Bell pepper grower VD Holland is investing over 10 million euro in further extension of the branch at the Nieuwe Dijk 23 in Wevershoof. At the same time, the company is going to provide in its energy with renewable sources.
In the last year, the brothers Arnaud and Tim van Dijk have bought fields behind their parcel in Wevershoof. The greenhouses on that terrain are being demolished, and instead VD Holland will built 7 hectare of hyper-modern, sustainable 'green label' greenhouses in addition to the 9.6 hectare already built. The construction of the new greenhouse complex starts July 1, and the project has to be finished by mid November. Just in time for the new growth season.
Arnaud van Dijk
It is the third extension in two year's time for the rapidly growing company. In 2017, a new 9 hectares greenhouse was built at the Nieuwe Dijk 9b in Andijk, which was expanded in October 2018 with another 9 hectare to replace the branch in Hoek van Holland, which was closed. Now, there is the third expansion at the headquarters in Wevershoof.
POP3 Moving subsidy
The purchase of the adjacent terrain has be done with the aid of POP3 Moving subsidy of the province of Noord-Holland. This subsidy is intended to concentrate greenhouse companies in designated areas. Entrepreneurs can more easily cooperate in matters such as sustainable energy.
Arnaud van Dijk read about the measure and asked for advice at Development company NHN. "It is a rather complex regulation and such a request is not daily business for us. Adviser Dave Vlaming of NHN saw opportunities and told us how to approach this process. He has read the request and helped in the contact with the province and municipality. The subsidy amount was substantial to us, and so we are very happy."
Dave Vlaming, Development company NHN: "The POP3 Moving subsidy is used to demolish an old greenhouse, which improves the spatial structure of greenhouse area Grootslag. At the same time it is made more sustainable, which are the exact goals of province Noord-Holland with this subsidy."
Harvest almost completely intended for export
VD Holland harvests around 51 million bell peppers between March and November every year. Of that, 96% is exported abroad. England and East-Europe are on balance the largest buyers, but the bell peppers are also exported to Japan, China, New Zealand, and the United States.
For more information:
VD Holland
Nieuwe Dijk 9b
1619 PK Andijk
T +31 228 20 80 30
E info@vdholland.nl
www.vdholland.nl