Jan de Wit en Zonen B.V. | About us

Jan de Wit en Zonen B.V. was established in 1922 by the founder Jan de Wit. We are one of the leading flower bulb companies in Holland as a major grower and exporter. We are still a family company. We have a permanent staff of 20 people in total, including 9 grandsons of the founder. In the summer and winter season we have many part time workers.

The head office is situated in Enkhuizen and we have a production plant in Anna Paulowna. This means that we are located in the centre of the main production areas of flower bulbs of the world.

We are specialized in the production, programming and export of flower bulbs.

We are focused on the long term relationships in every respect, with our customers, suppliers and staff. It is our purpose to be a reliable and stable partner to continue and develop the business cooperation fruitfully. We have many long term national and international relationships, sometimes for over 50 years already, even surpassing generations.

We are producing and working in accordance with the (inter)national quality standards and in respect of the environmental and social requirements.

History

Time table

· 1922

· 1925

· 1933

· 1943

· 1951

· 1952

· 1957

· 1962

· 1964

· 1965

· 1971

· 1972

· 1974

· 1979

· 1983

· 1984

· 1985

· 1988

· 1989

· 1990

· 1992

· 1993

· 1994

· 1995

· 1996

· 1997

· 2001

· 2002

· 2003

· 2004

· 2005

· 2006

· 2007

Production

We grow approximately 45 ha of flower bulbs in our own nurseries. The main product is tulip bulbs, but we also grow iris and hyacinth bulbs. The own production is a strong basis of the company, upon which it could later develop the trading and treatment activities. It is still an important activity, as it not only enables us to obtain a lot of knowledge and experience but also a complete quality control from bulb production to customer. Next to our own production, our flower bulbs are supplied by our carefully selected top quality growers, with whom we have been working already for many years usually.

Our own bulbs are partially grown on clay soils in West-Friesland and on the sandy soils around Anna Paulowna. The location where the bulbs are grown depends on the variety, size and purpose. Moreover, tulips are grown under plastic foil to make them suitable for early forcing, mostly flowering in December.

The main varieties we grow are:

* Tulip:

* Iris: - Blue Magic

* Hyacinth: - Blue Star

The quality control is extremely strict and practically the entire production is certified class I for Japan, which means almost no virus infection.

Programming

By treating the bulbs at a certain temperature, the flowering date of the bulbs can be influenced. We have the most modern computer controlled facilities of cooling and heating treatment systems. During our many years of experience we have built up a great knowledge to treat tulips, irises, lilies, gladiolus, etc. in our own 25 treatment rooms, each at its best conditions. This enables us to supply you with a high quality product year-round. Of course, the after sales service and the growing technical advice of our most experienced staff are also very important to achieve the optimal results and the long-term business relations.

Selection

Over the years, we have selected many original mutations. Most famous are the tulip varieties of the Prominence family, like Yellow Star, Wibo, Scandinavia, Beauty of Prominence and Eurostar. Other well-known examples are: tulip Hermitage, a dark orange mutation of Prinses Irene; iris Madonna, a white mutation of Blue Magic; tulip Acapulco, a pure orange sport of Ad Rem; 3 exclusive mutations of Springgreen, Yellow Springgreen, Red Springgreen and Flaming Springgreen and 3 exclusive Mariette sports: Christina van Kooten (white pink edge), Monica (yellow) and Windmill, a creamy white mutation.

In the 1960s the company has successfully promoted the introduction of iris Blue Magic, the most grown iris variety ever.

In hybridizing, the main achievement is the beautiful red coloured tulip Superstar. This variety was registered in Holland and Japan. Superstar was registered under the name Red Diamond in Japan.

Flower exhibitions

Flower exhibitions have always been important in our history. Jan de Wit was one of the joint founders of the Westfriese Flora (nowadays Holland Flowers Festival) in 1933. This annual, internationally famous, biggest indoor bulb flower exhibition is held in February and the company has been participating already for 75 years. The company has won many trophies at this exhibition, amongst which the "Silver Boat" and the "Silver Tulip" (first prizes for the overall flower arrangement and for the tulip flowers respectively).

