Niels Kreuk, niels kreuk bv:
NL: “Nature calls the shots”
Photos: FleuraMetz
Personal
While he kicks off his shoes and the chickens are pottering around the garden, he explains where his love for tulips comes from. “Personally, I would have loved to show every florist the work that comes with growing tulips myself. But time is never on our side.” He is simply still amazed by the speed in which tulips develop. “In merely 5 to 6 weeks, this simple bulb grows in to a ready-to-be-used flower. This flower has to be top notch if it’s coming from me.” Hence his company’s year round investments in bulb and flower development.
Toying with nature
What also strikes him is how nature always calls the shots. “When we bring in the tulip bulbs in July, that’s when the whole nature scam begins. By using controlled cold and heat, we can trigger the growing process to fit our schedule. No matter how much we have this process under control, in the end it is still nature that decides how successful a growing season is turning out to be.” FleuraMetz buyer John Diemeer agrees. “Niels is fully aware of what he is doing. His products are a perfect mix of beauty and quality.”
Emotions & desires
Both are aiming for 100% customer satisfaction. “This can only work when there is mutual trust,” John continues. “When you share a common goal, working together becomes easy. You help each other forward.” Niels nods in agreement. “The market changes all the time as with everything else that involves emotions. However, I do have my principles and will stick to them. I refuse to just follow the herd. The quality of my tulips will always be my number one priority. FleuraMetz understands this. In return, I try to include the colours desired by professional florists in my product range.”
For more information:
FleuraMetz
www.fleurametz.com