For almost 40 years, Van der Ende Group has been developing, manufacturing, and supplying a range of pumps, electric motors, variable speed drives, (control) valves, fans, industrial filtration systems, and water treatment plants. In 2018, the current premises were renovated and spacious to allow for future growth. Meanwhile, the premises would have burst at the seams if expansion and adjustments had not already been made. Van der Ende Group is on the rise, that much is certain.
About 10 years ago, a strategy was outlined that is now being capitalized on. The vision is being actively implemented, with key focus areas including continuity and growth, internationalization, distinctiveness, innovative thinking, and specialist knowledge.
Growth ambitions in the Netherlands, Europe and North America
"As far as the Netherlands is concerned, our home base must remain solid to properly facilitate our current and future foreign branches," says Lex. "If this requires growth, (knowledge, FTEs, accommodation, business acquisitions, etc.) we will realize this. As for Europe, we are expanding our existing branch in Belgium. Van der Ende Belgium was founded last October partly for this reason and from there we are also looking at potential expansion towards northern France (also for our construction and contracting activities). We are also keeping a close eye on developments in countries such as England and Germany. The potential in these countries is enormous and borders on our home base. That makes it economically very attractive. As for the rest of the world, our second home base in Canada remains very interesting. Indeed, the area of greenhouses there is still increasing every year and we do not rule out a second location in the future. Furthermore, we have also recently started a serious investigation into the potential in America and Mexico."
So Van der Ende is firmly committed to (international) growth, but it remains controlled. Lex: "We are growing fast. This year, I expect growth of around 15%, which is of course a great result. But at the same time, it is important that we manage the associated growing pains. After all, we don't want to run the risk of constantly having to 'chase our own tail'."
Specialist knowledge
Van der Ende Group has set its ambitious goal of being a knowledge authority on water solutions in greenhouse horticulture. They want to understand the customer's immediate as well as latent needs. And with that, they set to work to come up with new products and technologies. Lex drops the word 'relevance' a couple of times. They want to make a relevant contribution to the sector. Helping the sector to grow crops now and in the future within the given and required frameworks.
The subject of knowledge occupies an important place in Van der Ende Group's philosophy. The philosophy card, for instance, reads: "We are constantly developing and immersing ourselves in new trends and technologies to stay ahead. For us, knowledge is not something static, but a continuous process of learning, applying and innovating".
Some of the issues they are now facing include the increase in organic growing, rising disease pressure in different crops, and water shortage. This has so far led to their specialized ultrafiltration system (Kathari) and their high-performance reverse osmosis system (Nexus HPRO), which are currently the showpieces at Van der Ende Group.
Organization
To better ensure the company's continuity, greenhouse horticulture is not the only sector in which Van der Ende Group engages. Construction and contracting, (semi) government, and industry have now become important sectors within the group.
The management team consists of Lex van der Ende (CEO), Micha van Nieuwkerk (CCO, formerly Moor Filtertechniek), Chris van Staalduinen (CFO, formerly BDO), Erwin Schalkx (COO, formerly Ridder) and Marcel Boon (CHRO, formerly ABN AMRO). Notable in the list of names is that not everyone comes from the horticulture sector. Lex believes in that. He believes accessibility is more important than horticultural roots. "It is precisely a fresh perspective that helps us. I believe in 'liquid frameworks' rather than pigeonholing."
Van der Ende Group seems like a nice success story. So are there never any setbacks? Lex: "Yes definitely. Unfortunately, there are. But those 'liquid frameworks' within our company help the company tremendously to recover from them." Lex is extremely proud of his employees. This is evident when he talks about the company. He values the commitment and loyalty they consistently show. "That does us so much good and certainly helps in times of adversity."
A view inside the Piet-van-der-Ende museum. His first workshop has been recreated.
One of the darkest days was, of course, the death of his father: Piet van der Ende. Apart from his father, Piet was also his mentor and coach. "I miss him, every day. How proud he would be to see the company now. We felt a lot of powerlessness and uncertainty in those days. And on the other hand, also have strength and connectedness among ourselves. And should you look now .... We couldn't have given him a nicer gift."
For more information:
Lex van der Ende 
Van der Ende Group
[email protected]
www.vanderendegroup.com