Nursery

 

Van der Lans Nursery

Van der Lans Nurseries has cultivated perennial plants in 9 cm pots since 2001. During this period, the nursery has grown into a company with an annual production of about 5 million plants, of more than 1000 different kinds.

History

As a student I, Robèr van der Lans, worked at Vaste plantenkwekerij PEM Vester in Beinsdorp. After studying Business Administration, I was allowed to grow some plants under my own management via the then owner. After a few years, I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to expand my little business, and I decided that I didn’t want to go further in Business Administration.
In 2001, I bought a piece of land from Vester and built business premises on it, and from then on, there was no turning back for me. I grew some garden plants and pots in sizes p7 and p9, employed some staff and (in 2005) bought another plot of open land in Hillegom. Thus I could grow in pots in Beinsdorp and grow plants in the open ground (on the sand) in Hillegom.
The next step was taken in 2009. We purchased a greenhouse in Klazienaveen for the wintering of sensitive plants. This also allowed us to continue potting a little longer in the autumn, and we could get started a bit earlier after winter. This way, we had ample work for the permanent staff all year round.

Growing

The perennials that are grown on our farm, are plants produced both from seeds, cuttings and from bare rooted plants. A lot of starter material is purchased, but we also produce much of the starter material ourselves. At Hillegom, plants are planted out in the open ground where we then take cuttings to pot in spring and summer.

Staff

In the past 15 years, our workforce expanded rapidly. Aside from me, the company currently employs 15 permanent employees, supplemented by seasonal workers, students and Saturday workers. In busy times, we call on employment agencies that are specialized in the ‘green’ industry. Our main focus is to grow perennials in large numbers at a competitive price. The reason we can work economically lies in the short lines in the company, where everyone is capable of doing almost all types of work. As a result, there is a lot of work variation, which in turn has a positive effect on motivation and speed.

Sales

Most of the plants we grow are circulated through the collegial trade in the Netherlands. However, over the last few years, we have strongly expanded our supplies in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Belgium, England and Scandinavia. The plants are packed in high and low crates, on pallets or in trays on Danish trolleys. We are able to deliver the plants within a few days, using our own transport or collective transport.
If you are interested in our company, please feel free to contact us.