“Only with high quality one can get the repeating purchase by customers” says Ms. Geeske Punt, head of ‘Knowledge Centre for Product Quality’ (former ‘Test center’) in FloraHolland. The centre exists already 25 years, and is doing mid-term practical research. Its objective is improving the product’s value for the consumer. “We focus on vase-life, and on post-harvest treatments; we don’t do basic research", explains Geeske. The Centre has research facilities in Naaldwijk, in Rijnsburg, and in Aalsmeer. Some 60% of the researchers’ time is spent on jobs that have been ordered by breeders, exporters, or growers and growers’ clusters. There are also research orders from supermarket chains, and even some from florists. The rest of the time is dedicated for missions initiated by FloraHolland.
“The demand for our services had no recession” says Geeske Punt; “Quality is not anymore something you try to spare; one must keep quality to survive in the market”.
The Knowledge Center provides its customers with advice as to the optimal conditions to keep the product along the whole chain. It supports retailers in their ‘Vase Life Guarantee’ programs. The Center also carries out the tests for the various quality competitions held by FloraHolland, and carries out the follow-up inspections for the ‘Vase Life Tested’ label, which certifies controlled vase life, and allows using the ‘positive quality remark’ Vase Life Tested during the auctioning process.
“Growers use the follow-up results to promote their products; but also to analyze and set criteria for selecting their future assortment”, clarifies Henk Barendse, team leader and senior researcher. And Geeske Punt summarizes: “Awareness to quality is a must; the only way to keep one’s position in the market”.
Want to know more? – Contact your FloraHolland account manager or e-mail your question to internationalservicedesk@floraholland.nl.
Source: FloraHolland