Van den Berk Nurseries

The company
In mid 2007 Paulus van den Berk handed the position of general manager over to his nephew Pieter van den Berk. Paulus is one of the two brothers who have helped Van den Berk Nurseries develop into the current, international company. Sharing knowledge Jan van den Berk left in 2004. The brother of Paulus retired after 51 years. Paulus stayed at the helm and ran the company with passion for several more years, but is now taking a back seat. Paulus van den Berk: “I am handing over the management, but I am not stopping. I will remain involved with the company. It is time to give the new generation space. Allowing a fresh breeze to blow through the company is always good for both clients and staff.” “Although that breeze has certainly not been bad in recent years”, adds Pieter van den Berk. “The fact that we have been sharing knowledge for years and major decisions have been taken by the management team for many years means that we are well prepared for this change.”	„I am handing over the management, but I am not stopping. I will remain involved with the company. It is time to give the new generation space.” (Paulus van den Berk)
„The urge to innovate is defi nitely in the family, and that enthusiasm has infected everyone in the company.” (Pieter van den Berk)	Buying time Paulus has turned 64 in 2007. His entire working life has been involved with nature. “I have always enjoyed working in a natural environment”, says Paulus. “I always say: you can tell people al lot of things, but you can not fool nature. If you are in contact with nature you understand what is and is not possible. Where which trees can and cannot be planted, or whether trees should be pruned, and if so, how. Nature does what it wants, and if we listen to it we can give trees a unique place in avenues, parks or gardens. If a tree is in an unsuitable spot you will notice it within a few years. This is a pity, because with a tree you buy time. You buy history and the future. A tree deserves a place where it can live for a long time.” I always say: „people you can tell lots of things, but you can not fool nature. If you are in contact with nature you understand what is and is not possible.” (Paulus van den Berk) Innovative range Van den Berk has always been a leading innovator in the tree nursery sector. Where does that drive to innovate come from? Paulus: “I have always been extremely interested in new developments in the field of technology and also new plant species. Plants with high utility value, better winter hardiness, new varieties. I have always worked to expand our range. No tree is too strange to find at Van den Berk is what I always say. This is one area where we are really distinctive as a nursery. We always want to learn and share new things.”