FloraDin - Den grønne livsstil by FloraDin A/S

NIEUWKOOP GLOSSY

Edition 15

AGENDA 22 to 25 January 2019

A pedestal for your plantEdition 15 - December 2018

IPM Essen Essen – Germany

Dear Reader,

6 to 7 March 2019 Ravenala madagascariensis

Grainy

Modern nostalgia

Green makes ‘healing’ environments

The solution for green in hospitals

Looking back on successful days

Meet Baq

ColophoN

Solid series

Up-Smart series

Text/Photography:

Trend series

Elegant series

De Klerk

Philodendron pertusem, also known as Monstera or Swiss

EILO excursion

cheese plant. Who hasn’t heard of it! Its large green leaves are

A quirky stem

used as patterns on many things, such as on Hawaiian shirts.

Stubborn plant

The plant originates in the tropical rain forests of southern

From the greenhouse to the project

Mexico all the way up to Panama.

Philodendron onyx

Dracaena surculosa cantik

Cooperation is the key

Don’t give too much water

Extremely cold-sensitive

Real ‘non-living’ plants

The interior of 2019

Taxonomic plant name

The end of the year is in sight. With only two short weeks to go, we

Naaldwijk – the Netherlands

continued to increase. It looks as if Dutch flower and plant exports in 2018 will equal the 2017 record value of €6 billion. It is no surprise to us that a large share is due to plant sales.

Subject to change

Not only Nieuwkoop Europe but also the entire sector has invested a lot of time and resources in recent years in giving green the attention it deserves. The positive effects are now beginning to bear fruit. Plants are increasingly being associated with, among other things, a healthy living climate, increased productivity and reduced sickness absence, resulting in an increasingly widespread plant market. For example,

Nieuwkoop Europe & Ki Plant Concept

we are finding more plants in hospitals, schools and offices. But there is no time for sitting down - we must continue to innovate. In 2019 our new build project will offer us an opportunity to continue

Draft and idea: Ki Plant Concept Published by: Nieuwkoop Europe

innovating, both on the production side and in logistics. In addition, digitisation and sustainability will be important themes for Nieuwkoop

Graphic Design: You’re On!

Europe in 2019. This will enable us to continue offering you the best advice and support in the realisation of your projects. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and look forward to working with you again in 2019.

NiEuwkoop EuRopE Hoofdweg 111

Board of Directors, Nieuwkoop Europe

1424 PE De Kwakel

Sander’s column

Henk Nieuwkoop & Danny Gerritsen

The Netherlands

RUOF

Nostalgia on the wall

Maaike de Wildt

Enjoy flowers for much longer

A pedestal for your plant

The meeting place of the year

+31 (0)297-363163

is the ideal way to draw attention to them. Plants will then

Royal FloraHolland Seasonal Trade Fair can look back on a good year. A year in which the demand for green

Place plants on a pedestal. Placing products on a pedestal

receive the attention they deserve!

ABOUT The cOver:

41 3 43

Ravenala madagascaRiensis The name says it all: madagascariensis. ‘Ensis’ is a Latin suffix that means ‘originating in’. In this case originating in Madagascar. Did you know that the airline company Air Madagascar portrays the ‘fan’ of this Ravenala in its logo? You can see the Ravenala head-on in this logo. In this photo you can see the fan directly from below, which provides an equally beautiful picture.

Modern nostalgia Retro style is extremely popular! Shapes, colours and materials from the 60s can be seen in many interiors today. These â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Refined retroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; planters are a good example. The slender wooden legs give these planters a typical retro look, but with a modern twist. The series is available from the beginning of 2019.

GrAiny This Schefflera has not been growing very long as a hydroculture plant, and yet the first roots are already visible. Apparently, this plant feels very much at home between the hydro granules. It will therefore not be very long before it is sufficiently rooted and someone can decorate their interior with this beautiful green plant!

gReen makes ‘healing’ enviRonments What does the concept of the healing environment bring to mind? Perhaps you are reminded of a wellness centre or a therapeutic health centre. The term ‘healing environment’ literally means a healing or restorative environment. It is a way of setting up rooms in care institutions to help people heal faster or make the situation of being ill less unpleasant.

