Eef Zwinkels may not have been born with a tomato plant in his handwriting , as his female parent says , but from the eld of four , he wanted to join his father in the tomato greenhouse . Over sixty years later , after a lifetime dedicated to horticulture , Eef is nearing retirement . His farewell was celebrate yesterday at Tomatoworld , although he will remain available until after the termination of GreenTech 2025 .
The nursery where Eef roamed as a youngster is vastly different from today ’s horticulture , and he believes this evolution is what makes the sector so noteworthy . " Horticulture is singular , " he says . " Every day brings new dynamics , with constant problem - resolution . For instance , pipe rail heat was developed when paths became longer and carrying products became too intriguing . The introduction of piping rail was a literal discovery , " he explain .
Over the years , Eef has experienced numerous developments , first as a grower and later on from the supply side . Being liquid in the oral communication of gardening has been a important vantage throughout his career . During his more than thirty class at BE De Lier , he saw the initiation of rock wool . " We used to make effective margins on it , but agriculturalist did n’t listen because they were also earning more money , " he recalls .
lay substratum in Spain - nothing change , correct ! ?
The innovative mogul of horticulture number with a scholarship curve , and Eef has certainly experienced it . He and his father make up one’s mind to build an modern and sustainable greenhouse in Bleiswijk to address the high energy toll at the meter . Unfortunately , this decision proved to be a mistake , specially as it came during a menses when banks were not very supportive of horticulture . " We constructed a Maxolux glasshouse using twofold - wall polycarbonate panels . Internationally , we saw tomatoes thriving under these plastic panels , but in Bleiswijk , it was too dark , lead in lower yields and higher humidity . If lead lighting and DryGair had been uncommitted then , we could have grown quality tomato plant , " he reflects . The nursery at long last close after being damaged by hailstones . It was a tough time period for his founding father , as bankruptcy was particularly painful for a Westlander .
It was n’t well-to-do for Eef either . Newly marital and having worked for Jan Doedel for eight years , he decided to become a air driver . He reached out to Jac van der Eijk to see if he could join BE De Lier during the interim weeks . " I was able to start the next morning at 6 ante meridiem , and I stayed for thirty years . " The problem involved long days , sometimes include evening truck slip to place like Sint Kathelijne Waver or Limburg to supply a branch , but it was a rewarding metre . Eef progress from warehouse skipper to piddle engineering specialist , designing and selling systems like substrate units , disinfectors , irrigation , and underground water store . He fondly remember his stiff relationship with Jac , which persist in even after BE De Lier was occupy over and he leave the companionship .
introduction and family businessEef has been with Royal Brinkman for over ten years now . " I had to adjust at first , but it has been a wonderful X at a companionship that ’s in truth growing , " he says . " The blend of horticultural excogitation , client focus , and the burden of a family business with a genuine concern for people makes it extra . " He recalls how Bas Brinkman managed the arrangements for Beekenkamp ’s novel garden , a highly technical and impressive project . " Bas told the customer , ' If there ’s anything , you may call me 24/7 . ' That shows you ’re not just an employer giving edict but someone who stands by their Holy Scripture . If I ever had to put on for a job again , I sleep together where I ’d go . "
At Royal Brinkman , Eef has been creditworthy for the DryGair dehumidifiers , which introduced him to the international side of gardening . " I ’m truly grateful for this opportunity . The communicating has been excellent from the starting , and my English and German have improve quickly , " he laugh . Eef is now pass the baton to Hans Belt , who has worked alongside him for three years . " Hans is very driven , enthusiastic , passionate , and eager to get wind , so I feel surefooted about leave affair in his hands . " Han dynasty will work with Justin van Putten , and Rene Mondt will also support the squad .
Eef and DryGair ! This is also ten years ago
Eef can laugh about needing three the great unwashed to replace him . " But honestly , we ’ve talk about the market berth . Horticulture is cautious right now , but things could alter . As it tolerate , they ’ll manage , " he predicts , noting that a pregnant stair was recently made in the tomato sphere . In the Netherlands , DryGair has primarily advanced in floriculture in recent years , but in the last weeks of his career , Eef also secured Agro Care as a client . " They evaluated everything , believe outside experiences , lead a trial , and at long last chose DryGair . That ’s a courteous compliment . If their experience with Lycopersicon esculentum confirm what I require , Royal Brinkman should be ready for increase demand . "
With that , Eef ’s journeying with tomatoes comes full circle . There ’s also a personal connection to the Wilgenlei , the street in Bleiswijk where he once grow tomatoes with his father and brother Ben . " My daughter is matrimonial to Roy Persoon , who grows capsicum pepper plant and vegetable seeds for Rijk Zwaan on the Wilgenlei , " he partake . " So , I find myself there on a regular basis again . " However , they need not worry about Eef visiting day by day after retirement . formally , he will continue working until after the GreenTech event , and then he plans to enjoy the summer with his two granddaughter . " I ’ve long want to take the air the Santiago de Compostela . After that , I ’ll harness a home renovation and expand my Tennessean work at De Zonnebloem to include more administrative undertaking . Then wintertime will come , and I ’ll see what opportunities get along my path . "
For more information : Eef ZwinkelsRoyal BrinkmanWoutersweg 102691 PR ’s - Gravenzande[email protected]www.brinkman.nl
© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
