Piet Vijverberg has been doing business with Van Tuijl for 35 years. It is a company specialised in the innovative and progressive cultivation of colourful Phalaenopsis and Dracaena varieties. The nursery has existed for more than 75 years. Piet's father started the company in 1946, Piet further developed and expanded the business and later son Sander took over the helm. Van Tuijl supplies everything in terms of pots, canes and trays to Piet Vijverberg Nursery. "If we are sure that a different pot is better for a plant, Van Tuijl makes that for us," says Sander.

The company has been doing business with Van Tuijl for a long time. "In the early 90s they came by the door, our cooperation started then with a few products. Our company then consisted of about 4 hectares, this has since grown to almost 8 hectares. We had 6 crops at the time, which was mainly deployed as risk spreading or because the market for a product was not big enough. Now we still have 2 crops, so we are a bit more specialised. Every year we use about 4.5 million pots, to that we add the trays and canes." The company consists of some 80 employees, half of whom are in-house and half of whom are temporary workers.

Advantages of customisation
Sander says: "We focus on Phalaenopsis (orchids) and Dracaena (dragon's blood tree). We started buying more and more products from Van Tuijl. Every now and then, something drops off or is added. It's especially nice that they can deliver custom-made products. If a plant is too dry or too wet, for instance, the opening can be made larger or smaller. Then I have a custom-made flower pot within a few months. They also supply different pots for the orchids and Dracaenas, even though that is not a standard product of theirs. If we are sure that a different pot is better for a plant, we have Van Tuijl make that."

Importance of good material
"We use a slightly thicker stick than average, so it presents itself a bit tighter. This is also a matter of customisation. We are in the higher segment, our customer demands top quality; we therefore grow a large plant with at least three to five branches. Our product goes everywhere: think of high-end destinations like Paris, Monaco, Milan, but also the Emirates and Dubai. Then good material has to be used so that it can be transported well and arrive perfectly. You don't want a pot that breaks or a stick that bends. Van Tuijl's products are very suitable for this."

Energy prices are a challenge
Sander sees several challenges in his profession. "Energy prices are definitely a challenge. Prices have obviously gone up. You need energy to grow, then those prices shouldn't come at the expense of the product. But that does mean that the prices of the products also have to go up. I think it's important to go green and to be sustainable, but it's difficult when all of a sudden it has to be done in a very short time."

Van Tuijl excels
Short lines, no nonsense and delivering what they promise; that's where Van Tuijl excels, according to Sander. "They think well along with us as a company, they offer service and are innovative. These are things we find important. They stick their necks out and handle specific questions well. If a problem arises once, they solve it. In addition, the price is good, which also weighs up in the end, of course."

Business partners, also in the future
Sander sees the future positively. "Plants should always be grown there. There will probably be fewer growers in the future, but the number of people is increasing and the market will remain. If Van Tuijl can contribute well to that, there is always room for such a company as a business partner. We like doing business with that."