By appointing Jan Roelofs as a new board member, MPS took the first step towards an international board on Wednesday 28 November. MPS is taking this path following on from its collaboration with the FFP association and as a result of the increasing demand for MPS certificates abroad. Jan Roelofs will promote the interests of German flower and plant trade on the board.
Germany currently has the largest market area for flowers and plants, which is one of the main reasons why MPS decided to expand the board to include a German member. Jan Roelofs is president of the BGI, the German association of flower wholesalers and import agents. He represents the organisation and its supporters on the MPS board, which is important for the further development of the Fair Flowers Fair Plants label in Germany. Jan Roelofs has a great deal of experience in the flower sector. Together with his son, he runs the largest trading firm for cut flowers in Bavaria (www.blumen-roelofs.de). With this background and experience, Jan Roelofs is a welcome addition to the board.
International position
MPS certificates have been highly regarded on the international market for many years, and therefore form the basis of the requirements imposed by many retailers on their suppliers. The MPS label is used in countries all over the world, including Japan, the US, Central and South America, Africa and Europe. Coordinators in these countries are close to the market and ensure that clients are given the best possible service. In the years ahead, the MPS board will continue to take steps to further expand its international support base.
New composition of the MPS board
• Gerrit Ravensberger (chairman)
• Fred Starrenburg (secretary)
• Nico Koomen, NAKT (vice-chairman)
• Dick Hylkema, LTO Noord Glaskracht
• Robert Roodenburg, VGB
• Gijs Kok, FloraHolland
• Floris Olthof, FloraHolland
• Jan Roelofs, BGI-ev
BGI promotes the national interests of German cut flower and pot plant wholesalers and import agents. BGI aims to promote and maintain the sustainability and health of the flower and plant trade in Germany. In addition, the German association represents its members in its dealings with national and international governments, institutes, associations and other bodies. For further information, please visit www.bgi-ev.de.
Source: MPS