The effect of healing environments

fresh air and tranquillity. Moreover, an image of a natural landscape or ‘life-like’ artificial plants appears

In the 80s, the scientist Roger Ulrich researched

to have a similar effect on mental health.

the effect of green environments on patients. He compared two groups of patients whose gall bladder

Maggie’s Centres are beautiful examples of such

had been removed. During the recovery period, one

healing environments. After Maggie Keswick Jencks

group had a view of a beautiful natural environment,

heard in 1993 that she did not have long to live as

while the other group saw only a grey brick wall.

a result of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer,

The results were evident. The group that enjoyed the

she used the time that she still had left to realise

green view had a shorter hospital stay and clearly

her dream together with her husband Charles. That

used fewer painkillers.

dream was to create a nice healing place for cancer

Various research studies now show that a relationship exists between being able to see nature, e.g. plants, and health improvement. An explanation for this is

patients. Maggie died in 1995 and a year later the first Maggie’s Centre was opened on the grounds of the Western General hospital in Edinburgh.

that nature gives us the unconscious message that

There are now 18 similar centres in England and

we are allowed to relax, the so-called restorative

Scotland, which have all been designed to have

effect.

views of nature and with attention to light and cheerful accents that make people feel welcome and

Creating healing environments

at home. Let’s hope that this is a source of inspiration for developing more green healing environments in

In a healing environment the focus is mainly on the

hospitals and care institutions.

use of natural elements, such as plants, daylight,

PHOTO: Mika Huisman

the solution foR gReen in hospitals

looking back on successful days! We can look back with pleasure on three very success-

In the previous article attention was given to the effect of

ful Open Days. We had the opportunity to welcome

plants in hospitals and care institutions. And it appears that

many of our business partners to De Kwakel, includ-

‘green’ in hospitals is making a comeback. Yet we still see

ing many familiar faces, but also new contacts who

many ‘white’ hospitals, in which green plants are lacking…

wished to visit the company.

The solution for more green in hospitals is hydroculture! This is because

There was, of course, a lot of attention for the new Baq brand,

the hydro granule substrate is very clean. This is a great advantage

which was officially launched during the Open Days. The Baq

for hospitals that want to keep a clean and sterile environment.

collections were presented to the public for the first time

Hydroculture is less susceptible to fungi, pests and plant diseases.

during this event. So it was a first for everyone who visited our Open Days! In addition, visitors were able to participate in several interesting sessions on current themes and developments in our sector.

the subliMe connection between plant and interior Plants create the right atmosphere in an interior, but do not underestimate the role of the planter. Because the right planter can make an interior shine! So meet Baq, the new premium-grade planters.

Baq offers a wide choice, consisting of several beautiful collections, ranging from sleek simplicity to luxurious designs. Due to this wide choice, the brand offers a suitable planter for every project that lets both the plant and the interior shine! With a capital Q for Quality, the brand focuses on high-quality planters. This is reflected, among other things, in the handmade products that have been finished with care, down to the tiniest detail. But also â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; applications, such as a liner that makes planting easier. Allow the various collections on the following pages to inspire you.

solid seRies The Solid series is characterised by a sturdy and robust character. The planters in this series form a powerful and stylish addition to any interior.

up-smaRt seRies The Up-Smart series is characterised by a simple design in combination with a subtle upgrade through the application of, for example, smart accessories or stylish elements.

tRend seRies The Trend series consists of various planters which, thanks to their modern design, are perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the times.

elegant seRies The Elegant series is characterised by exclusive and luxurious designs that have been finished to perfection. The planters in this series are genuine eye-catchers.

Jos van der hulst:

inteRioR landscaping de kleRk b.v. The growth of the company in Eindhoven began at Philips where De Klerk supplied the flowers and they approached him in the 1970s to take care of the entire office landscaping. The company seized this opportunity with both hands. De Klerk specialised in hydroculture and provided plants to all the offices of Phillips. Jos van der Hulst even went to the home of Frits Philips: ‘I see this cooperation, which is based on complete trust, returning.’

