Waterdrinker, OZ planten and Hamiplant join forces to become Dutch Plant Group

Waterdrinker is one of the international floriculture sector’s largest plant trading companies. Known for its focus on product innovation and collaboration with growers and breeders, Waterdrinker employs 350 people in its continual operation supplying all kinds of businesses, from individual florists to retail multiples. Two years ago, Waterdrinker opened Europe’s largest trade and wholesale plant purchasing centre, the Green Trade Center (GTC) in Aalsmeer. GTC offers an enormous range of plants and accessories, in which novelties and innovation are a prominent feature.

OZ Planten supplies wholesalers, florist chains and retail multiples such as garden centres and DIY stores, as well as specialist retailers in the Netherlands and all around Europe. OZ Planten promotes “passion for plants” via a relationship-oriented approach with both growers and customers.

Hamiplant is dedicated to supplying retail multiples such as supermarket chains, garden centres and DIY stores, as well as various European wholesalers and specialist retailers. One of the Westland area’s leading floriculture businesses, Hamiplant’s position specialising in indoor and garden plants has been significantly strengthened in recent years, partly as a result of successfully integrating Vida Verde, E. den Dekker (EDD), DRC and, most recently, Dames Plants.

Sustainability is an area in which all three of these companies play a leading role, having already worked within the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) for years, as well as being partners in the IRBC (International Responsible Business Conduct) Covenant for the sector.
Sustainable sourcing, based on certifications from the “FSI Basket of Standards”, is fully implemented within their purchasing processes and is an integral aspect of their network of growers.

There will be no change to the way Waterdrinker, OZ Planten and Hamiplant serve their individual customers through their existing account teams. However, the opportunities arising from the enlarged shared grower network will be used to offer a wider range of plants and exclusive varieties.

There will also be no changes to the individual companies’ management. Board members Bob Moria and Mariska Foppen (Waterdrinker), Henk-Willem Spaargaren (OZ Planten) and Leon Buskermolen (Hamiplant) will form an umbrella team focussing on a number of joint strategic themes such as product innovation, supply chain optimisation and digitalisation.