Anyone entering Muller Bloemzaden in Lisse (the Netherlands) would not expect to find some 4,000 different flower varieties and plant seeds stored behind the office building in a conditioned storage cell, ready for sale. Wim Zandwijk, managing director and independent agent for major global players in the seed trade, has enjoyed being at the helm of the company since 2016: "In the past few years, the company grew; we now have 4,000 varieties in our range. Our seeds fly all over the world to customers in 60 different countries." A team of 15 people makes all this possible.
Wim Zandwijk, Muller Bloemzaden
A wide assortment
"Thanks to our wide assortment, customers definitely know where to find us," Wim says. "We can offer a complete package to customers. It gives customers security whether they only need 250 seeds of one variety, or many millions of seeds of several varieties. Many agents are not completely independent anyway, as they often have their own genetics they want to bring into the market. Customers know what to expect, and that is very important." Customers should not expect luxury packaging at Muller Bloemenzaden BV. "For us, it is all about the quality of our seeds and meeting customer expectations. The packaging may be basic, but the contents certainly aren't."
Expertise
For Wim, close cooperation with suppliers, growers and other stakeholders is very important: "We constantly have to keep ahead of new market developments. That's why we visit many trade fairs, company presentations, and the Flower Trials. To give you an indication, in a month's time, we will be in Salzburg where we will be looking at Fleuroselect's trial fields. We see ourselves as forerunners, which involves a lot of orientation." He gives some insight in what entails supplying seeds: "This year, for example, we have had to deal with a lot of extreme weather conditions. There are stricter rules regarding the use of pesticides, and there is also currently a lot of downy mildew in the crops due to the cold and wet spring. Feedback from the field, and communication with suppliers are important because we want to help and advise growers. We can use this to see what is popular, and what a grower can grow best."
Developments
There are also many market developments, Wim follows them closely. "It has been a difficult spring for all growers, large and small. Many small growers decided to grow special flowers, such as delphiniums, amaranthus, helichrysum, and digitalis. These flowers are very much used for bouquets. Demand for sunflowers also remains high. Sakata's Vincent's Choice Summer DMR is a new type of sunflower that is popular in the Netherlands. It grows quickly and is mildew-resistant. The Double Sunking and Bicolor varieties are also definitely in demand." Wim continues," the Callistephus (Aster) chinensis AZUMI XL, a larger flower that looks like a chrysanthemum, is a nice new development in the flower world that many chrysanthemum growers are trying out. Not only in the Netherlands, but across all of Europe. There is a lot of expertise on how to produce flowers in the best possible way. Many nurseries are more aware of the sales market. They want to produce what local outlet needs."
Cooperation
"To produce what the local market needs, cooperation is key," Wim explains: "In the end, everyone benefits from good cooperation in the chain, from producer to consumer. Because we know what is in demand, we can advise growers, supply what they need, and growers can actually produce what they will sell in a targeted way." Wim is not only interested in cooperation with external partners. Since recently, he also cooperates with his son Stephan to ensure a successful future. What's this future like for Muller Bloemenzaden BV? According to Wim, Europe remains the biggest market. "Perhaps there will also be a move towards African countries. Either way, we want to be there for all growers, and offer them a high-quality product."
For more information:
Wim Zandwijk
Muller Bloemzaden BV
Vennestraat 52C
2161 LE Lisse, the Netherlands
+31 (0)252 410 744
[email protected]
www.mullerseeds.com