Netherlands blueprint international growth

Earlier this year, LC Packaging introduced a third division in the company, in addition to Agri and FIBC: Cardboard. With two own cardboard factories and Hungary and Belgium, the family business chooses to give cardboard a more prominent position in the company. LC Packaging is also looking to new markets to grow further, with the Netherlands as a blueprint. Boudewijn van Fraassen, director Agri, talks about growing markets, pointing to the agricultural sector as the sector with potential for the coming decades.

The Dutch market provides little room for growth for now, but with an international network of sales agencies and production locations, Boudewijn still sees plenty of potential across the border. “In the Netherlands, the market has stopped growing. It’s mainly the fluctuations in volumes that get the market moving. Abroad, we’re seeing a lot of potential for growth.” In addition, the Dutch approach is to serve as a blueprint for foreign locations. “The Dutch market is fast and dynamic, which means we have to be able to supply fast. You shouldn’t underestimate that.”

With locations in Hungary and Romania, the packaging company is already active in Eastern Europe. The growth for the coming ten years, Boudewijn says, is in Africa. “New regions where we want to grow in the coming years in terms of fruit and veg packagings, are West Africa, South Africa and Latin America. The middle class has more to spend there, which offers a lot of potential. In addition, the cultivation areas there are expanding fast. Knowledge is bought, and the entrepreneurs themselves are also learning. In West Africa, for instance, they’re increasingly seeing the importance of good packaging.”

In 2014, LC Packaging opened an office in Ivory Coast, where they see growth potential in the agricultural sector: “We always work with regular partners, going for long-term relations. We see that in Africa there’s a preference for a company that’s located in Africa, and preferably an African company, to do business with.”

Finally, Boudewijn sees a big future for the agricultural sector. “Ten years ago, you had to invest in ICT and high-tech to be a part of the club. These days, banks and financial institutions are also convinced that the agricultural sector is booming. The growing global population, partly because people live longer, offers a lot of potential for the future.”

More information:
LC Packaging
Boudewijn van Fraassen
Postbus 137
2910 AC
Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel
The Netherlands
T +31 180 39 38 37
F +31 180 39 38 99
www.lcpackaging.nl
bvfraassen@lcpackaging.com