Thu 02-02-2012
John Baarda Ltd finds financial support and expertise from Greenery UK Ltd
Huntingdon, UK, 1 February 2012 - After several years of poor financial performance and operational challenges, John Baarda Ltd (JBL), the second largest tomato producer in the UK, has sought further financial assistance from Greenery UK Ltd (GUK) for the third time in less than two years.
Fri 23-12-2011
New member joins The Greenery’s general management team
Barendrecht, 23 December 2011 - On 9 January 2012, Bart Merkus (44) will take up his new position as commercial director of The Greenery and member of its general management team. The general management team will consist of general manager Philip Smits, finance director Albert Knol and commercial director Bart Merkus.
Wed 30-11-2011
Sustainable Cornerways Nursery joins The Greenery and Coforta cooperative
Cornerways, one of Britain’s ‘greenest’ nurseries, is to become a full member of the Coforta cooperative after several years of successful and close collaboration between the nursery and The Greenery UK Ltd. The cooperative is planning an expansion of its vegetable fruits acreage from 1 January 2012. The organisation has been welcoming new members into the fold and has noted growth among its existing members. The acreage allocated to the vegetable fruits segment (tomatoes and cucumbers) will be expanded by 67 hectares, of which 49 are located in the Netherlands and 18 in the UK.
Thu 24-11-2011
The Greenery wins sustainable logistics award
The Greenery is celebrating award success after winning a Netherlands government Lean & Green award.
Wed 06-04-2011
Annual report published by The Greenery
The Greenery BV's annual report shows a net profit of EUR 4.8 million in 2010. The report also showed that Greenery BV's turnover has increased by 13.3% to EUR 1.8 billion compared to 2009 and highlighted the successful introduction of the New Collaboration Model (NCM) which led to a slight increase in The Greenery BV's total sales volume. This increase in equity capital, liability capital and greater solvency are signs of a healthy financial position.
Mon 28-03-2011
Nature Counts label awarded to seven new companies
The Greenery has announced seven new companies that have been awarded the Nature Counts sustainability label. The seven companies that may use the label over the next three years are Mts Boon, Pater Broersen, Duijvenstijn, Themato, Anton van Wijk, Mts Meuzelaar and Wim van Dijk. These companies are all pioneers in sustainable operations and have distinguished themselves in the areas of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, water management, the reduction of crop protection agents and employee care.
Thu 17-02-2011
Greenery subsidiary Hage International sets up new exotic division and 'Solentes' brand
A Dutch subsidiary of The Greenery - Hage International - has announced the establishment of a new unit that will focus on the marketing of exotics and ready-to-eat fruit under the new brand name 'Solentes'.
Thu 17-02-2011
The Greenery and SNC Socheleau sign agreement
The Greenery and SNC Socheleau (Le Verger de la Blottiere) have signed an agreement on the planting and marketing of Sweet Sensation and Dazzling Gold pears in France.
Wed 01-12-2010
Management changes at The Greenery
The Greenery has announced the appointment of Kevin Doran (Managing Director of Huntingdon-based Greenery UK Ltd) as Managing Director of Greenery North America BV (United States, Canada and Mexico) and the Netherlands-based operations of Greenery UK, effective immediately.
Thu 18-11-2010
The Greenery announces new Nature Counts companies
The Greenery has announced two new companies that are entitled to carry the sustainability title of Nature Counts for the next three years. The cultivation companies Greenco and TW van Noord Tomaten have been awarded the title in recognition of their leading positions in the field of Growing Resistance.
Thu 26-08-2010
Minister Verburg opens solar energy installation at the firm of Greenery grower Boon
Gerda Verburg, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality put a large-scale solar energy installation into operation today on the premises of Greenery-grower Boon in Zeewolde. This solar-energy powered installation will enable the energy neutral production of string beans and Brussels sprouts.
Wed 11-08-2010
The Greenery & Provalor announce joint venture
The Greenery and Provalor (www.provalor.nl) have announced their intention to enter into a joint venture to secure value from left-over horticultural materials.
Thu 10-06-2010
Greenery UK supports growers during British Tomato Week
Fruit and vegetable supplier Greenery UK celebrated British Tomato Week by handing out sustainably grown tomatoes produced by one of the company's own growers.
Thu 13-05-2010
Stephan Peters appointed Nature Counts jury member
The Greenery has announced that Dr Stephan Peters has been appointed as a member of the jury for the Nature Counts sustainability initiative.
Tue 11-05-2010
The Greenery unveils new aerodynamic trailer
Fresh produce company The Greenery - one of the leading suppliers of fruit, vegetables and mushrooms to supermarkets and wholesalers across the UK - has unveiled new aerodynamic trailers which could cut fuel consumption in the delivery of fresh produce.
Thu 22-04-2010
The Greenery launches new sustainability initiative
Fresh produce company The Greenery - one of the leading suppliers of fruit, vegetables and mushrooms to supermarkets and wholesalers across the UK - has launched a new initiative to recognise growers which achieve exceptional sustainability performance.
