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A milestone for AllPlant this year: it is 25 years ago that the company was founded
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More than 30 years ago, Simon’s career started at a tissue culture laboratory, where he was responsible for the sales of Lilium. He always had the idea in the back of his mind to start a business of his own. “But the timing was not ideal back then. More or less, I started with perennials as an alternative, a few customers asked me for propagation of various perennials from tissue culture. So, I started to focus on Heuchera and Hosta. It began with small quantities, but I was fortunate that the market was in full swing and that I could expand the company.”
On its own
In 1995 the tissue culture activities started and later on Gootjes-AllPlant BV was officially founded, Simon tells. “We were working with three people: someone who was helping with the planning and organizing of transport, someone for bookkeeping and myself. In the early days, we outsourced the cultivation, but because of the expanding of the company, we were able to organize the cultivation and rooting on our own. This was being done in a separate company, Cosmoplant BV. In this way we were able to keep control of the plants and assure quality.”
New varieties
“Our growth has been very natural. Gradually, we have been cooperating with more breeders. The amount of protected varieties has also taken off in the last twenty years. We try to be ahead of the game, in order to offer the best varieties and qualities. In this way, we have built up a great range of special and new perennials.”
A lot happened
AllPlant today cannot be compared with the company it was back then. “There are more than 30 people on the payroll and during peak-season, we employ over 100 people. A lot has happened in those 25 years. When I arrive at the company in the morning, and I see the overcrowded parking lot, I sometimes think to myself: what has happened? Ensuring continuity has always been the goal. It is fantastic to build the company and doing business. A great team of people and a loyal customer base are the basis of our company and makes it possible, with a good product range, to ensure the continuity of the company for the long term.”
New building
The highlight of those 25 years is, without a doubt, the new built facilities in 2016. “Before that, we worked from two locations: an office in Schagen and a rented greenhouse in Andijk. We were looking for a new location in the middle of those places. The Alton area in Heerhugowaard turned out to be the most ideal place for us. We were able to acquire a piece of land here. We did intensive research for one year to find out which type of greenhouse would be the best for growing young plants and we ended up with a foil greenhouse. In a short period of time, it went from a plan in our head, to a plan on paper, to reality. In October 2016, we were able to put the 2,2-hectare greenhouse with offices in use. We are still very happy with the result. We now have all disciplines under our own management, from our research laboratory to rooting of young plants.”
Challenging every season
“You start something without knowing where it will end and suddenly you are 25 years down the road and have accumulated a lot of experience. However, every season remains exciting with new challenges waiting every time. We work with a wide range and delicate products, so the challenges are extra big. Horticulture is a fantastic and innovative industry. The variety and international aspect makes it very rewarding. We have a great team with competent and committed employees. We will continue full of confidence the way we have been doing over the past 25 years.”