Quality manager Liewe Smit changed from Jaguar to Witkamp this summer and has an exclusive number of tasks to optimize the organization. One of which is the responsibility for quality support of the growers, the new selling system and staff matters are his responsibility.
Part of this optimizing activity was formulating a vision, in which the basic values and the policy are mentioned. "Witkamp invested in a new buying and selling system with an EDI and heading in the direction of retail. Recently we informed suppliers of our plans and the reactions are good. It is often difficult to find a solution made to measure. Here at Witkamp we are used to turning over a large volume with relatively few people and we would prefer to keep it this way." This is to be facilitated in order to keep a good commercial parcel.
The core business of Witkamp is the direct supply of cucumber and tomato and that will certainly remain so, according to Liewe. "But we also look at other products. We have started with Dutch Conference pears and cresses and Asian vegetables have been part of the parcel for years already. But clients can come to us for the entire assortment, from cherries and melons to aubergines and chilli peppers. There are about fifty growers supplying us and in the coming year I want to visit them regularly in order to find out how we can satisfy the specific wishes of the client in the best way possible."
For years now Witkamp imported fruit and vegetables, since 2009 the import activities are with Witkamp Import. The company has an extensive grower network in Spain and has good contacts in Morocco, Turkey and Israel, especially in the area of glasshouse vegetables, so that they can supply their clients all year round.
For more information:
Lieuwe Smit
NJ Witkamp BV.
NJ Witkamp BV.
T: 0174-282930
F: 0174-282905