"Horticulture can have enormous added value as an energy supplier"

Grodan introduces Ted Duijvestijn, tomato grower at Gebroeders Duijvestijn in Pijnacker. The brothers grow tomatoes on 13.5 hectare.

1. A short introduction: who are you?
We sell tomatoes, yes, but that is not my main occupation. Maybe it is more interesting to tell something about myself which people do not yet know. I am 53 years old, married, and father of two sons of 23. One son is studying Business Management at the Erasmus University, the other one mechanical engineering at the Haagse Hogeschool.

2. Can you tell something about the background of the company?
30 years ago I have, together with my brothers, taken over the company from my parents. I thought that was only logical. My parents had succeeded their parents. Horticulture has been the rock in our family for ages. My path was set, as it were, from my birth already. It is a subconscious decision you make. When my father proposed, when I was fifteen, to start a new company, I could only say yes. Now you think: 'fifteen' , that is not normal...but it was a different time.

I want my sons to make a more conscious decision. They feel very much connected to the company. They have been involved since they were young and have been working here since they were thirteen. I will always stimulate them to broaden their horizon. Now they are almost graduated this becomes an active question. They will have to find out for themselves what they want to do with their lives. That could very well be at another company and in another sector.

3. What is your role in the company?
Since a few years I've been using my expertise to coach others in their growth process. I have followed a number of courses for this purpose. In the years I was building up the company I discovered my passion to work with people. I see a lot of potential in people and I think it is a challenge to get it out of them. In the company I have taken a step back. I am no longer responsible for management affairs. I am still responsible for Human Resources.

I could create the role I have now because of the policy document Route 2020, which we drew up eight years ago. The step-by-step plan sets the course to guarantee the continuity of business. We have made a number of important decisions to do so, such as attracting a new shareholder and a new director from outside the family. It is still a family company in all aspects. It is the quality of the people which is important. It is also an extra impulse for the third generation to show their tenacity. They will, just like anyone else, have to apply for a function. And to be clear: I will not be there.

4. What is your most important motive? What keeps you motivated?
The contact with people is essential to me, and I want to be relevant to the community. I think it is important to take my responsibility, which is why I am on a number of boards, such as Greenport Westport and InHolland. In this way I can contribute to things that matter to me, such as bio-based economy, energy transition, and food waste.

Empowering young agricultural entrepreneurs by coaching and trying to find new business models gives me a lot of satisfaction. I am a strong proponent of joining forces. As a group you can do things that have a great impact on society. An example is food printing, a development we can contribute to as growers. These are the things we are talking about.

5. What makes you proud? What do you like to remember?
I am proud of how we organised geothermic energy in our company. This transition is in full swing now. For me it is the confirmation that we have made the right choice. It feels good we were right on the spot with this vision eight years ago.

What also makes me happy is that the balance between work and private life is much better. That was very different for a long time.

And I am also proud to have finished the Amstel Gold Race last weekend, 240 km. I had been out of the running for five weeks because of back complaints and those around me were not too keen to see me participate. I think that a person is much stronger than he thinks. With a good mindset and confidence in yourself you can do a lot.

6. What is your ultimate goal?
Getting old while staying healthy. That is what life is about. Work is nice, but it is no longer the most important. In the build up phase of the company this was the case. I worked hard back then, and it influenced all aspects of my life. Now social contacts and sport is important to me.

7. Where do you see opportunities for the future of horticulture?
Horticulture can have enormous added value as an energy supplier. We are working on a project to heat houses. Also in the field of healthcare opportunities are abundant. By playing a role in food printing the sector can contribute to individualized food for sick persons and athletes. For everybody actually.

8. Where do you see the threats to the future of the sector?
Individualization and company continuity, if you start too late. Fifteen years before you intend to retire, continuity should be on the agenda. Strategically plan for it. Put a dot on the horizon, make a timeline, note down action points, adjust, and stick to it. Keep focused!

9. What is your most important tip for other horticultural entrepreneurs?
I have three:
1. Develop yourself.

2. Gather young professionals who can take over tasks and help. They have been trained differently, have a different view on life, have a multi-disciplinarian mindset, and are fast, but they do need some support and confidence.

3. Step outside your own boundaries.
Make contacts outside of your own network, meet things up front, enter conversations, think out of the box. This develops you, and you in turn can give that to young professionals to close the circle.

10. To conclude: to whom do you want to pass on this interview to and why?
Who: Pieter Hoogerbrugge, tomato grower in Steenbergen...

Why? He is involved in the community and he is an expert in the business.

For more information:
Duijvestijn Tomaten
www.duijvestijntomaten.nl
info@duijvestijntomaten.nl

Grodan
www.grodan.nl
info@grodan.nl