Thijs van de Westelaken (34) has become a shareholder at Globe Plant nursery in Vierpolders, the Netherlands. On June 30, 2020 he signed for this, together with the other three shareholders, Johan, Paul and Vera Grootscholten. “With this step, we ensure that the continuity of our company is guaranteed,” says Johan Grootscholten.
Van de Westelaken started working at Globe Plant ten years ago, after a horticultural education at HAS in Den Bosch. The last two years he has been part of the management team. He is active in cultivation, quality control and the personnel organization. “We have already known for a long time that he has a passion for growing good plants that satisfy customers. In recent years we have also noticed how much he is appreciated by the staff and customers”, says Vera Grootscholten. "He is a team player, who fits in well with the Globe culture".
Vegetable plants and ornamentals
Globe Plant cultivates plants for the greenhouse vegetable sector, in particular grafted tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. In addition, the company specializes in potted plants (Gerbera Durora) and the propagation of ornamental plants, such as Gerbera and Pelargonium.
Globe Plant is a co-initiator of the geothermal heat project Vierpolders. The company has been connected to geothermal energy since 2016 and propagates all plants extra sustainably.
Continuity
The company was started in 1961 in Poeldijk by Albert Grootscholten. The shareholders Johan, Paul and Vera Grootscholten are the second generation. “Whether there are successors in the third generation is not certain. With Thijs, we already want to ensure continuity for the long term,” says Johan Grootscholten.
The expansion of shareholding has only limited consequences for the range of tasks. “For the largest part, we all will continue to do our work. We are particularly very pleased with this organic transition to the next phase in our company,” says Paul Grootscholten.
Thijs van de Westelaken: “I am honoured that the Grootscholten family asked me to be the co-owner. That I have accepted, indicates that I have full confidence in the future of Globe Plant.”
For more information: 
Globe Plant
www.globeplant.nl
globeplant@globeplant.nl