The two Brabant nurseries Het Broek Softfruit and Van den Elzen Plants are going to merge. This will create one of the largest plant nurseries in Northern Europe. Both family companies together have almost 100 years of experience in the strawberry, raspberry, and asparagus sectors.
The new management will consist of managing director Arnoud van Asseldonk, operational director Bart van Eerdt, commercial director Maurice Deben and a financial director, who is yet to be appointed. The current owners of Van den Elzen Plants, Henk, and Jos van den Elzen, will continue to be involved in an advisory capacity.
Future prospects
Both companies see scale as a precondition for continuing to invest in the future. Growers and breeding partners must be able to continue to count on predictable quality and reliable deliveries from a well-organized company. This requires investments in good staff, high health locations and extensive robotisation of the cultivation processes. Or as Arnoud van Asseldonk himself puts it: "The company of the future is an industrial enterprise, but with a real horticultural heart. We think big, but act close and involved."
Continuing together as Van den Elzen Plants
With this merger, the brothers Henk and Jos van den Elzen are handing over the daily management of their family business. "This merger means a lot to us. We couldn't imagine a better scenario than merging with our respected colleague who strives for the same values," say the brothers.
It is also a logical choice for Arnoud and Nancy van Asseldonk: "We prefer to determine our own future and we are doing so by joining forces. In this way we can best fulfil the growth of the market and the multifaceted demand of our partners."
For more information:
Van den Elzen Plants 
www.vandenelzenplants.com
Het Broek Softfruit 
www.hetbroeksoftfruit.nl