Vijverberg Advies splits operations, Remko Bakelaar to focus on Japan

Dutch horticultural consultants Huib Herbert and Remko Bakelaar of Vijverberg Advies have announced their intention to split their activities. Herbert will remain on the Dutch market under the current name. Bakelaar will focus on the Asian market, particularly Japan. The activities of Vijverberg Advies remain unchanged.

In view of the impending retirement of founder Kees Vijverberg, Huib Herbert and Remko Bakelaar have continued the consulting firm together since 2011. Interest from the Japanese market especially, increased sharply in recent years. Bakelaar in particular has been very active in this region, thus contributing to the reconstruction of Japanese horticulture after the tsunami of 2011.

Eventually it was decided to split the domestic and foreign operations. Vijverberg Advies remains active in the original market, domestic greenhouses. Bakelaar sees great potential for Dutch quality horticultural solutions in Japan and other Asian countries. In Asia and especially Japan there are big plans for structural improvement and expansion of the cultivation of vegetables, flowers and plants. Bakelaar: "By using the latest techniques huge steps can be made. The first orders have already been realized. The split enables better focus."

For now Remko Bakelaar is operating with his own team under the name ‘Vijverberg Advies Japan BV'. This Japanese branch should eventually get a new name.

Vijverberg Advies has multiple advisors besides Huib Herbert. Main activities include advising on design, permits, finance, subsidies, energy and construction.

Herbert positively regards the developments in the domestic market. "There are still growers who are expanding their acreage. There is still plenty of work in the Netherlands, but the market has changed significantly. This also requires a different approach of a consulting firm. We will be taking steps in this direction shortly."