This summer marked the official launch of Savannah Blooms, a company founded by Roy Ouwens together with Bob and Bram Kaandorp and operates as part of Slikweid. With Savannah Blooms, Roy is clearly targeting the higher-end segment at the flower auctions, while Slikweid continues to focus on retail. "For me, this was a perfect opportunity," Roy explains. "We have worked together a lot in the past, and the trust was already there."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
The three partners are combining their experience, networks and shared vision. "It felt like a natural and exciting moment," says Bob. "Roy has built a strong network, knows the growers and understands the industry inside out. That fits perfectly with what we stand for at Slikweid."
High-quality sourcing from Ecuador and Kenya
Savannah Blooms is all about premium, heavy-quality products. The assortment includes roses from Ecuador and Limonium, Hydrangea and Delphinium from Kenya. "Pure quality is at the heart of what we do," says Roy. "Our goal is to build an assortment the market simply cannot ignore."
The flowers are airfreighted from Ecuador and Kenya, with Savannah Blooms supplying exporters at the auctions. At the same time, Slikweid continues to focus on quality within the retail segment. "The shipments from both companies fly in together very smoothly," Bob explains. "Savannah is a perfect complement to Slikweid."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
The import season generally runs from September through May or June, with products such as delphinium and hydrangea. During the summer months, the Dutch season takes over, but the assortment remains available year-round. This is where Ecuadorian roses play a key role. "We still know some excellent growers there from the past," says Roy. "And when it comes to quality, there is definitely more potential to be unlocked."
An extension of the grower
Within Savannah Blooms, there is close cooperation with partners such as Frans Ederveen and Marco van Sandijk of Flora Delight, a grower based in Kenya. For Roy, the focus goes far beyond sales alone. "We want true partnerships with our growers," he explains. "Thinking along with them, offering support and really acting as an extension of the grower. Everything we do must meet our own quality standards." Savannah is therefore being positioned very deliberately as a strong and recognizable brand.
Young people and smart systems
The ambitions are high. Savannah Blooms and Slikweid are actively looking for young, commercially minded people, as well as logistics specialists. In addition, there is a virtual webshop for exporter clients, supported by smart digital integrations. "We want to build a strong niche assortment with products that genuinely add value."
With a young, dynamic team and a new generation of thinkers, the focus is firmly on service. "Always going that extra step," Roy concludes. "That's what makes it fun, and it's exactly what fits with today's market."
For more information:
Roy Ouwens
Savannah Blooms
+31 6 834 889 93
[email protected]
www.savannahblooms.nl