Jos’s parents met at De Klerk, just like his aunt and uncle. As a

You spoke of the personal contact with Philips; does such

small boy he held his father’s hand as he walked around the

cooperation between business relationships still exist? Jos:

company. Later, he worked there on Saturdays and during the

‘Our special connection with the Philips family went so far

holidays to earn some extra money. Jos says: ‘When Mr De

that we only had Philips appliances at home. I am convinced

Klerk died in 2002, my father became a major shareholder.

that such cooperation, which is based on complete trust, will

Yet he regularly had his hands in the green bin, and within a

return to the green sector.’ We discover that, ultimately, it’s

year he cultivated something beautiful in his own greenhouse

all about passion for the business and mutual trust, and not

at home.’

about a business that wants to squeeze out every last euro. In

As a director and owner, Jos is responsible for general management and for sales and marketing. Does he prefer the business side? Jos: ‘With almost more than fifty people in its employment, the company is no longer a “hobby”. My passion for the business remains the basis, but I am also fascinated by the growth

that respect, Nieuwkoop Europe and De Klerk are compatible, because apart from purchasing products, there is something that binds us together. The

‘Working together on the basis of complete trust is returning to the green sector.’

side of the company. I see new

passion, the quality and the friendly contact. It feels familiar and good to be there.’ You have recently completed other projects, such as at Workbrands in Eindhoven,

opportunities every day, too many to implement. For example,

ASML in Veldhoven and KPMG in Amstelveen. Jos: ‘That

we entered the online market early. We have a good system

certainly also includes the project at Agio. We have earned

connection with Nieuwkoop Europe, which has enabled us to

their trust and were given the opportunity to present and

link real-time data such as stocks to our system. We have now

implement our own ideas. This cooperation has resulted in

developed eight websites, we work throughout the Benelux

both the EILO jury award and the audience award. For the

and we are easy to find.’

Workbrands project we won second prize for interior landscaper of the year. We were given free rein here too. That’s when a genuine love of the profession emerges.’

euRopean connections incReasingly impoRtant foR the inteRioR landscapeR

Sky Garden, Walkie Talkie building

Every year EILO organises an international excursion, and every year it attracts more and more European interior landscapers, because looking beyond the borders is inspiring! This event provides an ideal opportunity to exchange valuable experiences with professionals in related fields from various countries,

London, a city full of ecosystems Have you ever visited the city of London? If so, the number of green hotspots in the city will not have escaped your attention.

Crossrail Garden in Canary Wharf was laid out as a courtyard

and this time there was even a clear indication that

garden three years ago. The plants are thriving in this garden

more international cooperation, particularly in the

and are literally growing out of their planters. The healthy

field of sustainability, was needed. The latter was

ecosystem can easily accommodate the hundreds of daily

prompted by the presentation given by Nieuwkoop

visitors.

Europe on this subject.

from tropical to Mediterranean. The tropical plants in particular

to reason more from the client’s problem, such as burnout

are already growing up to the roof. Outside, across from the

complaints, green will automatically be given higher priority.

entrance to the skyscraper, an enormous green wall has been installed.

During the international excursion, two beautiful locations were visited: the Crossrail Garden and the Sky Garden. The

Crossrail Garden, Canary Wharf

Thomas Palfreyman of Urban Planters endorsed this message and added that the millennials group was the biggest challenge for them, but also a huge opportunity! This target group

Biophilia and ‘working naturally’ are major trends The international excursion was kicked off by none other than biophilic design expert and interior architect Oliver Heath. He said that interior landscapers should focus less on the plants

The other location that was visited was, of course, the Sky

and more on the employees. People have a natural affection

Garden in the Walkie Talkie building. Visitors to this building

for green and feel more at ease in a natural environment

have a spectacular view over the city, but they are mainly

in which plants and light play an important role. If interior

surprised by two indoor gardens arranged in descending order

landscapers orientated themselves more broadly and learned

no longer wants to sit in a stuffy office. They feel better and also perform better when an office is furnished according to their taste: a cosy and pleasant room. Dewi Hartkamp elaborated on this by stating that the green sector focuses too much on the plant. However, the HRM target group is interested in the welfare of its employees. They believe that the plant is part of a bigger story. A story in which plants naturally play a major role, but one which also includes multiple factors such as light, food, noise and stress reduction.

