RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 104
The
Grow Group
grows
with you
Rijk Zwaan is aiming to expand not
G.N.M. Grootscholten
to directly influence the choice of
just geographically. Vertically, too,
The first contact with G.N.M. Groot-
varieties in the horticulture sector.
the company wants to have a bigger
scholten dates back to the 1970s, but
The parties agree that Rijk Zwaan
influence. Less than a year after
the company itself has been around
will take charge of Grootscholten’s
becoming independent, Rijk Zwaan
since 1953. Ten years after starting
vegetable plant sales in Germany. In
is given a good chance to realise
his business, Grootscholten already
the early years, Rijk Zwaan represents
2
this desire. The Grow Group,
has an area of 16,000 m of under
Welver Grootscholten in southern
consisting of two plant nurseries,
glass. In 1968, Grootscholten greatly
Germany and the Beekenkamp plant
G.N.M. Grootscholten and De Berckt,
expands his business by partnering
nursery in northern Germany. It is the
are offered for sale to Rijk Zwaan.
with a plant nursery in Honselersdijk
start of a fruitful collaboration in every
Rijk Zwaan’s long-standing relation-
that has a strong market share in
respect. Later, Beekenkamp decides
ship with this company means that
‘hot’ plants, whereas Grootscholten
to continue selling plants in Germany
negotiations go smoothly, and in
had been focusing on ‘cold’ plant
through its own organisation.
1990 it becomes the official owner
breeding. The new combination
of the Grow Group.
therefore seems to pave the way for
For Grootscholten, the 1970s are
further growth.
a period during which he has to
overcome major difficulties to keep
In the period that follows, Groot-
his business operational. This is
scholten comes in contact with
because the agreement concluded
Rijk Zwaan. Grootscholten, who is
in 1968 with the Honselersdijk nursery
looking for more export opportunities,
hasn’t had the desired result. In 1974,
clearly sees the potential of Rijk
the partnership is dissolved and
Zwaan’s German sales organisation.
Grootscholten takes over the Berckt
Rijk Zwaan will also benefit from
nursery, and with it the European
working with Grootscholten. After all,
network that both companies had
it will enable the company to continue
built up.
Modern plant nursery at the Grow Group.
102
Rijk Zwaan | Moving forward together
