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Royal Berry & Van Tuijl: Growing Stronger Together
When Royal Berry acquires an existing vegetable farm and converts the greenhouses for strawberry production, a challenge arises immediately. The bay width of 14,8 feet does not match the standard widths for strawberry trays of 39,4 inch or 49,2 inch. That means: puzzle-solving.
To guarantee uniformity and optimal working conditions, in collaboration with Van Tuijl a solution is created: a culti vation tray of 44.1 inch. With the drippers mounted directly on the trays, water and nutrients are delivered precisely to the plants, which is a a crucial prerequisite to make the cultivation efficient and uniform.
Jan van Genderen, owner of Royal Berry: “We want to cultivate exactly as we envision. Uniformity, labor optimization and quality must go hand in hand. That requires a partner who understands that every detail matters. Van Tuijl is flexible, delivers on time and actively contributes ideas. That gives us peace of mind.”
Van Tuijl as Total Supplier
Van Tuijl has been active in the agricultural sector for over a hundred years and develops, manufactures and supplies premium products for nursery, soft fruit and ornamental cultivation. With its own production and logistics, the company guarantees quality and availability.
Concretely, this means for Royal Berry:
“We develop and produce ourselves, which means we have control over the entire chain,” says a project manager at Van Tuijl. “That makes us flexible and gives growers the assurance that commitments will be honored.”
Trust as foundation
The collaboration between Royal Berry and Van Tuijl began in 2010. This project is now the fourth joint venture.
A significant moment was the investment in a new mold. For Royal Berry a major decision, for Van Tuijl a prime opportunity to cooperate flexibly. Together they again find a solution.
Jan: “You stick your neck out together. We get what we need at an acceptable price, and Van Tuijl can produce it profitably. That only works when there is mutual trust. Van Tuijl is always transparent about costs and possibilities. And people like Nico actively contribute ideas. Together you create opportunities, and that’s what makes the difference.”
Scaling growth and sustainability
Royal Berry cultivated 6.5 hectares in 2010 and has since grown to 57 hectares. The next step toward 75 hectares with the acquisition of this next project is in full swing . With each expansion, the infrastructure grows accordingly: more trays, greater uniformity and more efficient labor.
Sustainability is therefore a recurring theme in the strategy. Robots equipped with UVC lamps drive along the plants at night to prevent fungal growth without chemical means. Anti-reflective glass delivers 10% more light and improves fruit quality. With CHP systems, solar panels and a closed water system, Royal Berry is steering toward its long-term goal: a completely energy-neutral cultivation.
“For those innovations you need a solid base,” says Jan. “The infrastructure has to be right. Thanks in part to Van Tuijl, we continue building toward that goal.”
Moving forward together
Today, Royal Berry ranks among the top in the Netherlands. Behind this success stands a network of partners who contribute ideas and help build the business.. Jan: “We want to grow the best strawberries in the Netherlands. That’s only possible with partners who set the same high standarts. Van Tuijl is a prime example of that.”
Would you like to make your cultivation more sustainable or scale with customized solutions? Van Tuijl is happy to contribute ideas and deliver systems that work.