Text: Marieke Karssen | Into Green

A qUirky sTem The Ficus Ginseng is well known for its twisted roots and quirky stem. In the wild these plants can sometimes live for up to 500 years and develop an enormous stem.

stubborn plant The Dioscorea is a unique and wilful plant that decides for itself when it is time to shed its old leaves and form new ones. This process therefore does not run synchronously with our seasons or with the amount of available daylight. Giving the plant extra water would not be a good solution because the Dioscorea will only become irritated by its wet feet. Neither would it be wise to plant two or more of these stubborn plants in one pot. Each plant has its own growing period and therefore one plant will require more water than the other.

fRom the gReenhouse to the pRoject...

example, is vulnerable and must be supported by wooden slats to prevent it from breaking during transport. A noose is then placed around the stem and the plant is slowly tilted until it is horizontally balanced.

Cleaning and packing As soon as the plant arrives on the packing floor, it is made

Anyone who has visited the greenhouses at Nieuwkoop Europe

ready for transport. This is where we give the plant a final

will undoubtedly remember the amount of large tropical plants

thorough cleaning, which includes the removal of any dead

growing there. You immediately get the feeling that you have

leaves. The crown of the plant is then carefully wrapped and

landed in the middle of a jungle. But how do these enormous

made as narrow as possible so that it will fit in the truck.

plants find their way from the greenhouse to the final project?

Several pallets and a low tempex are placed underneath the stem to support it during transport.

Selecting the right plant Tip: We recommend loading plants separately. The Naturally, we will start at the beginning, and that is by selecting the perfect plant. To ensure that the right plant for the project is selected, our customers are always accompanied

trolleys are often too big for the tailgate of the lorry. Transporting plants separately in the lorry will save valuable time and effort during unloading.

by one of our specialists who are there to offer advice. This advice takes into account aspects such as the amount of daylight, the characteristics of the plant, the required care and any obstacles presented by the project, such as narrow entrances or a second floor.

Planting on arrival Last but by no means least, we advise our customers on the type of equipment they can hire for moving and planting the

A red label indicates reserved

plants on arrival. If required, we can offer advice or contact specialists to come and help you.

Now that we know which plants have been selected for the project, a red label is attached to indicate that they are reserved. It is important that the plants remain where they are until they are fully acclimatised. This is how we guarantee the quality of our plants.

Lifting up large plants One forklift truck is used when lifting up large plants and one person assists on the ground. For the really big plants weighing more than 3,000 kilos, a second forklift truck is used. First of all, we seal off the top of the pot entirely to prevent potting soil from falling out when the plant is tilted. Next, we prepare the stem. Depending on the type of plant, the stem is firmly wrapped to protect it. The stem of the Veitchia Merrillii, for

drAcAenA sUrcUlOsA cAnTik Meet the Dracaena surculosa cantik, the little brother of the ‘standard’ surculosa. Both plants are very strong and suitable for locations with less daylight. The difference between the brothers can be seen in the leaves. The leaves of the cantik are more pointed.

PhilOdendrOn Onyx The Philodendron onyx is a feast for the eyes! When we saw this plant, we were immediately charmed by its shiny, dark green leaves which are almost perfectly oval. A perfect example of mother nature and a jewel in any interior! The name ‘onyx’ is therefore very appropriate since it refers to a deep black gemstone.

don’t give too Much water Strangely enough, plants are given too much water

coopeRation is the key…

as opposed to too little. This is harmful to the plant because the excess water remains at the bottom of the pot and drowns the roots which then rot. This reduces the possibility to absorb nutrients and the plant will eventually die. Therefore always be careful when watering plants. It’s better to give too little than too much.

