In 2010, Tom Vermeer and his business partner Hans van der Goes founded Xpol. Over the years, the company has become an increasingly significant player in flowers on the European retail market. There is always a fair amount of discussion in negotiations with retailers, Vermeer says. “We try to push and pull a little, but we usually manage to work things out.”
Calm has returned to Xpol’s warehouse on Kruizemuntweg in Rijsenhout. In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, it was absolute madness, says Managing Director and co-owner Tom Vermeer. The dozens of employees were creating all sorts of value-added floral products for customers across Europe. Vermeer is more than satisfied: Xpol’s annual turnover so far is significantly higher than last year.
Kenyan roses are still Xpol’s main product, but Vermeer sees other flowers, bouquets and added-value products accounting for an ever-larger share of turnover. This means Xpol has increasingly been doing business with growers in Europe as well. Vermeer says that, alongside Kenyan flowers, he wants to offer a broader and more diverse product range.
