"I feel valued here"

In Dekker's monthly feature 'Face of the Family', the company shines a spotlight on one of its employees. This month, Dekker focuses on Piet van den Ende, a true veteran in the chrysanthemum industry and an indispensable member of the sales team for over three decades. With his extensive experience and passion for the chrysanthemum sector, Piet shares his story.

Meet Piet van den Ende
Piet, 65 years young and by now a familiar face in the chrysanthemum world. He has been working at Dekker Chrysanten for more than 32 years. "I started on 1 January 1992, and I haven't left since. My heart is in this sector."

With a background in the cultivation and breeding of chrysanthemums, Piet once started as a manager at a chrysanthemum nursery. Through an acquisition, he ended up at Dekker Chrysanten - and there it immediately felt like coming home. "The combination of technology, innovation, and contact with growers makes working at Dekker Chrysanten so special. No two days are the same."

The beginning of a colorful career
When Piet joined Dekker Chrysanten, the industry was on the brink of major changes. He recalls: "Chrysanthemum breeding was far less commercial and developed back then. But Dekker Chrysanten was always ahead of its time, and that gave me the opportunity to grow in my role."

Piet started as a cultivation advisor, helping growers achieve the best results with our chrysanthemum varieties. "I traveled across the country, advising growers on the cultivation process, from pest control to handling diseases. Later, I also became involved in promoting new varieties. It's fantastic to see a new variety grow into a market success."

Day-to-day work
Today, Piet is responsible for a wide range of tasks. He explains: "My work is mainly about supporting growers. I visit them regularly – sometimes weekly, sometimes every two weeks. I also create planting programs, analyze results, and report on what's working and where improvements can be made."

What energizes him most is solving technical challenges. "Growing conditions are constantly changing. Whether it's a new greenhouse, climate shifts, or other factors, it's my job to find solutions. I enjoy working with growers to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible."

Highlights and pride
Looking back on his long career, Piet has plenty of moments to be proud of. "The opening of our new facility in 2002 was an absolute highlight. The advanced technology and automation we introduced there were truly groundbreaking. It felt like a milestone for the company and the sector."

He's also proud of the success of various chrysanthemum varieties. "It's special to see a variety like Euro become a favorite among growers and customers. That's something we all work hard to achieve."

Why Dekker Chrysanten?
According to Piet, Dekker Chrysanten is a unique company. "It's a real family business. Communication lines are short, everyone knows each other, and there's always room for personal initiative. You feel valued here."

He also praises the culture of innovation. "At Dekker Chrysanten, we never stand still. Whether it's sustainability, new technologies, or improving work processes, there's always a focus on growth. That makes it such an inspiring place to work."

Looking ahead
Piet is officially working until he turns 67 but is already thinking about the future. "I'd like to stay involved, maybe on a freelance basis. As long as I stay healthy, I can see myself advising growers for a few hours a week. It's still my passion."

And what does he look for in a successor? "Someone who is enthusiastic and eager to learn. You don't have to know everything, but you must be open to learning. Technical knowledge and commercial insight are helpful, but passion is the most important thing."

A message to new colleagues
"At Dekker, you have the opportunity to develop yourself and truly contribute to a beautiful product. The work is challenging, but the satisfaction is immense. Together, we create something amazing. So if you're looking for a job where innovation and a family feel go hand in hand, Dekker Chrysanten is the place for you."

With Piet van den Ende as one of its driving forces, Dekker Chrysanten continues to be a pioneer in the sector. His knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm inspire us all – and have done so for more than 32 years, states Dekker Chrysanten.