Name any South African or South American grower with a sales office in the Netherlands, and chances are they are supported by RAAD International from Ridderkerk. For more than 35 years, John van Wijk has been helping entrepreneurs establish business structures with a focus on the long term, ensuring companies maintain control over their costs and financial processes. "Our clients simply want to conduct business properly, without unpleasant surprises afterwards," he says.
RAAD International's reach extends far beyond the Netherlands. From its Ridderkerk base, the company supports entrepreneurs and global players looking to enter the European market, while its back-office operations are handled by offices in Cape Town and Istanbul. These offices also assist in establishing foreign companies in South Africa and in accessing Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. "We support companies from South Korea to northern Canada. More than 70% of our 450 clients operate in the fresh produce sector or directly related industries such as logistics, quality control, packaging, or certification."
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Bond for life
John is hardly a typical accountant. During the interview, his frequent bursts of laughter made that clear. "We're not just here for bookkeeping and tax returns, that's how we attract clients, but in the end, that's a side matter. We are now developing an AI tool that will handle 95% of that traditional bookkeeping work for us. Our real strength is serving as a sparring partner for international entrepreneurs. And with them, you often build a bond for life."
"Doing business in the Americas, Europe, or Africa means taking into account tax regulations, market risks, currency flows, legal obligations, and banking structures. We provide support in navigating that complexity," John continues. Over the past year and a half, he has invested heavily in training his team of eight in the Netherlands. "We distinguish ourselves with HBO-trained staff and hold the NOAB quality mark."
The best years for RAAD? "Those come during crises. We always thrive in times of crisis; that's when entrepreneurs get creative. When Trump announced tariffs, for example, a grower in South America or Africa would quickly start looking at other markets," John explains. While the arrival of foreign growers' sales offices in the Netherlands was initially seen as a threat by established importers, John says they now increasingly view them as an addition to their business model.
RAAD offers services for setting up a virtual sales office. "Our role is to lay the foundation so companies can focus on growth. We take a pragmatic approach. We don't work with standard packages; we look at what the entrepreneur truly needs. We don't sit in the entrepreneur's chair, but we make sure the chair is stable. We make clear agreements, offer practical solutions, and truly operate as a team, maintaining short lines of communication."
For more information:
John van Wijk
RAAD International
Krommeweg 10 - Unit 5
2988 CB Ridderkerk
Tel: +31 (0)88 2702700
[email protected]
www.raadinternational.com