Moreover, the company took part 5 times in the International Horticulture Exhibition Floriade. During the Floriade of 1972 they won the gold medal for the best new tulip assortment, which was given to Jan de Wit by Her Royal Highness Queen Juliana. In 1993, we took part in the Third China National Flower Fair in Beijing, China, and in 1997 in the 4th China National Flower Fair in Shanghai. At the latter we also arranged and supplied the tulip bulbs planted in the park. Nowadays, we are also participating in the Keukenhof exhibition.

start of the company as vegetable and potato grower

first tulips are grown

establishment of / first participation in the Westfriese Flora flower exhibition

introduction of tulip Prominence

start export to Germany and Sweden

all seven sons join the company

the company moves from Bovenkarspel to Enkhuizen

start export to Japan

introduction iris Blue Magic

establishment of the production company in Anna Paulowna

continuous expanding of the warehouses and storage rooms

winning the gold medal at the Floriade exhibition, handed out by Queen Juliana

start export to Finland

passing away of the founder Jan de Wit

winner of the Silver Boat at the Westfriese Flora flower exhibition for the first time

start of the lily business

first tulip bulbs shipped to China

first visit to Japan

introduction of Lily Casablanca, Le Reve and Mona in Japan

introduction new computer system ABM Microlegger

start export to Taiwan

new warehouse and cooling facilities: 2,500 m2.

start export to Norway

winner of the Silver tulip at the Westfriese Flora flower exhibition for the first time

participant in the Third China National Flower Fair.

first time harvesting tulip and iris bulbs in net machine on the clay soil

company passed on to the third generation

name giving ceremony for Tulip Hermitage at the famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in Russia

winner of the China Traders Award for the successful introduction of tulips,handed out by the Vice Minister of Economy

new office and warehouse/storage facilities, over 6,000 m2

name giving ceremony of the tulip Monica, named after Sister Monica de Wit of the Sister Augustinessen of the City of God, daughter of the founder Jan de Wit

obtaining MPS-A certificate

introduction of the website www.jandewitenzonen.com, making our business worldwide

opening of the test greenhouse especially for lilies.

introduction Microsoft Dynamics Navision ERP system

start export to Russia

our Mr. Harm Groot is awarded the Colourful Yunnan Friendship Award 2006 by the Chinese province Yunnan

introduction of barcode scanning system for tracking and tracing products in our warehouse

Royal decoration from the Dutch Queen awarded to Mr. S.G. de Wit, who has been a member of the board of directors of Jan de Wit en Zonen B.V. for more than 25 years

- Acapulco

- Asahi

- Ballerina

- Christmas Dream

- Eskimo Chief

- Happy Generation

- Hermitage

- Ile d'Orange

- Mariette and sports

- Marilyn

- Orange Princess

- Pink Diamond

- Pretty Woman

- Red Revival

- Red Mark

- Rococo

- Springgreen and sports

- Stronggold

- Superstar

- World's Favourite

- Yellow Flight

Lily bulbs

We started the lily business when new varieties of Asiatic and Oriental lilies, like Stargazer, Casablanca, Le Reve and Mona were introduced. These varieties were much demanded by our customers in Japan. From the beginning we were one of the first leading suppliers of these champion varieties. Later we were involved early in the introduction of many other new Oriental varieties from the start, like Acapulco, Marco Polo, Sorbonne, Siberia, Tiber, etc. At present, we have distinguished ourselves by promoting the newest varieties, like the exclusive, unique double Oriental Double Surprise, in Japan better known as Aska.

We have a close relationship with the best lily breeders in Holland so that we are able to keep a leading position on the lily market for especially Oriental lilies, but also for the newest OT and L/A hybrids.

Selected growers, with most of whom we have a long-term contract, grow the lily bulbs. After arrival of the bulbs in our cooling facilities, the bulbs are carefully and most strictly inspected. If approved, the bulbs are washed, disinfected, packed and stored in our own modern facilities. We do the entire process in our own facilities and with our own experienced and trained staff to meet the highest quality standards. Since 2005, the company has constructed its own test greenhouse for the quality testing of all the different stocks of lilies we handle. Besides, the newest varieties are tested and shown there.

Export/Trading

Our company is one of the biggest exporters of tulip bulbs, lily bulbs, iris bulbs, etc. We are active in a limited number of markets where we try to be one of the leading suppliers. We always focus on top quality in every aspect, not only the products, but also the service, reliability, communication, delivery, etc.

Our flower bulbs are mainly used by professional growers for the production of cut flowers and pot plants. We also supply bulbs for the dry sale in bulk and for park planting.

Next to our own production we have many long-term relationships with other contract growers, where we obtain the best tulips, irises, lilies, etc. Besides focussing on top quality, we are always investigating and researching the best new varieties, growing techniques and developments for and together with our business partners. This enables us to continue our fruitful business cooperation in the long future.

Thanks for your kind interest in our company. It is always our pleasure to be at your service.