Some partnerships don’t start at a desk, but through encounters, shared ambitions, and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit. That’s how the relationship between Insumos Holambra and Van Nifterik Holland began as well. We have now been working together successfully for more than twelve years, and we can look back on a remarkable journey.
The story begins in 2013 at the Trade Fair in Aalsmeer. Several Brazilian growers were present at the fair, and after a number of productive conversations and the exchange of business cards, the first contacts were made. What began as a tentative exploration at the time resulted as early as 2014 in the first containers being shipped from the Netherlands to Brazil.
Through André van Kruijssen, who was then the director of the flower auction in Holambra and is now once again affiliated with Plantion, René (commercial manager Van Nifterik) subsequently came into contact with Insumos. André played an important role in the development of the auction in Holambra, the largest flower auction in South America, which is heavily inspired by the Dutch auction system.
Since Plantion and Van Nifterik already knew each other from their joint activities within the BT A12 business association, André introduced René to Ronaldo Kivietsbosch, then president of Insumos.
It soon became clear that Insumos was much more than just a local organization. It is a large cooperative in Holambra, Brazil’s premier horticultural region, home to the largest concentration of growers in South America. Many of these companies have Dutch roots and are members of the cooperative.
After several discussions, Insumos decided to ship the first consolidated container from Van Nifterik. At the time, we were still operating out of our warehouse in Ede. It turned out to be a challenging consolidated container carrying products from various suppliers. We handled all the logistics: from storage and space planning to export documentation and transportation.
The contents were very diverse: horticultural supplies, agricultural products, parts for poultry houses, packaging materials, machinery, and, of course, bamboo. It was quite a challenge, but the container arrived safely in Brazil. That success marked the beginning of a long-term partnership.
Shortly thereafter, we received an invitation to participate in Hortitec in Holambra, Brazil’s leading horticultural trade show.
René still remembers that first visit vividly. After arriving at the airport, it turned out that hardly anyone spoke English. Just finding the rental car was an adventure in itself. Then we set off for Holambra—in the middle of the Brazilian winter, in the dark, in the pouring rain, and with a TomTom that didn’t always know where I was.
It turned out later that transportation had actually been arranged for him, but the taxi driver had forgotten about it. His arrival at his accommodations didn’t go quite according to plan either. Thanks to some improvisation, a lot of gesturing, and the help of a friendly older lady, he eventually made it to the right place after all.
It turned out to be a glimpse of a country where personal relationships ultimately matter much more than perfect planning.
During that first trip, René met André van Kruijssen again. From that point on, he was allowed to stay with him on nearly every visit to Holambra. This not only gave him a place to sleep, but above all, it provided him with a unique insight into the local horticulture sector.
André took him to the auction, introduced him to growers, and even gave Van Nifterik the opportunity to be the sole supplier present at the so-called market auction. This was a unique position, as this platform is normally intended exclusively for growers.
In addition, we hit it off immediately with Geraldo, the general manager of Insumos. During Hortitec, we set up our own Van Nifterik section at the Insumos booth. Although the language was still a challenge at times, we quickly established valuable contacts.
By attending local gatherings, barbecues, and events, we got to know the Holambra community better and better. Growers appreciated that a Dutch supplier was actually investing in the region and taking them seriously.
That laid the foundation for a long-lasting relationship based on trust.
The years that followed were all about building the business. René invested a lot of time in learning Portuguese and, together with Geraldo, visited growers in the region several times a year. Step by step, Van Nifterik’s reputation grew.
Today, we’re a well-established name within Holambra. Growers know where to find us, and even when we receive direct requests, we always coordinate with Insumos. That open communication has ensured that our partnership has only grown stronger over the years.
Whereas the focus used to be primarily on knowledge exchange with the Netherlands, we now see growers, auction organizations, and cooperatives traveling worldwide to discover new developments. In addition to the Netherlands, China is now also high on the agenda.
In 2018, Insumos visited China with us for the first time. During that trip, we visited our factory, suppliers in Qingdao and Shanghai, and, of course, the IPM trade show. It was an impressive trip that not only showcased Van Nifterik’s international capabilities but also further strengthened our bond.
This year, we had the pleasure of welcoming no fewer than nineteen representatives from Insumos to China. Together, we visited our factory, our suppliers, the IPM, and the Canton Fair. During this visit, we also took the time to discuss our partnership in detail.
At our factory, we celebrated the partnership with a festive reception and a cake we shared together. It was a symbolic moment that perfectly captures what this relationship is all about: trust, mutual respect, and building the future together.
Looking back on the past twelve years, René is especially proud of what we’ve built together. What began with a few conversations at a trade show in Aalsmeer has grown into a close partnership that transcends borders, languages, and continents.
And when René looks to the future, he can say with confidence: “The bond between Insumos and Van Nifterik is stronger than ever.”
