Eviek van der Arend, Westlandse Plantenkwekerij:
"Dual production and service in horticulture"
Customer Value
“Westlandse Plantenkwekerij is a family business that grows plants for the horticultural greenhouse as for the open air. From cucumber plants to red cabbage from tomatoes to Brussels sprouts. We also grow ornamental plants ready for shops sale,” Eviek explains. "What we do best? When a customer demands a tomato plant with certain specifications in terms of size and flowering date, we will ensure that it will be there."
House & Garden
"The horticultural sector knows peaks and troughs in the occupation of our plant area. Greenhouse growers need young plants in November and December and outdoor growers need their plants in May. For the remainder of the year we have to find alternatives. To fill that hole, we have set up a ornamental program which we named House & Garden. From March until September we provide flowering pot plants to our customers."
Expansion
"The real art is keeping the occupancy rate high throughout the year and an eye open for new opportunities. Such an opportunity can also be expansion, but in order to do this we needed to rely on external financing. In 2008 we were in an financial crisis. We then submitted a restructuring plan to the bank. That was the beginning of an upward trend. In the meantime the investment has paid off. Expansion happens everywhere. Our accountants and advisors van Stolk became a member of DRV. We now have the same support contact, whilst simultaneously the broad expertise from a larger firm."
LEAN method
"We owe our success for a great part to our open culture. My husband Erik and I are the management, then you cannot fail in being open and honest. We find it important that our personnel are actively engaged in operating and continually improving the company, according to the LEAN method. For example, one of our personnel suggested grafting the plants in a different way. After a trial period it was found that this methodology would lead to more efficient and better results. I belief in the power of caring personnel. Together we came through the crisis in 2008."
For more information:
www.wpk.nl
