Dümmen Orange continues to disinvest its portfolio

With the symbolic handover of the baton, Hugo Noordhoek Hegt (on the right), CEO Dümmen Orange, hands over Dümmen Orange’s Anthurium production to Paulo Reis, Director of Rijnplant.

Ornamental flower and plant breeder and propagator Dümmen Orange is disinvesting its vast portfolio. Following earlier withdrawals from cut rose production in Ethiopia in 2021, QuickPlug growing media in 2022, and finished and Houwenplant’s semi-finished potted Anthurium production in 2023, the company announced this week a plan to offload potted Anthurium grower Rijnplant from De Lier, the Netherlands. Breeding is Dümmen Orange’s most important strategic bet.

Dümmen Orange acquired Rijnplant—founded by the Van Rijn family—in 2015. Rijnplant was headquartered in De Lier, the Netherlands, and employed 78 people worldwide. The company specialised in breeding and propagating Anthurium, Bougainvillea, and Heliconia. Rijnplant sold its starting material worldwide and also grew Anthuriums into finished plants ready for retail.

Rijnplant is now on its own again, effective 1 March 2024, with director Paulo Reis overseeing the company’s daily management. He says he is committed to continuing to serve customers worldwide and offering a diverse and innovative range of Anthurium varieties.

In turn, Dümmen Orange remains active as a breeder in the Anthurium segment.

Paulo Reis notes,” Rijnplant has been a leading producer of finished Anthurium since 1975, and we will remain so. It is a great responsibility for the new Rijnplant team to continue this legacy and do justice to all the hard work and energy that have been invested in this company over the past 49 years.”

Hugo Noordhoek Hegt, CEO of Dümmen Orange:” Disposing of our Anthurium production aligns with our chosen business strategy. Dümmen Orange is primarily a breeder. Our focus is on developing and commercialising top genetics. As an independent Anthurium producer, Rijnplant is in a much stronger position, and I am confident in their continued success.”

Rijnplant aims to focus on further developing production technologies, supplying top-quality products – both existing and new – and providing flawless service. Paulo Reis stated: “We have a wonderful portfolio of well-known varieties for the global market, and we are committed to continuing their supply. However, we also feel responsible for following up on everything in our test programs and pipelines. There is a lot of innovation happening in the field of new genetics, and we see tremendous potential for Rijnplant in this. Let the breeders focus on breeding, and we will take care of the rest.”