The 10 of.. Cock Overbeek
1. Just a brief introduction; who are you?
Born in '59 in Rhoon, near Barendrecht, on the island of IJsselmonde, as we say there. Married to Marja in '84 and father of Marlies, Marco and Lonneke. Grandfather of Sara of 4 and Naud of 2, the first generation Frisians in our family, because you are only Frisian when you are born there. I will -in the eyes of real Frisians- always remain a 'Dutchman'. And to be honest, I don't really feel Frisian: for the grandchildren I am grandfather, not pake.
In 2002 we moved from Rhoon to Friesland. To settle in quickly, we moved into the village. We thought it would be a few years, but we liked it so much that it became thirteen. In the village it is easier to make contacts than when you live outside. Especially for the children we found that important. Now that we live near the company again, we do miss the 'social chat' with the neighbors a bit.
The big difference with the 'west', is that here they still have time for each other. The doors are always open here. No appointments are made, people just drop in, and no one is turned away because of "no time. I have adopted that attitude, both privately and in work situations. I appreciate it when a representative, who always has to come from far away, spontaneously drops by when he is in the neighborhood.
2. Can you tell something about the background of the business?
My grandfather had a clog factory in Rhoon, an orchard and a corner of outdoor vegetables near his home. You could say that he was the instigator of the present company. He started with onions and red beets in the open ground. When my father entered the business, "flat glass" was introduced and he bought a so-called roll greenhouse for 3 sections of 1,200 meters, for growing endive, red beets and celeriac. On one of those three departments there was only one roof, which was rollable. He expanded the farm with a Venlo greenhouse with 3 sections of 1,800 meters; a total of 5,400 meters of outdoor hot air cultivation. It was the late 1970s. Around this time I came into the picture as a successor. In 1986 I purchased land from a farmer to build an 8,000-meter greenhouse. There I started growing on substrate for the first time. At that time our company was characterized as the 'Barendrecht type of company'. The municipality allowed a maximum of 2 hectares of glass. I renovated the entire farm to a total of 18,000 meters of glass for cultivation on substrate, no more was allowed. From the beginning we auctioned at auction CHZ in Barendrecht.
3. What is your role in the company?
Well, how shall I put it, I am the one who sets the lines. I'm nonstop tinkering with the corporate vision and am a kind of final controller. I actually want to know exactly how things are going at the two locations in Beetgum and Klazienaveen. That involves daily consultations with the members of the nine-member management team. I prefer to stick my nose into everything and want to be involved in everything. We do everything ourselves: sorting, packing, selling, personnel organization. Maybe I have become too attached to the company, because I am right on top of it. Letting go is not my strong suit. And yet I can easily get away from it too; I have full confidence in the team. What lies explicitly with me are the contacts related to cultivation, such as with seed companies. I really am a cultivation man. The best parts are the Sunday mornings. I love cycling through the greenhouses on my own then, in complete silence, inspecting, feeling and smelling the crops.
The prospect of business succession, threw new light on the vision of the future a few years ago. It was the reason to expand further. Last year my son entered the business. I'm definitely not winding down, but a natural process is underway in which responsibilities are increasingly falling to him.
5. What makes you proud? What do you like to look back on?
As a scholar of about 16 years old, my father gave me a piece of land where I started growing sprouts. In no time I had 8 acres of sprouts. I grew the plants myself in a tunnel greenhouse. In the summer months that greenhouse was empty and so cherry tomatoes came into the picture. In fact, this is where Gardener's Pride originated. But I didn't know that at the time. Because when I joined my father's company in '77, he pointed to the success of my sprout cultivation and I had to make a choice: continue growing outdoors or under glass. For me it was a done deal. In no time the greenhouse was full of cherry tomatoes, which were delivered to Bakker Barendrecht via the Barendrecht auction. It was the beginning of a long-term relationship with one of the largest buyers of fruit and vegetables. For 32 years we have been the 'house supplier' of tomatoes.
In '86 I started with substrate cultivation for the full 18,000 meters. Because expansion in Rhoon was not allowed, I ended up in Tinte in 2000, where we could rent an additional 3 hectare greenhouse. I rented it for three years. During that period we started looking for another location. Because if I wanted to continue in horticulture I had to leave Rhoon. We went all over the Netherlands. It became Friesland, Beetgum. I had never been there before 2003. But it immediately felt right and the new glasshouse area offered plenty of opportunities. I did sound out Bakker Barendrecht, who -as a regular customer- played a crucial role in the decision. But for them the distance was no objection. I don't have to go back to the West. Sometimes I think, I should have taken that step earlier. In 2008 the expansion went ahead on an existing horticultural farm in Klazienaveen because we couldn't grow any further in Beetgum.
It all turned out well. When I look back at that farm of 5400 meters and I now see 26 hectares, it does something to me. And when I consider that we have had the trust of one supplier for more than 30 years, it gives me a good feeling.
6. What is your ultimate goal?
My focus is on keeping the company healthy. A condition for that is to stay progressive. Following developments and moving with the times. That means always being open to new opportunities and discovering trends on the market.
7. In what area do you see opportunities for the future for horticulture?
The Netherlands must take the lead in sustainable circular horticulture. I think we need to seek rapprochement with the environmental movements. By listening to each other and looking together for solutions to the light scattering and waste mountain caused by greenhouse horticulture. We have embarked on the path of sustainability and, as far as I am concerned, we can go even further. The same goes for the automation of labor.
8. In what area do you see threats to the future of the sector?
Working in horticulture does not appeal to young people. I worry about staff shortages in the future. Already now it is difficult to get people. Here, for seasonal work, it is not so bad because we have little competition from other companies. Schoolboys still cycle 15 kilometers to come and work here. But getting permanent employees to work in horticulture is not easy.
9. What is your most important tip to other horticultural entrepreneurs?
Set a goal and hit a pole. Standing still is going backwards. So I always say: look ahead and keep developing. Build a good team of people around you, and make sure they stay.
10. Finally, who would you pass this interview on to and why?
Who: Den Berk Delice, Hoogstraten
Why: Association of four tomato growers