In the Paris Agreement on climate change (2015),

If we really want to be successful, we must all contribute

174 countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas

to sustainable development. Perhaps each party does

emissions and the greenhouse effect to under 1.5

contribute to sustainability in its own way, but we believe

degrees Celsius in comparison with the pre-in-

that the sector is ready for the next major step: ‘the circular

dustrial era. The various governments will take

economy business model’. Contrary to the linear business

measures that will require companies to conduct business responsibly. This means that sustainability is no longer something that is ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must have’ for organisations.

model that consumes and wastes resources, we need to develop a system that is based on the reuse of resources. To organise this, parties will have to make joint agreements. We believe that collaboration and the involvement of all parties in the chain are the key to the success of a sustainable sector!

Sustainability and corporate responsibility are high on the agenda in an increasing number of sectors. This is also the case in the ornamental plant sector. Many growers are highly aware of the need to improve water, nutrient and pesticide efficiency. In addition, sustainable transport is increasingly being used. But there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of sustainability...

We are currently working on an initiative of one of our customers involving a process in which used culture pots are

extreMely cold-sensitive

returned to us and then returned to the source for reuse or

Some plants are extremely sensitive to cold, such as the

recycling. This is just one example of a number of initiatives

Aglaonema, Anthurium and Dracaena massangeana. If you

that we can develop together to realise our sustainability

take plants from indoors and carry them outside in cold

ambitions. Let’s develop many more sustainable initiatives

conditions, for example to load them into a car or van, it

together! Interested in knowing more? We will be happy to

would be wise to cover the plants with a plastic plant cover.

talk to you about how we can join forces to achieve this.

reAl â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nOn-livinGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PlAnTs Do you want the atmosphere of real green plants, but living plants are not an option, or do you not have enough time to maintain them? Mummy plants are the perfect solution for you! Mummy plants are real plants that have had the moisture in their leaves replaced by an environmentally friendly and degradable preparation fluid. This helps to preserve the natural appearance of these non-living plants for many years. This method was used by the old Egyptians on the bodies of their dead.

Alternative for living plants Sometimes environmental factors inhibit natural plant growth, such as temperature, draught or light intensity. Mummy plants are a suitable alternative in this case. Bear in mind that mummy plants are only for indoor use and too high humidity levels (higher than 70%) are detrimental to the overall quality.

Low maintenance Mummy plants are very low-maintenance. Dusting them now and again is sufficient to keep their colour looking fresh and beautiful for a long time to come. Depending on the environment, the lifespan of mummy plants could be as long as 10 to 15 years.

soft and fluffy This style trend mainly includes round shapes and soft

The interior of 2019

materials. For example plants with a high ‘caressability factor’, and even hard materials such as plastic, have a ‘soft’ look thanks to round shapes. shapes: Round and inflated shapes colours: Soft pastel shades from creamy white to soft lilac Materials: Plastic and semi-transparent materials plants: Plants with soft leaves or flowers

Earlier this year, trend watcher Aafje Nijman presented her vision of the style trends for the coming year in collaboration with Bloemenbureau Holland. According to Aafje, the world is changing rapidly. As a result, we sometimes feel the need to allow ourselves to fall on to a large soft cushion on which we can relax and unwind. The style trends for the coming year are therefore: soft, round, futuristic and sustainable.

futuristic and adventurous

sustainable and recycled

In this style trend we see geometric and futuristic shapes

Everything for the preservation of our planet. Plastic is

combined with exciting and unusual colour gradients. In

history and we mainly use natural and recycled materials

addition, nature and technology are coming closer together,

with an unfinished look.

such as measuring sap flow to identify plant health. You can

read more on this in edition 12. shapes: Geometric or futuristic shapes colours: Exciting colours that merge together Materials: Metal, glass and glazed ceramics

In this style trend sustainability plays an important role.

shapes: Coarse and irregular shapes colours: Natural colours with lots of green Materials: Wood and recycled materials plants: Plants with striking colourful leaves or spotted patterns

plants: Enchanting plants

TAxOnOmic PlAnT nAme People learn plant names very quickly the moment they start working in our sector. This is mainly true in terms of written communication, because in the spoken language the emphasis can suddenly be entirely different to what you might expect. The official name is made up of a hierarchical classification, in other words a taxonomic rank. We will take the Ficus carica as an example. As everyone probably knows, the name ‘Ficus’ is the genus name. But there are also several taxonomic ranks in which the plant receives its own name. Below you will see which ranks these are:

guest coluMn by sander

Who is the eye-catcheR heRe? It is still dark and quiet. I feel a pleasant tropical breeze - climate control! This tropical princess is already looking forward to the new working day. The workplace has recently undergone a green metamorphosis and I am the three-metre high showpiece. From their favourite seat under my

