Milestones and Changes At Waterdrinker
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in November 2023, the company founded by Jaap Waterdrinker started with a Cash & Carry for plants in the middle of the flower auction in Aalsmeer, Holland.
Now Waterdrinker is one of the largest plant exporters, yet still has the cash & carry – the Green Trade Center – as the main focus of its operations.
Indeed, the Green Trade Center (GTC) has become THE ‘Grower’s House’; a place where growers can present their products and where the most extensive and unique range in Europe can be found.
Not surprisingly, then that GTC is still the most inspiring location for florists, garden centres and retailers in the floriculture sector and, having had a sneak preview, will undoubtedly be a major attraction during the Dutch Trade Fairs next week.
In 2020, Waterdrinker merged with OZ Planten and Hamiplant to become the Dutch Plant Group, part of Dutch Flower Group which focuses on knowledge sharing and launching innovations in the market more quickly and in close collaboration with growers and plant breeders.
Now, the company is looking at another change as Bob Moria and Mariska Foppen – who have been with the company 36 and 28 years respectively and have led the company for the last 25 years - are stepping down and Leon Buskermolen, managing director of Hamiplant since 2011, will become Managing Director from 1 January
Speaking about his new role Leon said: “I very much look forward to dedicating my time and energy to Waterdrinker together with the management team, which I have gotten to know these past few years.”
In the coming year, Bob will continue to perform an advisory role at Waterdrinker and Dutch Flower Group while Mariska, who joined Waterdrinker as a fresh graduate, will be expanding her horizons and working with several start-ups.
According to Moria and Foppen, “Waterdrinker has become a full-fledged brand in the sector, something we are very proud of. Our employees, growers and long-time customers are close to our hearts. We hope that the same level of positive energy and job satisfaction will be maintained and that the company will continue to grow and develop.”
Dutch Flower Group is currently in the recruitment process for the position of MD for Hamiplant.
About the companies
Waterdrinker is one of the largest trading companies in the floricultural sector, centrally located in Aalsmeer and specialising in houseplants, garden plants and cut flowers.
With a staff of 350, Waterdrinker delivers to customers ranging from florists to mass retailers, not only throughout the Netherlands, but also Europe. Their goal is to create a healthy and happy living environment for consumers in which plants and flowers play a leading role.
The company’s strength lies in its extensive product range, which includes large numbers of innovations, exclusive and unique plants developed in partnership with growers and breeders. In recent years, Waterdrinker has also started to focus increasingly on a specific range of fresh cut flowers.
The company works daily to create a happy and healthy living environment with plants and flowers, motivated by the growing awareness of the importance of greenery in our lives, a commitment based on the five Waterdrinker values: We inspire, We innovate, We connect, We share, We care.
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Hamiplant is a leading organisation in the floricultural sector, centrally located at the Trade Parc Westland in Naaldwijk.
With a staff of 270, Hamiplant works daily to deliver to mass retailers like garden and DIY centres, wholesalers and specialised retailers throughout Europe. This prominent organisation within Westland has grown considerably in recent years as a specialist in houseplants and garden plants, thanks in part to the successful integrations of Vida Verde, E. den Dekker (EDD), DRC Plants and Dames Plants. Hamiplant is synonymous with ‘vitality’ and achieves this with a highly efficient supply chain.
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Dutch Flower Group (DFG) is a global family of specialised trading companies. Together, they are at the forefront in the import, export, trade and marketing of cut flowers, bouquets, plants and decorative green products.
DFG delivers to customers in 100 countries through its family of companies and is the market leader in the category management of flowers and plants for leading supermarket chains and garden and home improvement centres throughout Europe. With more than 3,600 (FTE) employees, Dutch Flower Group had combined sales of €2.25 billion in 2022.
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