Recognising Excellent Work in DFG’s Supply Chain

Leybaert plant nursery was among the Dutch Flower Award winners.

AALSMEER, Netherlands: The Dutch Flower Group (DFG) hosted its annual Dutch Flower Awards ceremony at the FloraHolland Trade Fair on Thursday 8 November 2018, recognising the hard work of DFG suppliers. This year’s winners are Karel Bolbloemen, Ammerlaan-Sosef and Leybaert.

Nine cut flower and ornamental plant growers battled it out to win DFG’s prestigious Dutch Flower Award which recognises successful and growing companies. Now in its 17th year, the prestigious accolade awards outstanding horticultural entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, product quality, supply chain management and sustainability development. All candidates were suppliers with whom the Dutch Flower Group have established and trusted relationships.

The winner of the Cut Flowers category was the flower bulb forcing farm Karel Bolbloemen from Bovenkarspel (55 million cut tulips/year) and in the Ornamental Plant category, the award went to Ammerlaan-Sosef, a Celosia, Primula and Cyclamen grower from Honselersdijk.

Moerbeke-Waas (Belgium) based B.V.B.A Bloemisterij Leybaert scooped up the International Grower award. Founded by Etienne Leybaert in 1970, as a local production company for outdoor plants, today Bloemisterij Leybaert is a truly export-orientated company with 19 ha under glass and 5 ha field-production of an estimated 2,500,000 plants/year with Rhododendron, Azalea indica, Vaccinum corymbosum and Chamaecyparis lawsonia ‘Ellwoodii’ being the major crops.

Winning the Preferred Partner Award was CargoMaster from Colombia. This award was created in 2015, in addition to the Dutch Flower Awards, to recognise supply chain partners for their dedication and forward-looking perspective in working together with DFG.

In his speech, DFG CEO Marco van Zijverden said he expects big steps in digitisation within the floral wholesale business.

The Dutch Flower Group (DFG) is a globally acting group of 30 trading companies. Together they lead the import, export, trade and market development of cut flowers, bouquets, cut foliage and plants. They supply to both specialist traders (florists) via wholesalers and multiple retailers (supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres). Together the trading companies of the DFG have 2,500 employees and last year achieved a turnover of € 1.5 billion, exporting to 60 countries worldwide.