Recently it was announced that the Best Fresh Group has taken over the assets of the bankrupt nursery A.C. Hartman in Sexbierum, the Netherlands. This way, a restart was realized and the production and supply to existing customers can be continued. The receiver and a spokesperson on behalf of Best Fresh Group confirmed this.
During the takeover talks, which started after the bankruptcy verdict on November 1, the grower of cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes continued to work as normal on the entire 58 hectares. "A big advantage, so that a quick restart remained possible", receiver Hillie Lunter tells us the day after the news about the restart. "Best Fresh has taken over the assets, which means the real estate such as the greenhouses and all movable items such as machines and the like and can make a fresh start."
Bankruptcy investigation independent of restart
The bankruptcy procedure has not been completed yet. "After a period of intensive takeover talks, we will now investigate the causes of the bankruptcy. In accordance with the rules, I will do an initial report within four weeks, followed by an update every three months."
The creditors will also be listed. "Best Fresh is completely uninvolved," Lunter assures.
'Nursery side' included
For Best Fresh, the focus in the coming period will be on getting to know the staff (seventy people fixed contract), customers and the cultivation methods. With the takeover the import and export company will have added a substantial nursery, said Dick Braakhekke, spokesperson on behalf of Best Fresh. "The company wanted that and with Hartman, the opportunity now arose."
The 'normal delivery' to the customers will continue through Hartman. "With the advantage that via Best Fresh also direct delivery to retailers is possible, if customers want it that way", said Braakhekke. The management of Best Fresh did not want to go into further details themselves. "The ink has just dried." In the coming period, it will become clear what investments will have to be made.