Perry van der Knaap steps down

As of October 1st, Stephan van Santen is the new director of the business unit Rooting of Van der Knaap Group. He takes over from Perry van der Knaap, who will remain closely associated with the organisation in an advisory role.

© Van der Knaap Diensten BV

Stephan will be managing the business unit Rooting. This means he will be responsible for the production sites in Kwintsheul and Honselersdijk (NL), where Van der Knaap Group's rooting media are produced. What does he consider important? "Working with all my colleagues and partners to ensure that we continue to make the right products that growers can rely on. Quality, specifications, everything has to be right."

Among other things, Stephan will focus on increasing the efficiency of logistics services at the production sites and shaping automation and digitisation. These are areas in which he has gained experience in previous positions. He is looking forward to setting up processes that serve this purpose. 'I like to see how I can turn challenges into opportunities,' says Stephan. In addition, his focus is on the further internationalisation of the business unit by setting up new production locations in Central and South America, among other places.

When asked what attracts him to Van der Knaap, he replies: 'The ambitions that the company has, in collaboration with strategic partners, really appeal to me.' As part of the horticultural sector, he believes it is important to embrace sustainability. 'That is becoming increasingly important for the future,' says Stephan.

Advisory role for Perry van der Knaap
Perry, who has been associated with the company for forty years as its co-founder, will remain involved with the organisation. In addition to an advisory role within the business unit, he will also continue to be committed to innovations in the field of rooting media. Perry will also take an active role in Van der Knaap Group's property management and property projects. He will focus on managing and optimising the existing property portfolio and the sustainable development and supervision of new projects and redevelopments in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.