Dutch greenhouse pioneer Willem Hartman passed away last Friday. Hartman was the founder of A.C. Hartman, a greenhouse company that operated 72 hectares of greenhouse production. Hartman was an important player in the Dutch produce industry. Almost half of his production was dedicated to organic production.
Willem Hartman is remembered as an inspiring, forward-thinking entrepreneur who was one of the first to introduce innovative technologies such as cogeneration and geothermal energy. He was also the first to establish a direct sales relationship with retail.
This summer, Hartman sold his company to Hein Deprez's Fruit Farm.