In 2012 the then-logistics service provider, Mooy Logistics and Expertise firm, HDG | the fruit consultants joined forces. They formed a subsidiary called HDG Services. The goal was to combine both companies' extensive experience to broaden their range of services.
There was a need for quality inspections and overseas fruit expertise services, even after Mooy went bankrupt. HDG Services has since grown from two to 15 employees. The company has grabbed the new year by the horns. They will continue - still under the HDG Survey Group flag - with a new name: Fruitify Experts.
Leander van Bellen
"This new name and modern image make our core business far more visible. We've also clearly distinguished ourselves from our sister company HDG | the fruit consultants. That often confused clients. We'll continue to work with HDG | the fruit consultants. But people will recognize our new name and image more easily. We'll keep doing the same activities with the same team and the same service," says director Leander van Bellen.
"It's no coincidence that our logo is shaped like an iris. We're our clients' eyes, whether they're supermarkets, importers, or overseas producers. This work brings with it a high level of responsibility. The logo also points to the good mutual trust between our clients and us." Leander is a NIVRE (Netherlands Institute of Register Experts Foundation) expert. He, therefore, has years of fruit and vegetable quality control experience.
Fruitify Experts' head office is in Ridderkerk, the Netherlands. They have two other branches in that country too. According to Leander, attracting enough staff is a major challenge for the future. "Nobody trains as a quality controller at school. That's why we try to introduce more people to our great line of work via social media. There will always be enough fruit to inspect."
"But to grow, we need new employees. We do internal as well as external training. So, we have a nice mix of junior and senior employees. And we have a lot of in-house knowledge. Retailers will probably have to meet higher requirements over the years. Our expertise means we'll play an ever-more important role here. Ultimately, our clients want to receive good comprehensive reports, on time."
Van Bellen considers the skyrocketing import of products like avocados and blueberries as a significant recent development. And he thinks data use will become increasingly important in the coming years. "HDG developed software packaging called QC4U. Thanks to this, we have a wealth of information in-house. That includes photos and images. This will become increasingly attractive for our clients in the future," Leander concludes.
For more information:
Leander van Bellen
Fruitify Experts
120 Handelsweg
2988 DC, Ridderkerk, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 880 242 800
Email: vanbellen@fruitifyexperts.com
Website: www.fruitifyexperts.com/