Our history

Joost Gietelink CFO Dutch Flower Group as of 1 June 2022

Jan van Dam CEO Dutch Flower Group

Founding father FloriWorld

A flowers and plants experience centre for consumers.

Establishment of Dutch Plant Group

Comprising Waterdrinker, Hamiplant and OZ Planten.

Dutch Flower Group celebrates its 20^th anniversary

Winner of the NBCC Stronger Together Award

An award which recognised DFG’s transparent and enduring cooperation with UK retailers, together with our support preparing them for Brexit and being a “frontrunner for sustainability”.

Winner of the Family Businesses Award 2018

Awarded Enterprise of the Year (North Holland)

Winner National Enterprise of the Year Award

This prize was awarded to DFG for its business family’s “unique entrepreneurship and rapid growth since 1999”.

Founding father of World Horti Center

Where horticultural education connects with the business community.

Ranked number 1 in the Hillenraad 100

Awarded Enterprise of the Year (Aalsmeer)

Ranked number 1 in the Hillenraad 100

Awarded EY Master Entrepeneur of the Year

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award is the most prestigious entrepreneurial award in the world. Marco van Zijverden was the recipient of this award, a big honour.

Ranked number 1 in the Hillenraad 500+

This is the overall category for companies with an annual turnover greater than €500 million or employing more than 1,000 people in the Netherlands.

Founding partner Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI)

An international platform for improving sustainability in the floriculture sector.

Ranked all-time number 1 in the Hillenraad 100

Entrepreneur of the Year – Aalsmeer

Ride for the roses

In 2011, DFG became a sponsor of Ride for the Roses, the annual cycling event devoted to raising funds for the KWF Dutch Cancer Society. At the same time, DFG also started working together with Albert Heijn and Bloom to organise the special Ride for the Roses rose promotion, the week before the event.

Strategic alliance with Mavuno Network

In April 2011, DFG entered into a strategic alliance with Mavuno Network. This resulted in stronger cooperation with Kenyan flower farm Oserian, while its marketing companies (including Bloom) and Airflo became incorporated under the DFG banner.

DFG co-founder Art van Duijn receives royal recognition

Winner of the Horticulture Industry Enterprise Prize (Tuinbouw Ondernemersprijs)

Ranked number 1 in the Hillenraad 100 for the third successive year

New premises for OZ Export in Aalsmeer

OZ Export’s newly constructed premises in Aalsmeer opened by Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Ranked number 1 in the Hillenraad 100

The list of leading companies in the Dutch horticulture sector.

DFG in Westland received a visit from Princess Máxima of the Netherlands

Founding of Dutch Flower Foundation

At the same time Dutch Flower Group was established, Dutch Flower Foundation was set up to make a social contribution by supporting the wellbeing of people in need, particularly children, both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Foundation Dutch Flower Group

OZ Group from Aalsmeer and Van Duijn Group from Naaldwijk decide to merge, forming Dutch Flower Group (DFG). From the very start, DFG has been a unique family of specialised trading companies which, together, are able to supply the entire floriculture sector.

Establishment of Van Duijn Groep

Founding of OZ

Flower grower Arie Ofman and businessman Klaas van Zijverden decide to set up a flower and plant export company, OZ Export, which has been in business ever since.