"Growers keep on expanding, we grow with them"

For 2,5 years Plant nursery P. Van Geest and the Westlandse Plantenkwekerij have been working together intensely. On the 18th of June it was announced that the two greenhouse companies bought 7 hectares together in Naaldwijk. Thijs Hermans, managing director at Plantenkwekerij P. Van Geest: "The paprika and tomatoes growers keep on expanding so it is important to grow with them to stay relevant as a cultivation business.”

On the location in Naaldwijk P. Van Geest will be breeding hydrangeas, while Westland Plant Nursery will use the extra space in Naaldwijk to breed coal plants and ornamental products by House & Garden. Thijs: "The extra meters at the main location of Westland Plant nursery and Van Geest can then be used to breed vegetables that require a lot of warmth because, for the time being, this can’t be done in Naaldwijk. In the future, this might be a possibility because on the new grounds there is space for new constructions.”

Due to the unstoppable growth of vegetable production, the schedule of both plant nurseries was put under pressure. Because of this, it was already normal for the companies to help each other out with space so they could grow enough to help the customer get what they want. Thijs: "At the moment workings with Westlands Plant nursery is no longer limited to just using each other’s space. We now also share knowledge, purchasing, improving processes and now also the buying of new land. Before this, we were already renting lands.”