The largest chrysanthemum greenhouse in the Netherlands is 12 hectares, is called Diamond Flowers and was officially opened last Friday. This happened under the watchful eye of 360 invitees. The greenhouse is part of the company of Jan Kreling, Kreling Chrysanten, that, with this new addition, grows to a total acreage of 36 hectares of greenhouses. His son, Koen (22), is entrusted to manage the new greenhouse, which is to produce many millions of stems annually.
Invited guests were treated to a snack and a drink, several speeches and of course a look in the greenhouse. A short impression.
Conny Biezen, member of the provincial government, made a speech and then pressed on a big red button. This caused the front door to open so everybody could enter.
The project was realized through the involvement of some 65 companies, most of them from the Bommelerwaard. No money was spared on automation and climate, as is evident, among other things, from the Bercomex flower processing lines and the atomization system. (Incidentally, a fascinating list can be made of the number of windows and lamps, and the kilometers of cloth, cables, pipes, tubes and profiles etc.)
Full house.
From top left clockwise: LTO chairman Nico van Ruiten; Rabobank Bommelerwaard director Jaap Breugem; InterGreen director Niels van der Plas, and Royal FloraHolland CEO Lucas Vos.
How to become the largest grower of chrysanthemums in the Netherlands? "Just work hard and stay humble."
Friends of Koen, who is only 22 years old and the appointed manager of a greenhouse of a size unattainable for most growers, wished him well and above all that he really would shine brightly (indeed like a diamond).
Proud Kreling family with at the right the speakers of the afternoon