"We want to green the Netherlands"

"Look, this is where it's going to happen soon," says Siem Hoogeveen (58), as he looks out over a sizable 130,000-square-meter plot. "We have purchased this land and are going to completely furnish it with greenhouses, outdoor field, a hall and a water basin. "You won't be surprised that we are having the cultivation floors installed here by ErfGoed as well."

Hoogeveen Plants was founded by Siem 36 years ago. The new building plans symbolize the entrepreneur's energy and ambition. "It's not a family business in the classic sense of the word, but that's actually how I see it. We really do it together as a team: young employees and experienced people mixed together. We go for long-term strategic solutions so that future generations can also continue with this company."

Crowning glory

The company now grows plants on 38 acres, currently spread across 14 locations.
"We produce garden plants in four categories: climbing plants, such as wisteria and wild vine, fruit plants, hellebores and a range of bam-boe, grasses and ferns. The plants are on the shelves of garden centers and hardware stores under the brand name "My perfect garden. I enjoy it when we grow plants that delight consumers: plants that are resilient and strong.

Then they come into their own in all gardens, even for people who do not have a green thumb. It's not only important to me that our crops pay off well, but a crowning glory when consumers come back and ask specifically about our assortment at the companies we supply to."

Skilled approach

Since Hoogeveen has been working with ErfGoed, the company has done three projects. To the gardener's complete satisfaction. "The ErfGoedVloer drains well, and it is a sturdy floor, which also stays well horizontal. Everything it takes to lay a good floor has to be done thoughtfully, with good timing and the commitment of skilled people. I see that at ErfGoed. For our new building, they prepared the process very well, with detailed drawings. It's quite a puzzle, which also involves a lot of coordination with other suppliers, such as the greenhouse builder. They do that very well."

Combination of water technology and floor

ErfGoed will be laying 85,000 square metres of new flooring in the new greenhouses. They are also taking care of the water technology. "I see it as a big plus that ErfGoed is taking care of that integrally. The water system and the floor are so closely intertwined, it's ideal that this is in good hands with the same company."

Future-oriented work also means that Hoogeveen sets great store by sustainability. "When making investments, we take this into account as much as possible. In new construction, we are investing in solar collectors, a closed water system, and striking water wells for heating. At ErfGoed, I also appreciate the innovative nature. They keep developing and are solution-oriented. That's in smaller things like how the ground cloth is attached to the concrete paths and in big things like new ways to regulate the climate around the plant. In ErfGoed, we have a partner who is just as driven as we are."

Bright future

Siem sees a bright future: "Green is a trend and has the future. With the growing focus on the climate and what people can do about it themselves, the demand for beautiful and strong garden plants will only grow. Locally, there are more and more initiatives to exchange tiles for greenery. It is our ambition to green the gardens in the Netherlands."

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