RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 77
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82
Marimba
Carrots
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Calypso
Tomato
The laboratory plays an increasingly important role.
The pollination of cabbage.
Rijk Zwaan in De Lier is one of them. A number of
The first party to show serious interest is Hendrix
parties express interest in Rijk Zwaan, and some
Holding, a Boxmeer-based animal feed company,
of the Zwaan family do want to relinquish their
which is part of BP-Nutrition (BP) and in which
stake in the company. In particular, the two sons
British Petroleum has merged its food-related
from Rijk Zwaan’s second marriage are willing to
activities. In particular, the director of the business
sell their shares. However, their package of shares
unit involved in raising chickens, Mr Van de Eijnden,
consists of depositary receipts managed by the
is interested in Rijk Zwaan. He has a plant science
foundation set up by Rijk Zwaan before he retired.
background and believes that biotechnology can
These certificates may only be sold after five
play an important role in both plant breeding and
years, initially to the other shareholders. But those
chicken breeding. Van de Eijnden purchases the
other shareholders do not have enough money at
depositary receipts of the Rijk Zwaan shares for BP
this time to take over these shares. So the share
in 1982. However, these certificates are not enough
package will go to a third party.
to give BP a decisive voice in the company.
It therefore makes sense for BP to look at the
possibilities of acquiring a larger stake.
For now, the second-generation Zwaan family
doesn’t intend to give up the company’s
independence, but the first step has been taken.
Rijk Zwaan for sale
By the mid-1980s, the pressure to sell is mounting.
Rijk Zwaan is an increasingly attractive partner
for companies looking to expand their range of
breeding materials. Moreover, managing director
Jaap Zwaan is struggling with health problems,
and Herman Beeftink is also approaching retireMessage in the employee magazine ‘RZ Post’ about
ment age. Also at play is the fact that Jaap Zwaan
the sale of shares to Hendrix’ Fabrieken, 1982.
doesn’t have a successor in the family.
1980-1986 | Troubled times | A parent
1982-1983
75
Turnover
FTE
12.076
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