Mon 18-01-2010
Greenery UK and John Baarda
The Greenery UK and John Baarda Ltd have reached an 'in principle' agreement in respect of the future development of John Baarda Ltd in a move that will see the UK based greenhouse grower marketing its production with Huntingdon based Greenery UK Ltd. This agreement has been reached with the support of John Baarda Ltd's bankers, HSBC plc, which will be providing finance and participating in the refinancing of the company, subject to final agreement.
Mon 12-10-2009
Sustainability is 'more' at the Greenery
The Greenery has published its sustainability report entitled 'Healthy is More'. The report focuses on the achievements of The Greenery and its growers in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the past year.
Tue 01-09-2009
The Greenery aims to introduce a new model for cooperation
The Greenery has announced its intention to set up a new cooperation model between the company, the cooperative and its members. The shifts in market conditions and the changing needs of customers and growers (or groups of growers) are the inspirations behind the company's desire to accelerate the introduction of the new model. As a market leader, The Greenery's new approach will enhance its added value strategy while creating more room for growers to define their own style of modern entrepreneurship within the cooperative.
Fri 05-06-2009
GREENERY UK JOINS THE BRITISH TOMATO GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
Fruit and vegetable supplier Greenery UK has joined the British Tomato Growers' Association to highlight its commitment to UK growers.
Wed 25-02-2009
SUMMER ARRIVES EARLY IN NORFOLK
It may still be February but summer has definitely arrived in one part of Norfolk.
Wed 14-01-2009
THE GREENERY BRINGS THE TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN TO SAINSBURY'S
Consumers looking for tomatoes just like the ones they tasted on their last Mediterranean holiday will love the new Marmonde tomato - available in Sainsbury's stores between January and April 2009.
John Baarda Ltd finds financial support and expertise from Greenery UK Ltd
Huntingdon, UK, 1 February 2012 - After several years of poor financial performance and operational challenges, John Baarda Ltd (JBL), the second largest tomato producer in the UK, has sought further financial assistance from Greenery UK Ltd (GUK) for the third time in less than two years.
The board of directors of JBL, which includes both GUK and an outside director who served as chairman, accepted financing terms presented by Greenery UK Ltd after it became clear doing so was in the best interest of JBL, the employees and the creditors. There was no alternative brought forward to the board and GUK was left to consider its options.
"The UK supply of tomatoes is obviously what is important to British consumers, our retail partners, and consequently our business.", said Kevin Doran, managing director of Greenery UK Ltd. "Across Europe we are involved in 'local for local' partnerships with domestic producers. This is consistent with that posture, so with the support of producer partners we elected to step in with the required financing."
As a result, Greenery UK Ltd is now the sole shareholder in the company. The transaction completed on 19 January 2012. The move has seen the resignation of John Baarda Ltd directors including chairman Andrew Lesser, finance director Adrian Burrows and managing director David Baarda.
"David Baarda wants to consider other opportunities he can now pursue, so I certainly understand his decision," said Doran. "However, he will stay on as a consultant through a defined transition and handover period."
"Given the very difficult circumstances, this is certainly the right way forward for the company," said David Baarda. "The Greenery has the resources and expertise to realise the full vision we had for Billingham. There is room to grow there, which was one of the reasons we chose that site."
A new managing director and board have been named and will take over the operations effective with the closing date. Nigel Bartle, currently general manager of Cornerways Nursery in Wissington, has been named equity partner and managing director by Greenery UK Ltd effective from 1 March 2012.
"He was a natural and certainly Nigel requires no introduction from me," said Doran. "It goes without saying we are thrilled with this announcement."
Nigel Bartle has been successfully managing British Sugar’s horticultural business, Cornerways Nursery, since 2001 and is currently the chairman of the British Tomato Growers Association.
"It is a very exciting opportunity for me," said Nigel Bartle "And, as I am from that part of the country, it also just felt like a natural fit."
”We are pleased that Nigel has an opportunity to pursue a dream he has had since a young age of becoming a partner within a tomato business. I would like to thank him for his superb contribution and support over the past 10 years in establishing Cornerways Nursery as an award-winning horticulture business, and I wish him all the best for the future," said Colm McKay, Agriculture Director of British Sugar plc.
Paul Simmonds, who has been integral in the successful operation of Cornerways Nursery, has been appointed as general manager with effect from 1 March. “We are delighted to appoint Paul as general manager of Cornerways Nursery. With over seven years of experience within the tomato industry and the NFU’s Young Grower of the Year in 2010, this is the next step in his successful career at Cornerways," said Colm McKay.
Both Cornerways Nursery and John Baarda Ltd are members of the grower group and producer organisation Coforta UA, the single shareholder of The Greenery BV. A new board of directors and advisory board has also been named and will be made up of Theo van Noord, who is a key producer in the Netherlands and sits on Coforta's tomato advisory committee, Nigel Bartle and Kevin Doran, who will serve as chairman.