Horticoop as an investment cooperative

For nearly 120 years, Horticoop has worked to ensure a stable future for the horticultural sector, collaborating with its members and associated businesses in the fields of lighting, climate, technology and substrates. Horticoop's businesses, which include Lensli, Horticoop Technical Services, Smartcoat and HortAmericas, are domiciled both at home and abroad. As a successful horticultural business that has lasted for several generations, Horticoop knows better than most that progress is linked to change, and therefore the cooperative is now making a new move.

Horticoop is a cooperative with members in the greenhouse and horticultural industries. The cooperative is introducing a participation structure in which Horticoop's equity will be registered in the name of its members, enabling them to share in the profits, as well as making it clearer that they themselves can also contribute to the success of Horticoop businesses. As well as investing in its established businesses, Horticoop also plans to invest in start-ups and scale-ups. The cooperative will be investing 'smart money' in expertise, networking and sales opportunities within the horticultural industry, so that Horticoop can offer its members sustained support in their business operations, as well as ensuring the future-proof growth of the industry - a win-win cooperative!

In order to enhance the mutual involvement of members in the cooperative, Horticoop organises both physical and online meetings for members, enabling them to share expertise and experiences. This is not only essential for the members, but also for the industry as a whole. Members also have a say in the strategy of the cooperative, and can share their views about future investments. 

Horticoop CEO Steven van Nieuwenhuijzen considers it his task to liaise, not just within the cooperative and between the cooperative and its members, but also between Horticoop and the various chain partners in the industry. Says Van Nieuwenhuijzen: 'If we perform well, member benefits and successful participations will go hand in hand, whereby it is made crystal clear how the members stand to gain. In addition, we ask our members to purchase their products and services from Horticoop businesses whenever comparable market conditions prevail. By merging the commercial power of our businesses and sharing expertise, experience and information with our members, we will become unbeatable as a cooperative'. Van Nieuwenhuijzen is thrilled with the prospect of working with the members to strengthen the position of Horticoop in the market, and jointly contributing to a sound future for the horticultural industry.

Source: Horticoop