Dirk Haakman and Astrid Wouda run a relatively small family business. “We steer away from mass production and aim for high quality, heavy stemmed, beautiful tulips.” says grower Dirk Haakman. His floristry grade tulips are traditionally grown in soil.
Tomorrow's technology
Dirk: 'We often say that we grow bunches from the past. Heavy stemmed, sturdy tulips grown in soil but with the technology and vision of the future. With the latest production techniques from Next Generation Growing (Het Nieuwe Telen in Dutch) and a state of the art bunching machine, we manage a consistent level in quality and grading of our tulips."
Fresh tulips from DHM
Double quantities, less energy
In 2010, they've started producing their flowers from a double layer. "It allowed us to expand without putting extra pressure on the environment. We cut double the quantity, using the same space and amount of energy for a single layer. This is one of the positive results of the new work method."
MPS-GAP
John particularly appreciates the forward-thinking mindset of Preferred Supplier DHM. "There is an increasing demand for sustainably grown flowers. Dirk and Astrid have been working according to the MPS-A guidelines for years." Dirk: "We already work according to the regulations, next step is to make this visible by obtaining the MPS-GAP and MPS Product Proof certificates." More trade is also done directly nowadays as opposed to the auction. Dirk: "We both have the same goal: to supply strong, high quality products for customers to work with."