Dominique Severijns of Verco
Investments
The reason Dominique was interested in Verca was because this company had been a good customers of export company DBS from Sint-Katelijne-Waver, a company that he runs with Gunther de Boelpaep. "After the loss of Russia we worked hard to get West African countries, among others, as customers. We also invested in adjustments and new machines for rinsing, optically sorting and packaging the carrots. We can now sort more correctly and can use a new polisher, which makes the carrots look even better. With all these new techniques we can serve our customers even more specifically."
Investments
The reason Dominique was interested in Verca was because this company had been a good customers of export company DBS from Sint-Katelijne-Waver, a company that he runs with Gunther de Boelpaep. "After the loss of Russia we worked hard to get West African countries, among others, as customers. We also invested in adjustments and new machines for rinsing, optically sorting and packaging the carrots. We can now sort more correctly and can use a new polisher, which makes the carrots look even better. With all these new techniques we can serve our customers even more specifically."
Different packaging
The carrots are packaged in bags, trays and flowpack. "There are a lot of possibilities at Verco. We package a lot in 10 kilogram bags for export, the carrots for Belgian retailers mainly go into trays and flowpack. The labels are mainly private."
The carrots are packaged in bags, trays and flowpack. "There are a lot of possibilities at Verco. We package a lot in 10 kilogram bags for export, the carrots for Belgian retailers mainly go into trays and flowpack. The labels are mainly private."
One of Verco's packaging options.
Not easy
The season 2016/2017 was difficult. "There was a lot of supply everywhere, also in countries that normally have less carrots, such as Poland, the Czech Republic or Romania. There were few 'holes' we were able to fill. It also isn't easy at the moment as the new season has started, but there is still old harvest in the way. It isn't clear how much there still is, so it's an uncertain time and this pressures the prices. In other years the old harvest was usually already gone." The competition was extra tough this year due to this. "When everyone is busy they are working with their own customers, but when there is surplus you meet each other everywhere."
Not easy
The season 2016/2017 was difficult. "There was a lot of supply everywhere, also in countries that normally have less carrots, such as Poland, the Czech Republic or Romania. There were few 'holes' we were able to fill. It also isn't easy at the moment as the new season has started, but there is still old harvest in the way. It isn't clear how much there still is, so it's an uncertain time and this pressures the prices. In other years the old harvest was usually already gone." The competition was extra tough this year due to this. "When everyone is busy they are working with their own customers, but when there is surplus you meet each other everywhere."
New season
Dominique indicates that the expectations for 2017/2018 are better. "I don't have crystal ball of course, but a smaller volume is expected in general, due to the drought. Now we just need to get rid of the old harvest, and then we will be able to start a good new season." The Verco carrots come from Belgian and Dutch growers. Around 50% is contract cultivation. "In the coming years we want to strengthen our contacts with the producer and customer. We also hope to realise a healthy growth. We have gone through a lot of difficult moments already, but are now on the rise. We define ourselves with quality and our method of working is still valued by our customers."
For more information:
NV Verco
1133 Industrieterrein "Oude Bunders"
Scheepstraat 13
3630 Maasmechelen
Tel.: 0032(0)89 778500
Mob.: 0032(0)472 306095
Fax: 0032(0)89 760047
dominique@nvverco.be
www.nvverco.be