New Managing Director at Gebroeders Alkemade

Strong background in cutting propagation

With an impressive background in cutting propagation, production and management, Van der Meij's profile matches perfectly with his new role. In 1988 he rose to operational director and in 1990 joint owner of the family company Van der Meij B.V. where he became responsible for moving the unrooted Chrysanthemum cutting production from The Netherlands to Kenya. He remained with the company as Operational Director after the merger with colleague producer Van Ruiten to form Sunfield Holland and later Operational manager after the sale to Royal van Zanten. In 2012 he moved to vegetable young plant production as Senior Project Manager by the Grow Group. He returned to Floriculture in 2017 as Production Manager by Armada Young Plants. As advisor of the Board he took up a leading role in the dissolution of J.D. Maarse en Zonen B.V. in Aalsmeer, in 2019.

Combining craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology

Jaap van der Meij: "Gebroeders Alkemade enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of young plant production. By combining traditional craftmanship with modern technology, we are able to supply high quality cutting-raised material for a competitive price. With the help of Vitroflora, I look forward to sustaining our leading position in the European Market'.

Matching personality

Karol Pawlak - Owner Vitroflora: ''Our choice for Jaap van der Meij was motivated by to his extensive expertise in leading a company active in young plant production. Next to that, his personality and to a large extent his mentality and vision matches well with ours. With our support and Jaap at the helm we are confident that Alkemade will have a highly successful commercial future."

About Gebroeders Alkemade

Gebroeders Alkemade is a young plant production company specialised in cutting propagation and production. Annually, approx. 28 million cuttings are produced. The company is located in Lisse and has 20 permanent members of staff. In January 2020 the owners Theo and Wil Alkemade sold the company to the Polish Vitroflora.

About Vitroflora

Vitroflora is the largest producer of plants in Poland and an important producer of perennial young plants for the European Union, Eastern European, Asian and American markets. Production takes place in Poland and Portugal. The company has its own modern greenhouse facilities and a specialised invitro laboratory which is certified by NAKtuinbouw and suited for the production of SEE plants (Naktuinbouw Elite Ornamental Crops System).

Source: Goedemorgen