The floriculture market is changing. In Naaldwijk, for example, the supply of floriculture products to Royal FloraHolland's logistics operations has declined rapidly in recent years. That is why Royal FloraHolland is developing a new, future-proof design for the hub, as Naaldwijk is a key link in the floriculture chain. This process began several years ago and was presented in the summer of 2024 as the Redesign Elsen building program. Through targeted investments, smarter use of space, and optimisation of logistics processes, the plan was to downsize the Elsen building, which spans approximately 450,000 m², to about 300,000 m².
Royal FloraHolland now sees that supply at its Naaldwijk location is declining faster than earlier forecasts anticipated. David van Mechelen, Interim CEO: "Naaldwijk is and remains a strong floriculture hub, but the decline at Royal FloraHolland in Naaldwijk has accelerated in recent years. This raises the question of whether the original plans for the Elsen building, in combination with our services, are still applicable."
Royal FloraHolland operates on a multi-hub strategy. Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk, and Rijnsburg each fulfil their role as floriculture hubs, both individually and collectively. The Real Estate Master Plan therefore allows for growth where supply and demand are increasing, and for a more efficient layout of locations where necessary. Van Mechelen: "For Naaldwijk, we cannot ignore the new forecasts. Together with our growers and buyers, we will investigate what role the Naaldwijk hub should fulfil in the future. This will allow us to invest strategically and optimise the hub, with a layout that aligns with logistical and digital developments within the Royal FloraHolland platform. Adjusting the plans offers opportunities: more effective investment, more efficient logistics, better use of available space, and more room for buyers. It may also mean that Royal FloraHolland will discontinue certain services, expand others, and develop new ones."
Naaldwijk remains a key floriculture hub: focus on infrastructure and accessibility
Even as trade flows shift, Naaldwijk remains a place where growers and buyers connect on a large scale. Increasingly, this happens directly, without Royal FloraHolland's involvement. Van Mechelen: "The role Royal FloraHolland plays here may change in the future. In addition to our own services, we provide the necessary infrastructure to physically bring growers and buyers together. With our ring roads, buildings, docks, parking lots, and internal product streets, we facilitate the floriculture sector. Based on developments, we will maintain, adapt, or expand these facilities. With Naaldwijk, we are truly a hub in the Westland region, like Schiphol airport or the Rotterdam harbor, but for the floriculture sector. It's highly efficient for the industry."
© Royal FloraHolland
Continued: development of new plan and dialogue with stakeholders
In the coming period, Royal FloraHolland will be working on a new plan for the building size, layout, and scope of its own services at the Naaldwijk hub. This will provide clarity on the steps needed to keep the hub future-proof and affordable. Van Mechelen: "We want to do this carefully. That is why, in the coming months, we will be collaborating with relevant stakeholders to gather their insights and needs. We will assess these against our strategic directions and goals, and determine what is financially feasible, so that we can arrive at a revised plan. We expect to share the initial outlines and implications of these plans with employees, growers, buyers, transporters, and other partners in the period after the summer."
Tenants on the 10th floor of the Elsen Building
Tenants of Royal FloraHolland on the 10th floor of the Elsen Building who recently received a notice of termination and signed a settlement agreement have now been informed of an extension of the notice period. They may continue to use their current space during the research and planning phase.
Consequences for Aalsmeer and Rijnsburg
Due to the increase in supply in Aalsmeer in recent years, Royal FloraHolland is also adapting the Aalsmeer hub. In Rijnsburg, the decline in supply is proceeding in line with the plans already developed for Rijnsburg. The study therefore focuses primarily on Naaldwijk, taking into account as much as possible the interaction with the other hubs.
