What do Mighty Vine, a geothermal drilling project in the Westland and the pitch heating system at Man United have in common? The answer: they're all projects by Dutch company VB. Founded in the 1960s, it has developed into a well-known player in the international horticulture industry. Time for a conversation with director Edward Verbakel about the developments in horticulture at home and abroad, and of course within the company. For instance, how about that new HQ?
"When I started at VB, I thought it would be difficult to build a long-term relationship with our clients. You build a greenhouse or install the heating, and then you're not in touch with each other for years. That turned out not to be the case at all, especially in today's horticulture industry. We actually have a close and long-term relationship with the client. Our success depends on the good results our clients achieve. At VB, we grow along with our clients", says Edward Verbakel, Group Managing Director at VB. In recent years, the company was involved in several high-profile horticulture projects: Haisheng in Xi An, China, Agro Care in Tunisia, and Mighty Vine in Chicago. For the coming years, several things are planned as well.
Left: artist impression of the new HQ in Naaldwijk. Right Edward Verbakel (photo Bianca Fenne, property FloraCulture International)
Complicated projects
VB's activities can be divided into three focal points: turn-key projects, climate and energy. What's striking about the turn-key projects is that they are challenging and complicated: Syngenta's R&D center in Enkhuizen, for instance, or the automated lettuce cultivation at Little Leaf Farms in the US. "The challenge is to bring everything together and to make sure the greenhouse supports the production, the cultivation system. You start with what you want to achieve with the cultivation, then from there you work your way to what's needed in the greenhouse to get there."
The company's climate branch operates at home and abroad, and is used by other turn-key providers as well. The projects are often large-scale, and range from heating large greenhouses for Mastronardi and Intergrow in the US and projects for United Farms in Mexico, but also large projects in Europe like French nursery Le Maraîchers du Mont Saint-Michel and Wittenberg Gemüse in Germany. "For us, climate means heating, cooling, CO2 and controlling humidity", Edward explains. "In terms of energy in the greenhouse, a lot can still be optimized there. That applies internationally: where do you use which technology? And in the Netherlands, it's really the same story - but here we optimize the system down to the tiniest detail."
One of the recentl realized projects of VB: the R&D center of Syngenta in Enkhuizen
At Intergrow, the entire climate installation was recently completed. The system takes care of a 10 hectare greenhouse.
Geothermal
Within the company's energy department, the previously mentioned pitch heating plays a part, as well as district heating and geothermal heat. Edward explains that geothermal is an important pillar for the company. In recent years, VB was involved in 14 of the 18 Dutch geothermal projects, most recently with the geo installation for Hoogweg in Luttelgeest and Trias Westland. "In horticulture, geothermal is a major opportunity to become more sustainable. Energy is one of the issues we're judged on as a sector. We can keep on denying it, but we have to work on solutions for a better future." He paints a picture of reducing gas use and increasingly strict demands on water use and discharge. "It will go from being rewarded when you're better than the others, to being punished if you don't adhere to the rules."
Outside horticulture, Edward also sees opportunities for geothermal - thanks in no small part to the Netherlands' desire to move away from gas. Sustainability is also a choice the company makes in its strategy. "We're causing climate change, and we also need to make sure that future generations will have a nice time on this planet." The new HQ, construction of which will start this week, will be energy neutral, with lots of room for greenery and water. Out front, there are plenty of parking spaces for electric vehicles. "But our main contribution remains to empower others to become more sustainable. Think petajoules rather than kilowatts."
Artist impression of the new HQ in Naaldwijk
Future proof
This week, VB will start building its new HQ at the Galgeweg in Naaldwijk. "We're not doing this with the traditional 'first' pile, but by planting eight beautiful oak trees near the entrance at the Galgeweg 55.
"Trees symbolize growth, the reason for us to move to the new location. At the same time, with these trees we're also giving back to the environment." This symbolic kick-off is done together with employees and their children. VB views sustainability not just as the joint efforts to improve the environment. "Consciously using energy and water have been focal points within the horticulture industry for years now, they're not an exception."
"We believe sustainability also stands for long-term and lasting. Those are words we also like to apply to our relationships with employees, clients and suppliers", Edward says. With the start of construction of the new HQ, VB is also introducing a new corporate identity, in which these themes will also come back. "A new logo, where the letters VB will be easily recognizable. We retained the circular logo, but adjusted the design, style and color. Adapted to the modern age."
In the coming months, the new building will gradually take shape. In order to get an impression of the progress, visit: www.vb.nl/vb-is-moving.
For more information:
Edward Verbakel
VB Group 
Jogchem van der Houtweg 4,
2678 AG De Lier
The Netherlands
e.verbakel@vb.nl
www.vb.nl