Dutch cucumber growers Bart de Groot and Stef Zwinkels drank a glass of champagne on Tuesday. There was something to celebrate for the young, ambitious entrepreneurs, as they had purchased a new location with their company KAS.KO, at Zwethkade Zuid 33 in Den Hoorn, Netherlands.
The growers already have a 2.7-hectare site in Kwintsheul, and are now adding 2.4 hectares. Last year, Bart and Stef decided to look for expansion. To do so, they hired YEALD.
The choice fell on a 2.4-hectare greenhouse with a large shed in front of it. And not unimportantly, with 2.5 hectares of building land behind the greenhouse. "That's where we want to build a new greenhouse in due course," shares Stef.
The growers, who took over the greenhouse in Kwintsheul from their predecessors in early 2018, see upscaling is going on in cucumbers as well. The purchase of an additional site and the option to expand there, appeal to Stef and Bart's ambition to grow with them, looking to the future.
Stef Zwinkels and Bart de Groot toast the purchase of the new location
Start of cultivation
From 27 February, KAS.KO will start growing at the new location KASKO de Zweth. "We will grow two rounds of traditional cultivation in Den Hoorn. In Kwintsheul, we grow three rounds of traditional every year." At KAS.KO de Heul, cultivation has been in place since 30 December 2024.
Before cultivation starts in Den Hoorn, a deep clean will take place. The machinery at both locations will also have to be changed so that soon all cucumbers from Kwintsheul can also be sorted and packed in Den Hoorn.
With two locations, the young entrepreneurs will also have to divide their attention between two locations. "Because the sorting and packing is done in Den Hoorn, that's a slightly more hectic location. I will be there myself a bit more, and Bart a bit more in Kwintsheul, but ultimately we will both be responsible for both locations. This is a wonderful step for the growth of our company."
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