Belgium: Star & Van der Gugten takes over De Rijcke

Dutch wholesaler Star & Van der Gugten has acquired the shares of Belgian wholesale company De Rijcke BVBA. There were already close links between the two companies who approach their customers in the same manner. Bart and Sophie de Rijcke believe that this step offers optimum opportunities for the expansion of their Wetteren (near Ghent) based company. Star & Van der Gugten sees new sales opportunities in Belgium, according to director Henny van der Gugten.

De Rijcke BVBA is a cash and carry company for flowers and plants. The company offers its customers the opportunity to buy daily fresh products, that they can collect later in the day in Wetteren.

Star & Van der Gugten has cash and carry companies in the Netherlands and supplies to florists and wholesalers via a web shop and from the headquarters at Royal FloraHolland Rijnsburg.

Both companies distinguish themselves by focusing on niche products. Star & Van der Gugten even has a separate subsidiary, My-Blush. De Rijcke BVBA already buys My-Blush products. That will only increase from now on, so that more special flowers will be available to the Dutch and Belgian florists.

For the customers of De Rijcke BVBA, nothing will change, for customers of Star & Van der Gugten (naturally) nothing will change either. The employees will keep their jobs and the work method (both commercial and logistics) will be continued. The working methods of both companies were already very similar.

The name of De Rijcke BVBA will remain. The day-to-day management of the company will be in the hands of Wout van der Gugten (who will move to Belgium). Bart and Sophie de Rijcke will still be involved in the company to ensure a smooth transition.