Rijk Zwaan is proud to announce the opening of a new facility in De Lier. This expansion increases the fruit and vegetable breeding company’s capacity for seed cleaning, processing, storage and packaging to continue to meet the growing demand for seeds. In a ceremony attended by colleagues, construction partners and Bouke Arends, mayor of the Municipality of Westland, the new ‘Seed Connect Centre’ was officially opened on Tuesday 8 April.
To ensure they meet the highest standards of quality, the seeds produced by Rijk Zwaan worldwide are processed and packaged in De Lier before going to customers across the globe. Hubertien Doldersum, Manager Operations, explains: “We work with a very wide range of equipment and processing techniques. This is necessary to process and package the 30 crops and 1,800 varieties in our assortment in such a way that we comply with all laws and regulations, and meet the high quality expectations of our customers.”
The global demand for high-quality fruit and vegetable seeds is rising. By increasing Rijk Zwaan’s capacity for seed cleaning, processing, storage and packaging, the new Seed Connect Centre enables the company to keep pace with this trend. The building plans for the Seed Connect Centre took account of feedback from the local community: immediate neighbours, De Lier Heritage Working Group, Nature Association Central Delfland, and the Delfland Water Board.
In consultation with the De Lier Heritage Working Group, a public footpath featuring historical elements was created on the Rijk Zwaan site to replace the former footpath. To compensate for cutting down a number of pollard willows, new trees have been planted. Additionally, the existing watercourse was widened from 1.5 to 12 metres, which has significantly improved water drainage from De Lier.
Mayor Bouke Arends: “It’s wonderful news that the ‘Perdiksepad’ will be preserved in a new form. This historic path, which has served as an important connection for centuries, will remain a place where people can walk and enjoy the surroundings. Thanks to the efforts of Rijk Zwaan and the local community, a piece of history will stay alive in a renewed setting.”