Kingdom:

Plantae (plants)

green leafy canopy, the employees cannot stop

Stem:

Embryophyta (land plants)

talking about my personal growth... My colleagues

Class:

Spermatopsida (seed plants)

are a little further away, Monique next to the coffee

Order:

Rosales (flowering plants)

machine and Xanadu next to Reception. The plant

Family:

Moraceae (mulberry family)

man comes once every two weeks. I get a pat on

Gender:

Ficus

the head, my fingernails are given a manicure and,

Species:

Ficus carica

finally, I get a refreshing shower.

A distinction is made at the highest level between

The end of the year is approaching. The invasion

flora and fauna, such as plants, animals, fungi and

of the ‘needle ladies’ will soon begin. Decorated

bacteria. The question remains: under which cate-

with bling-bling, lights, biscuits and a gold star,

gory does the stick insect fall?

the Christmas tree will be temporarily installed as an eye-catcher. But I know better, because this year our Christmas tree will not be given as much attention. ‘O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree…’ is no longer a Christmas hit in the workplace. The new hit is going to be: ‘O Bucida, o Bucida…’

Ruof RaumbegRünung The German interior landscaper RUOF is part of the

various architects. Our company has extensive technical equip-

in Koi technology, among other things. The project took 18

we designed a lamp with a specially developed LED chip to

Element Green Group, a network of German and

ment and we can support architects with technical solutions

months to complete.’

meet the needs of the plants. It includes a calculation program

Austrian interior landscapers. The company was

for the green sector. Biophylic design is a current theme and

founded in 1928 and in 1991 it was taken over by Hans

we have been occupied with this at RUOF for 20 years.’

Martin and Brigitte Ruof. Ninety years of green history.

What does the management team consider to be the

different systems right from the start of vertical greening. It

How has the company experienced this rollercoaster?

challenges in this profession? ‘Every project has its unique

was a long and intensive learning process, but we eventually

What is the most recent project in which RUOF has worked

We spoke to the management team, Hans Martin Ruof

character, unique people, spaces and requirements. No two

developed our own version of this system.’

closely with Nieuwkoop Europe? ‘That is a project in which we

and Christopher Mansfield, about this.

projects are the same. It’s all about individuality. With each new project we are confronted with new challenges and that

Over the past ninety years, RUOF has seen some enormous technical developments. ‘To give you an idea, our business relationship with Nieuwkoop Europe has existed for 50 years and we can still remember when Arie Koppelaar came to visit us with a lorry load of plants. The orders were handwritten for many years before the company bought a computer, and nowadays we make “Computer-aided design” plans with

makes it interesting.’ Can a team mention a challenge which they really had to sink their teeth into? ‘One of our recent projects was an office building with a huge entrance. We were asked to combine a vertical green wall with a water basin in which Japanese Koi carp swim in this 20-metre-high hall. It was a difficult technical challenge, because it meant two separate water circulations. To do this we engaged a specialist

You often use vertical green walls in your projects, don’t you? ‘Yes, that’s right. We have worked intensively with the

with which we can calculate the amount of light needed, the number of spotlights and the emission angles at the design stage.’

have realised modern workspaces in a former factory. This was

‘Ninety years of green history: from handwritten orders to CAD plans.’ In addition, you developed special lamps. How important is light? ‘Indoor plants and particularly vertical green walls often get too little light. In cooperation with an LED professional,

also an interesting challenge. The architect had high expectations. He had collected mood images via Google and Pinterest, which gave us an impression of how he wanted it. Making a concrete design from these photos and the underlying philosophy was an intensive process. Various green plants hang down from the ceiling and several beautiful large trees from Nieuwkoop Europe have been installed there.’

