Westfalia Marketing Ltd has been awarded first place, 2016, by the National Business Success Award Institute in the category Subtropical Fruit Wholesaler. According to the Nomination Commission, the company has developed itself to be a leading organisation with a strong position and an excellent reputation. “Westfalia Marketing knows how to combine its enormous professional knowledge with an innovative approach, which is why it scores very highly in customer satisfaction. A gem in the Dutch fresh produce industry.”
In Westfalia Marketing, the Nomination Commission of the National Business Success Award Institute sees a progressive organisation that is expected to also be successful in future. “On a market that is continually moving, Westfalia knows how to anticipate new developments and is often one step ahead of its competitors.”
Striving for responsible agricultural business is an important pillar of operational management. “Westfalia guards the quality of its products and the environment where the products are cultivated or processed,” says Robert Zwaan, head of the daily Nomination Commission. “Besides, it keeps close track of the needs of the customers. Parent company Hans Merensky Group wants to be an industry leader, and sustainability and environment are a part of that. On their own plantations, mostly in South Africa, mangoes, citrus and avocados are the main products. Employees regularly travel to this area to learn everything about the products they supply. Besides cultivating fruit, Westfalia is increasingly active in distribution, marketing and sales. The company has been successful in these fields all over the world — and especially in the Netherlands.”
Success is achieved by working together
Westfalia is well-known for being a humane company. Zwaan: “In the hard world of fruit and vegetables, this can be called remarkable. Manager Paul Blokzijl has really turned his company into something special. He enjoys being socially responsible, and pays attention to his employees, because success is achieved by working together. High returns and very good terms of employment give a dynamic that is hardly every found.” Blokzijl: “It is very simple: if the employees are good to me, I have to make sure I am good to them. This expresses itself in many ways for everyone, from high up to low on the corporate ladder, because we work as a team.”
The jury is of the opinion that Westfalia Marketing Ltd can be declared the winner in the Subtropical Fruit Wholesaler’s branch on these grounds. “Passion, innovation capacity, courage and vision, and a strong focus on customers make this organisation a winner.”