Find out how your business can benefit from our expertise.PUM Netherlands senior experts

offers knowledge and expertise

from 50 sectors of the

economy. Our experts have

many years of professional

experience in their field and

share their knowledge on a

voluntary base.

FOOD SECURITY

Horticulture, Flowers & Ornamental Plants

For nearly a century-and-a-half, the Netherlands has been known for its innovative horticulture, particularly with regards to flower farming. When one thinks of Holland, it is no coincidence that tulips come to mind. Whether it concerns flowers, potted or bedding plants, in greenhouses, or in open fields, PUM’s Horticulture, Flowers & Ornamental plants sector provides a wide range of innovative expertise (see the list on the right).

The Netherlands is a well-established leading authority in the horticulture auction industry with a long and remarkable tradition of implementing technical innovations. Many of PUM’s senior experts have field experience in the auction business, offering their expertise on auction systems, buildings-&- layouts, as well as on internal transport-&-logistics services. As flower business is a worldwide operation these days the PUM expert connects the applicant to the international flower business, both when it comes to production and trade opportunities. PUM can also provide expert advice on how to participate in Holland’s world-renewed cooperative system administered by the ‘National Cooperative Council for Agriculture and Horticulture’ in the Netherlands.

Sustainability is a big issue in the Netherlands and especially in this sector. The Dutch horticulture sector is very advanced when it comes to innovative solutions as an alternative for pesticides, for instance. This also has beneficial effects on the well-being of the staff. PUM experts will be happy to inform you about ways how you can incorporate social responsibility in your business.As consumers all over the world become more aware, this increasingly becomes an important factor in the sales process.

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AREAS OF EXPERTISE

FARM MANAGEMENT

CUT FLOWERS• Variety of products and processing.

POTTED & BEDDING PLANTS• Variety of products and processing.

SHRUBS & TREES • Variety of products and processing.

FARM SET UP/INSTALLATIONS• Greenhouse construction: open-air, substrates, covered• Climate control

LANDSCAPE DESIGN, ECOLOGIC PARKS

TISSUE CULTURE

EXPORT & LOGISTICS

MARKETING

RETAIL SHOPS• Shop managemen, training of staff and flower art design.

BUSINESS PLANA PUM expert takes a close look at all aspects of an operation. Being an outsider (s)he might catch flaws or hidden potential. Sometimes this 360 degree scan might even result in a complete business plan. Generally a business plan describes a thorough analysis of how well the company will do in the coming years. Most important is the analysis of the market including consumers’ behaviour. PUM experts can give assistance to formulate or improve a business plan

FLOWERING OF GLADIOLUSA company wanted advice on flowering of gladiolus in glass houses as well as in open fields. The owner wanted to grow several varieties of gladiolus under the company’s own cultivation using bulbs imported from Holland. Our PUM expert gave a presentation on the effect of various environmental factors on flowering of gladiolus as they pertained to the company’s particular circumstances and on how to develop and deploy optimal methods of cut flower production.

The PUM expert put the owner in contact with a provider of horticultural goods in the Netherlands resulting in the sale to the owner of 30 000 mini gladiolus bulbs of ten different varieties. The owner was also placed in contact with a Dutch trade company to buy, as needed, machinery in anticipation of future increases in production. The owner of the company them entered into a contract with a production manager well experienced in the cut flower business.

CUSTOMER EXAMPLES

A NEW MARKETING STRATEGYA flower company asked a PUM expert to advise on organising a marketing strategy. The sales and export of flowers were stagnating and growers were going out of business. The expert advised the company to focus on promoting just one product, but in a new, more affluent market environment comprised of banquets, hotels and more highly segmented supermarkets. Instead of plastic, more tasteful wrapping materials would be required. Communications, sales, and transport, would have to be upgraded, be more integrated and streamlined. The PUM expert offered practical solutions to these and other such challenges. The expert recommended different kinds of tropical flowers, explored various gift wrapping materials and techniques and introduced the client to the latest European trends in design, styles and colour combinations, providing employees sample materials whenever possible.

FLOWER QUALITY CHECKA flower company sales department was getting complains from buyers about insects and fungi. The PUM expert identified the problem as stemming from an infestation of the plants by a ‘leaf miner’ pest and recommended spraying the infected plants with a spinosyn-based organic insecticide. Further recommendations included: switching to rust-resistant growing vessels; repairing minor damages to the green houses; improving overall hygiene, at all levels of operation; hiring a production manager to implement the improvements and maintain standards.

ADVICE ON GROWING YOUR OWN CUT FLOWERSA company providing floral decorations for weddings asked for PUM’s assistance. The company needed large volumes of flowers, without delays, and so decided on growing their own flowers rather than continuing to purchase inventory from disparate, often unreliable, cut flower growers. The PUM expert put together for the company a comprehensive manual on how to grow quality flowers. Each flower needs a different amount of cutting per week.This critical activity was carefully monitored while collecting weekly all relevant data in preparation for a PUM follow-up mission to ascertain how well the project was proceeding and what improvements might be desirable, such as introducing a greater variety of flowers.

HOW CAN WE HELP SHAPE YOUR BUSINESS?

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