Not so long ago , the Flower and Plant Wholesale Association ( VGB ) was ' reduced to its instauration . ' This year , however , carries the hope of a new dynamical period . That evoke question which Walter Landesbergen , work as an main communicating specialist at the VGB , among others , place to get on chairperson Cees van der Meij and make out director Matthijs Mesken below .
Cees van der Meij and Matthijs Mesken
Why this strategical acceleration?Matthijs Mesken : " It was time for a recalibration . Six long time ago , we get rebuild VGB . 2023 is the year to square off whether we are on the correct raceway and whether we should expand our natural process . This has culminate in our Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025 . In it , we indicate that we will continue to do what we were doing , append with new activities , because the challenge for floriculture are great . "
Cees van der Meij : " reckon at the world around you , ball-shaped , local , everywhere you see the same phenomenon : atomisation , far - reach individuation . Laws and regulation and the high degree of prosperity have given us the feel that we no longer need each other at the disbursal of the collective . Those who seem more aggressively also see the pauperization for connexion and a gumption of community . This applies to citizenry and businesses alike . ' Alone you go faster ' is true , especially in times of prosperity . But ' together you get further ' is also true . particularly when conditions get toughened , it is effective to make a fist together . In our sphere , such a united fist is needed now when you see the challenge we face . "
Which challenge are there?Matthijs Mesken : " The biggest challenge the VGB has identified with six policy themes : sustainability ; labor ; public affairs & promotion ; market access ; calibration & logistics and information & digital . For each theme , we face serious challenge . To make it concrete with examples : fulfilling the obligation tie to the Greendeal ; striving for persistence in the enlisting of skilled workers ; maintaining the preferable position of efflorescence and plant life among consumer , Brexit , optimal logistics , cybersecurity … all complex issue that affect the sector as a whole and that you have to take on centrally . And the list of issues is even longer .
On all these non - competitive insurance policy subject , you want a powerful neutral vocalism representing the sphere at a eminent tier : the VGB .
For the VGB to make a difference to extend added value to its members , we take to accelerate on the aforementioned insurance proceeds . This requires surmount up the system , with specialist on the chosen policy root . "
What is new about this sixth sense , sure enough you could expect this from a trade association?Cees van der Meij : " The ' old ' VGB was more pragmatic and operationally oriented , think about achieving procurance benefits . It was about touchable matter with a direct item-by-item benefit . The current VGB operates more on a strategical level . At a higher level , the VGB can recreate a more worthful office when it comes to advocacy and fortify the market position of its phallus . For member , this is pretty more nonfigurative and perhaps less seeable . It is , therefore up to the formation to show the note value of our collective , for example , by conclude a sound collective Labour Party accord , taking the enterprisingness in sustainability so that we maintain our licence to manoeuvre in a practicable way , keeping a finger on the pulse from a phytosanitary dot of view ; ensuring that promotional fund are well spent . All issues where there are sectoral benefit to be gained . "
What is typical about the new VGB?Matthijs Mesken : " The VGB organisation is mainly facilitative and expert on the opt policy theme . The VGB has good ears , a discriminating working antenna , is a convincing carrier of the coarse message , and a dependable cooperator . "
Cees van der Meij : " But it is the members who always remain in the lead and are at the forefront when the credit are awarded . On the other hand , we stick to the democratic rationale that the right to mouth is practise in our members ' confluence . "
Will there be a figurehead?Cees van der Meij : " We are not choosing a across the nation outstanding or former politician at the moment . But this is not a insurance policy . While figureheads enjoy renown , they do not always have adequate knowledge of the sphere . At the moment , we do not favour such an erstwhile - fashioned influencer . For now , we recollect we can wait on our interests well on our own . "
How do you unite big and small?Matthijs Mesken : " The variety of society is a tricky one for any collective . large , small , and everything in between has its own the true and its own stake . The trick within the collective is to allow each to have its own truth . For the VGB organization , this means , among other things , being very vindicated about the various interests . Being clear in what we do and what we do n’t do . For example , what we no longer do is negociate buying rate at auction . What we do do is focus on issues of common sake . It is clear that large members make the biggest contributions to the VGB administration . Literally in money and certainly also in Department of Labor and commitment . Take , for deterrent example the Accelerators within the VGB , which is a group of heavy companies that play a pioneering role on , for example , the subject of sustainability . Large companies are more likely to feel the legally enforced urgency of sustainability . But all members gain from the final result achieve by the Accelerators and the product made under their auspices . Accelerators are drive forces that pull the intact sector along . Of course , company balance their own interests and the coarse goodness . However , self - interest is a prerequisite for dedication to the VGB . For every penis , there must be something to gain from the VGB . But we will also have to tell our supporters that sector pastime is a variant of self - involvement . "
strategical program 2013 - 2025 . For an enterprising and decisive arm brass .
What has the VGB already achieved?Matthijs Mesken : " In our sector , we are the dominant instrumentalist , with an 80 % food market share . The VGB is the Founding Father of FSI and a founding fellow member of EPT . We currently have the tip when it comes to create a sectoral sustainability fascia and are active on perhaps the most essential issue : market access , think Brexit , and phytosanitary issues . The most recent achievement is the new corporate agreement reached this month - September 22 this class . "
FutureCees van der Meij : " cave in all the outside ontogeny have-to doe with to overpopulation , food security , environment & climate , et cetera , it would even be suitable to be part of a bombastic USDA and horticulture corporate . Our joint contribution to the world can not be lowball . The Netherlands possesses the best agricultural university in the world , and our troupe are considered the absolute best , be it chicken or chrysanthemum . "
Matthijs Mesken : " If you face at the contributions of flower gardening to our national product and employment , you could also think of a collective that falls under Economic Affairs . "
Cees van de Meij : " Agreed . 61 % of companies in the Netherlands are folk businesses . All those family businesses together report for 30 % of our gross domestic production . In some sectors , the contribution is even more than 60 % . 90 % are privately owned , enjoy no tax benefits , are highly innovational , and are also the largest employer in the Netherlands . That is an incomputable achievement . In floriculture , the kinsperson business is almost the standard . Apart from our product , we can be majestic of that and continue to fight for our business . We do the latter by present our interest group to the best of our power , up to the gamey point , so that we maintain our leading position in the decades to make out . That is the mission of the VGB . The proceeds of our strategic plan is not for nothing : ' With ambition towards the futurity . ' "
Text & pic : Walter Landesbergen
