From February 1st this year Remco de Boer - after a long career at Aldi and an interim period with an automotive wholesaler - has been in charge of fruit and vegetable importing and exporting company PeDe in Venlo. The switch to the fruit and vegetable sector has suited the manager. "We are in a competitive market, in which we have to work hard, and the margins are low, but that makes it tiring."
Grapes are key product
The Best Fresh Group subsidiary supplies an assortment of fruit and vegetables, but has a year round grape importing programme, which is rightfully a key product. "We supply a complete assortment of grapes in various colours, with and without seeds, from the production countries Namibia, South Africa, India, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Greece and Peru," says Remco. "We focus on the European market with the grapes, our target group being retailers, exporters and so-called 'one-stop-shopping' customers. We select a specific assortment of grapes for every market, from extra large to medium, with a packaging in tune with the customer."
"We are lucky to have such efficient buying, due to a close collaboration with growers in the region, our own import from European and overseas countries, as well as the purchasing done by subsidiaries within the Best Fresh Group. We have regular product specialists for the product specific demands. The customers have the opportunity to have the entire fruit and vegetable assortment ordered and delivered by one company all year round. Not just fruit and vegetables from Holland, but also import from Southern Europe and exotics and tropical products from overseas production countries," says Remco.
Germany
The target group that needs this type of service, and which PeDe BV has been supplying to for 72 years, consists of traders at markets, catering suppliers, vegetable processing companies, exporters and suppliers for supermarkets located in German speaking and Scandinavian countries, Poland and the Czech Republic. "Germany is worth 65% of our turnover. The name PeDe has become established over of the years, but our year round grape programme has been underexposed, even in Germany. This is why we have this video made, to show our added value."
Germany
The target group that needs this type of service, and which PeDe BV has been supplying to for 72 years, consists of traders at markets, catering suppliers, vegetable processing companies, exporters and suppliers for supermarkets located in German speaking and Scandinavian countries, Poland and the Czech Republic. "Germany is worth 65% of our turnover. The name PeDe has become established over of the years, but our year round grape programme has been underexposed, even in Germany. This is why we have this video made, to show our added value."
With the accession of sales and pilot team of Banken Fruit and Vegetables to PeDe on January 1, the company is able to grow even further in the countries mentioned above, Belgium and Southern European countries. "Banken had around the same assortment as us, but mainly had customers in the North of Germany, whereas we had those in South. The takeover has been spot on. We complement each other and have managed to extend our clientele by offering slightly different products."
For more information:
Remco de Boer
PeDe B.V.
Venrayseweg 122D
5928 RH Venlo
T: +31 77 3230235
F: +31 77 3230299
R.deBoer@pede.nl
www.pede.nl