HM Tesselaar
Willem Dekker started at HM Tesselaar as a schoolboy and over the years has been co-responsible for both inside and outside sales. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers every day is what makes the profession so special for him, with the Alstroemeria HipHop as his personal favourite!
HM Tesselaar
- About 10 hectares of flowers and about 1 hectare of breeding
- 35 types of Alstroemeria
How did you get into the field?
I started as a schoolboy next to the time I was still at the Havo. After a failed adventure at HBO, I became a permanent employee, but with the thought of looking for another education. But I stuck with the Alstroemerias and I am starting to like it more and more!
Can you describe your role and/or outline your involvement in the process?
I am mainly involved in sales, planning orders and direct trade with our customers. I also visit customers every now and then to make sure that we maintain good contact and identify areas for improvement in our trading relationship. We have also recently started to use social media more intensively, for which I am also responsible.
Which part of the process do you find most fun/challenging?
The weeks surrounding the busiest sales occasions in the year, think of Mother's Day. We often place large orders months in advance. You have already started the puzzle of how to serve each customer as well as possible during that period and still have enough left over to auction our varieties every day. These are often hectic weeks, but when everything goes well and falls into place, it is a wonderful feeling.
You have already started the puzzle of serving each customer as well as possible during that period and then also having enough left over to auction our varieties every day.
What are you most proud of?
Our company is very progressive and really looks years ahead. Every year, we test a lot and try to be ahead of the game. We look from every angle at how we can improve the company structure and cultivation.
What has changed or had the greatest impact in recent years/How does sustainable cultivation look in your organisation?
A number of years ago, we started hanging LED lighting in one section, partly combined with the traditional assimilation lighting. We have expanded this over the years until last year we had 50/50 hanging lights. At the end of last year, due to the high energy prices, we immediately took action to go for 100% LED and at the moment, all traditional lights have been replaced by LED lighting.
What do you think the process of growing or breeding will look like in 10 years?
I think that direct trade will increase more and the clock will play less of a role, it will not disappear but be used less.
What do you think makes the Alstroemeria so special?
The multiple flowers on 1 stem and especially a particularly long vase life.
What would you tell a florist about the Alstroemeria?
Make sure there is at least one Alstroemeria in each bouquet!
What is your favourite Alstroemeria and why?
I think Alstroemeria Hiphop is a particularly beautiful variety because of its dark orange colour, but unfortunately it is a variety that is underused for much of the year.
How do you like to see the Alstroemeria?
I think the Alstroemeria fits best in a classic bouquet, but a monobos is certainly always very beautiful too.
What do you think most people (florists) do not know about the Alstroemeria?
The Alstroemeria has a very long shelf life, and most consumers do not even know what an Alstroemeria is.
What ambitions do you have for the Alstroemeria?
Every year we are busy improving cultivation, developing new varieties and making the Alstroemeria stronger. This year's top quality must become next year's standard, and that every year again. Continuous improvement and efficiency are our company's ambitions!