nOsTAlGiA On The wAll Several photos can be found hanging on the wall in the canteen at Nieuwkoop Europe that give a glimpse into the history of the company. Every photo tells a story that makes our nostalgic green hearts beat faster.

maaike de Wildt

In this photo we see one of the first lorries of Nieuwkoop Europe. At the beginning of the 1980s,

In every edition of the magazine you can meet one of

Henk Nieuwkoop – in his father’s employment

our colleagues. This time we would like to introduce

at the time – transported hydroculture plants in

you to Maaike! She has been working as a junior

this old Volvo to customers in Germany, Austria,

account manager at Nieuwkoop Europe for 2 years

Switzerland and Italy. Laughing, Henk says that he

now, and is active in the sales team of Great Britain,

drove about 175,000 km a year in this lorry. That

Ireland and Denmark. We asked Maaike to introduce

is an enormous distance!

herself to you.

I started at Nieuwkoop Europe 2 years ago after my neighbour (who also works for the company) received a tip that they were looking for a new colleague for the sales department. In addition to being a good neighbour, my neighbour is now also my colleague! I believe it is very important to offer the best possible service to my customers. I therefore try to answer questions as quickly and as clearly as possible. Even when I have less good news to tell them. It is important that customers know exactly where they stand. Of course I try to come up with a good solution. In addition, a friendly smile always helps. When you are happy, others also react positively towards you. It makes communication between me and the customer a lot easier. What do I like doing most? I particularly like introducing new customers to the company. Nieuwkoop Europe is a beautiful company with very beautiful products. When people visit us for the first time, they are often surprised by what they see. Their reaction motivates me! When these people place their first order, I am pleased that I have been able to convince them by our story.

AGENDA 22 to 25 January 2019 IPM Essen Essen – Germany

Dear Reader,

6 to 7 March 2019 Royal FloraHolland Seasonal Trade Fair

The end of the year is in sight. With only two short weeks to go, we can look back on a good year. A year in which the demand for green

A pedestal for your plant Place plants on a pedestal. Placing products on a pedestal is the ideal way to draw attention to them. Plants will then receive the attention they deserve!

Naaldwijk – the Netherlands

continued to increase. It looks as if Dutch flower and plant exports in 2018 will equal the 2017 record value of €6 billion. It is no surprise to us that a large share is due to plant sales.

Subject to change

ColophoN Text/Photography: Nieuwkoop Europe & Ki Plant Concept

enjoyfloWeRsfoRmuchlongeR

we are finding more plants in hospitals, schools and offices.

But there is no time for sitting down - we must continue to innovate.

Draft and idea: Ki Plant Concept

In 2019 our new project will offerhappy! us an opportunity continue Flowers… theybuild make everyone It’s a pitytothat they often die off after just one week.Europe Enjoy flowers for Published by: Nieuwkoop innovating, bothwith on the production side andbouquets. in logistics.These In addition, much longer one of our artificial flowers maintain their daily freshness and look as though digitisation and sustainability will be important themes for Nieuwkoop

they have just been plucked from the field.

Graphic Design: You’re On!

Europe in 2019. This will enable us to continue offering you the best advice and support in the realisation of your projects. These beautiful bouquets have been arranged by top florists in the Netherlands. You have a choice of 10 different, life-like bouquets, delivered stylish packaging. We wouldinlike to take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and look forward to working with you again in 2019.

NiEuwkoop EuRopE Hoofdweg 111

Board of Directors, Nieuwkoop Europe

1424 PE De Kwakel

Henk Nieuwkoop & Danny Gerritsen

The Netherlands +31 (0)297-363163

42 2

The meeting place of the year! IPM Essen is the meeting place for the agricultural sector! With over 1,500 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors, it is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest trade fair in the field of plants, flowers and horticulture-related articles. This trade fair takes place this year from 22 to 25 January. We will also be there at IPM Essen, of course, and we are pleased to invite you to visit our stand 1B14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hall 1. What can you expect to see? At this fair we will be presenting the brand-new Baq label. We hope to see you at the fair!