On Friday 8 December 2023, Royal Berry received the second Pearl Award of 2023. This company excels in the areas of human capital, sustainability and a focus on innovation. Founder and owner Jan van Genderen speaks proudly about receiving the award.
Royal Berry is a strawberry farm that has been based in Bemmel since 2009. The company has grown significantly since then. Councillor Nick Hubers of Lingewaard Municipality explains why Royal Berry was chosen for the award. “Royal Berry is a driven enterprise. Every day, the company works with passion and care to create a healthy working environment and, of course, to produce the perfect strawberry. Key distinguishing factors are the number of employees and the scale of production. Royal Berry makes a major contribution to the Dutch horticultural and food industries with innovative solutions to societal challenges. For this reason, research institutions such as Wageningen University are keen to collaborate with the company.”
Growing like cabbage
Although Royal Berry is currently a major player in the region, the company's roots are modest. "When I was seventeen, I started growing strawberries on a very small scale," van Genderen says. "I was working with only 0.4 hectares. When I outgrew that place, it was time to look to the future. In 2009, I got the chance to sell the old location and move to this area. That turned out to be a fantastic choice. Here there was space, support and support from the region. The location is just a perfect fit!"
Meanwhile, that 0.4 hectare has grown to 47 hectares of greenhouse space, in which over 300 employees produce some 8 million kilos of strawberries annually.
Focus on sustainability
Van Genderen says that during every step of the growth process, Royal Berry looks for the most sustainable choice that is feasible. "We have always been willing to do things differently, and not just act out of self-interest. It all has to contribute to the environment."
For example, the company generates as much of its own energy as possible. "We generate much of our energy with solar panels. We supply excess energy back to regional companies. We also use LED lighting in the greenhouses, which saves about 50 per cent energy compared to traditional lighting."
Van Genderen explains how his company is also looking for solutions that are less obvious. "We are building a residential park near our greenhouses. This will allow us to provide housing for international employees without putting pressure on the regional housing market. Sustainability is also important here. Employees can cycle to work, which saves emissions. Moreover, we plant new nature in the residential park and lay footpaths. So we are trying to give back to the environment in many ways."
Satisfied employees, satisfied customers
"You could say we are strawberry crazy. We are just very enthusiastic about the product and want to contribute to people's health and offer them a piece of happiness, however small. When we see that our customers enjoy it, it stimulates us too."
That feeling is something Jan wants to share with every employee. "We believe that everyone wants to be part of the winning team. If you have happy employees, it also benefits the product. That's how you end up in a positive spiral. It gives energy to excel in what you do: the higher you climb the mountain, the more beautiful the view becomes."
Apetrots
"The award is a very nice cherry on the strawberry cake. It confirms that we are on the right track. That is nice for our employees, but it also radiates to the surrounding area. I hope it will inspire other companies. There are many companies doing super great things. It is good to show what we can do together and to be proud of it. If we nurture that innovation, it gives energy for a sustainable future."
