Green Specialties Holland, Lierop (2017)

Adrie and Hennie Van Den Einden built Green Specialties Holland (GSH) from a traditional vegetable nursery into one of the leading suppliers of high-quality leafy vegetables, including spinach, rucola, baby-leaf and lamb’s lettuce. The activities of Green Specialties span all links in the distribution chain – from cultivation on 150 hectares to harvesting, processing, packaging and sales. In this way, the company guarantees the quality of its products.

Innovation has become second nature at Green Specialties Holland. The assortment of leafy vegetables is constantly increasing with the addition of new products. This stems from personal contacts that the company maintains with end users. Green Specialties Holland sees itself as a down-to-earth company from the Dutch province of Brabant. They are also ambitious and geared towards growth, but not at the expense of the quality of their products and services. Sustainable solutions are part of their activities, such as solar panels, optimum water provision and purification, cultivation according to the guidelines of Milieukeur (environmental agency) and use of natural, green fertilisers.

The jury felt that Green Specialties Holland is an outstanding business. The company, which started off producing field-grown vegetables, has developed from being a raw material producer into supplier of ready-to-cook products. The guaranteed freshness prevents wastage in the chain. This market-oriented company supports customers by supplying them with bespoke concepts throughout the year. It also invests in long-term collaborations with suppliers and buyers at home and abroad, which means that the company’s future is secure. A lot of attention is paid to sustainability. This is reflected in the production process where water purification, energy production and soil improvement are essential elements.