JanWillem Breukink passed away on Saturday 4 January. He had been ill for quite some time. Since 1978 JanWillem Breukink made a major contribution to the development of the seed industry in general and of Incotec in particular. He also played an important role in the economic and social development of the region Enkhuizen, where Incotec’s headquarters are located, and beyond.
JanWillem was director of Incotec from 1989 until 2014. Under his leadership, Incotec developed into a highly innovative and independent company specializing in seed technology. The years in which JanWillem was in charge were characterized by strong growth, international expansion and public recognition. Incotec was nominated twice for the prestigious Erasmus Innovation Award and won the award in 2009.
JanWillem actively represented the interests of the industry and was active in regional, national and international organizations such as Seed Valley, Plantum, the European Seed Association (ESA) and the International Seed Federation (ISF). In 2011 he was appointed as a member of the Dutch Top Team Horticulture & Starting Materials where he represented the SME sector. With his appearance in 2012 in ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, a primetime daily television talk-show, he put Incotec, Seed Valley and the seed sector permanently on the map.
In 2014 JanWillem stepped down as director but remained associated with Incotec as an advisor. In May 2016 he was appointed Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau, based on his merit for the seed sector, the company Incotec and the social and economic development of the region of Enkhuizen. In the same year JanWillem Breukink stepped down as a formal advisor for Incotec, but he remained strongly involved with Incotec and Incotec with him. He will be missed by the company and its employees.