“Your people make your company”

Family business Bergcamp started in 1965 growing vegetables and grapes. In 1980, the company also moved into ornamental horticulture with potted plants. Under the leadership of brothers Robert van den Berg and Walter van den Berg, Pelargonium, Cyclamen and Campanula are now cultivated. The team operates across three locations in De Lier. The sense of family has always been central, says Robert van den Berg.

“The company was founded by my father and uncle, and since 2014 my brother Walter and I have been managing it together. It is a true family business with a close-knit team of permanent employees. We try to maintain that family feeling throughout the entire team.”

Over the past two years, the company has grown significantly. “We have almost doubled our surface area to grow along with customer demand. That doubling of the cultivation area was certainly not unplanned. At the same time, we have introduced a degree of automation, specifically to ease the workload for our people.”

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Sustainable quality
The products Bergcamp supplies to both retail and day trade must offer added value compared to what is already available on the market, says Van den Berg. “All our products have core USPs. We also work with Addenda for Campanula, giving us joint access to our own genetics with the affiliated growers. We also aim to distinguish ourselves in Geranium and Cyclamen in terms of selections, assortment and marketing.”

To deliver the desired quality, sustainability is essential. “It already starts with the growing conditions. We cultivate our products as much as possible under cold growing conditions. This means we need less energy and allow the cultivation process to align more closely with the plant’s natural rhythm. This not only reduces environmental impact, but also results in stronger, longer-lasting products for the customer. Because all our locations have concrete floors, our greenhouses can be heated with underfloor heating. This allows us to use low-grade heat to still achieve the right temperature for our plants. It is also interesting from a cost perspective.”

Since 2001, the nursery has also been recirculating all water. “You have to work cleanly, which makes every season feel like you are starting in a new greenhouse.” In addition, double energy screens are installed and the aim is to use as many biological and MPS-MIND green crop protection products as possible.

Employees contribute ideas
Bergcamp is certified for MPS-ABC, MPS-SQ and MPS-GAP. The first ensures that the nursery remains critical of its usage of crop protection products, Van den Berg explains. “If you see that a product is heavier than expected, you should look for alternatives sooner. It is good© MPS for a company to be regularly measured against that standard, it keeps you sharp.”

The MPS-GAP and MPS-SQ certifications illustrate the importance Bergcamp places on its team. “Your people make your company. If the team spirit is good, job satisfaction improves naturally.” Innovations also stem from this team spirit. “We involve everyone in thinking along. We provide a monthly update, ask what challenges they face and also ask for ideas.” Insights from the shop floor have already led to a more efficient potting process, where tailor-made automation not only increases efficiency but also enhances job satisfaction.

Step by step more sustainable
Van den Berg is also a strong advocate of collaboration with fellow growers. “Through our cooperation with Addenda, we already carried out our first environmental footprint calculation in 2017. This allows us to see which measures have the greatest impact. You then have a baseline and scenarios to determine the next steps regarding geothermal energy and CO2 impact.”

He emphasises that you should not overextend yourself. Feasibility and practicality must remain central. “Try to take on one project each year. From peat reduction and energy savings to green crop protection products. If you do something every year, you will see that your company becomes more sustainable very quickly. Doing nothing and waiting is no longer an option, keep it manageable and just get started.”