The bankruptcy of Koninklijke Paardekooper Group has shaken the market. People are asking how such a respected, innovative family business could end up here, and emotions are running high. At the same time, in what analysts have long called a fiercely competitive market, some rivals have already stepped forward to fill the gap left by Paardekooper.
Emotions
On social media, the news sparked an outpouring of emotion. Many posts expressed concern for the more than 700 employees who are directly affected, including messages from colleagues such as Supply Chain Planner Ria Bosman.
Elske Schotte, who worked at Paardekooper on circular business initiatives, stressed that the company's focus on sustainability has been misunderstood. "The media links our bankruptcy to our sustainable strategy, but that is not correct. We didn't go under because of our ambition for sustainability, but rather in spite of it," she wrote. The court-appointed trustee will investigate the true causes in the weeks ahead.
Not everyone has been pleased with how the market reacted. Several suppliers immediately offered themselves as alternatives, and that has left a sour taste for some. Erik le Fevre of Holland Special Packaging openly criticized this attitude: "What strikes me, and frankly makes me angry, is that some competitors use their 'sympathy' as a shop window for their own opportunities. It feels shameless, seizing on the downfall of a beloved company. Real support means showing respect and empathy for the people who built everything, not just rushing to take over customers."
Impact on the market
For now, Paardekooper's customers are searching for new packaging suppliers. Among them are major names like Albert Heijn, which sourced paper bags for baguettes as well as produce bags from the company. A spokesperson for the supermarket chain told De Telegraaf (link in Dutch) that current stock levels are "still sufficient." Garden retail chain Intratuin was also a customer. Together with Paardekooper, they had developed a sustainable packaging line for Intratuin's private label products.
The Algemeen Dagblad asked Royal FloraHolland about the effects on floriculture. According to a spokesperson, the auction house itself is only "minimally affected," but growers will feel the impact more strongly, as they must now look for alternatives to the single-use packaging that Paardekooper supplied. "Where Royal FloraHolland can support with options from our own range of disposable packaging, we will of course do so," the spokesperson said.
The Dutch Flower Group told the newspaper (link in Dutch) that its companies still have stock available, but there are limits to how the market can adjust. "Existing competitors of Paardekooper prioritize their loyal customers and simply don't have the extra capacity," a trader explained. "And let's not forget, many packaging items carry brand names. That makes them worthless for resellers. The trustee will need to figure out how to handle that when selling off the company's assets."
© Mirthe Walpot | HortiDaily.com
Innovation of Paardekooper: Flower Eco Sheet at Trade Fair Aalsmeer 2024
