful crops we grow , and the passionate the great unwashed who work to deliver an excellent product . We are the large Gypsophila supplier in Africa , with 60 hectares and an yearly production of 50 million root , admit the small - flowered Gypsophila ' Zinzi Discovery ' . Additionally , we are the largest Limonium supplier in Ethiopia , with 20 hectare and 20 million stems per yr . In the Netherlands , we continue to grow , operating the country ’s prominent lily forcing facility , covering 14 hectares in Heerhugowaard . "
Beyond their own cultivation , they join forces with contract growers — two in the Netherlands and two in New Zealand . " By knowing the origin of our lily medulla oblongata , we can append top - quality lilies year - round . "
Gert - Jan : " But above all , I am lofty of my kinfolk , our team , and our employees . It ’s incredibly intemperate work , but thanks to them , we win ! "
price under pressure , but still satisfiedHow is the market currently ? " We are satisfied with how thing are run so far . Gypsophila terms are under pressure , part because we have expanded significantly ourselves . Lilies are off to a honest first this year . "
Voor meer informatie : Klaver Flowers[email protected]www.klaverflowers.com
© FloralDaily.com/Elita Vellekoop
