"This is where we want to be," says Andrew Wambua of Mzurrie Flowers. He is one of the Kenyan growers who attended Valstar Handling's Meet & Greet Rose. Anyone entering the Flower Handling Services hall at the Naaldwijk hub saw lots of rose, Kenyan roses. The Kenyan growers visited the event to make clear that Naaldwijk is indispensable for Kenyan growers.
See more photos here.
Since Royal FloraHolland stopped using FHS, Valstar Handling has taken over these services in the hall where the Meet & Greet took place. Wilco Koek (Royal FloraHolland), was one of the organizers of the Meet & Greet. He says: "Buyers still have the idea that distribution takes a long time in Naaldwijk. In the beginning, things were indeed a bit sluggish, but we have caught up considerably. It's necessary to put Naaldwijk back on the map. Not only for us, but also for Kenyan growers, this hub is important."
Match and connect
One of the Kenyan visitors agrees. "It is important for us not to be only on Aalsmeer, precisely to get around the crowds there as well. For us, it's also another good opportunity to meet new customers, start conversations, and get attention for our roses."
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Arthur Zwinkels is the International account manager of Match & Connect. "The supply needs to become known to the buying public. I represent several international buyers, so this is a good time to see and speak to growers and see if there is a match with my buyers," he says.
Roses and pasties
Many conversations take place, introductions are made, and here and there you hear about the difficult year for the Kenyan rose while looking at the many varieties and colors of roses. All this while enjoying coffee, cake, and pasties, which Peter Kimei of Flora Ola also enjoys. He is happy to see that their roses are here in Naaldwijk. He proudly points to the banner behind their table: "Look, here is our nursery in the Rift Valley, near Nakuru."
Positive boost
Of course, a Meet & Greet is not complete without the cutting of cakes. Yet, before that, a few words of thanks are echoed by Geert Valstar for the opportunity provided by the auction and for the arrival of, and cooperation with, the Kenyan growers.
Peter Kimei of Flora Ola Ltd, Aniel Ramradj and Geert Valstar of Valstar Handling, Andrew Wambua of Mzurrie Flowers, and KAK Bett of Flora Ola Ltd.
Guido Vollebregt of Royal Flora Holland agrees that it is a great collaboration: "We are proud to have been able to bring this about and to give the Naaldwijk hub a positive boost. We now have a great collaboration to make the hub in Naaldwijk important again, and give it the place it deserves."
Team Royal FloraHolland cutting the cake with Andrew Wambua and Aniel Ramradj, who had arranged everything to perfection for the Meet & Greet. See more photos here.
Unmissable
From the other words heard, it is especially clear that a lot of steps have been taken to put Naaldwijk back on the map. The many challenges that exist are being met, and problems solved. And as Andrew Wambua puts it, "Cutting the cake shows that we are serious about the hub in Naaldwijk and that it is indispensable to us."
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For more information:
Valstar Handling
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www.valstarhandling.com