Dutch importer Hillfresh International will open its new distribution centre in Barendrecht, Holland, on 18 January, marking the start of what is expected to be another year of strong growth for the company.
During its first two years of trading, the company has been based in Rotterdam but, according to managing director Hans van den Heuvel, the time has come to move to a larger facility.
“Barendrecht is the fruit and vegetable centre of the Netherlands and therefore an ideal location for Hillfresh International,” he told Fruitnet.com. “Ever since the start, it has been Hillfresh’s wish to set up its business in Barendrecht. Fortunately, we have been able to do that now.”
Founded in September 2007 by Leo van den Heuvel and Pieter de Jong, the firm now employs 63 staff and has focused its business on vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes, as well as fruit including melons, grapes, kiwifruit and citrus.
After what he described as a 'turbulent' first year followed by impressive growth in the second year, Mr Van den Heuvel said the company had outgrown its Rotterdam premises.
“Moving to the new premises was a must for further development of the company and by this move alone we expect to achieve a double-figured growth,' he said.
The new, two-storey facility offers a storage area of 11,500m2, 21 ‘green’ coldstorage units as well as 7,500 pallet spaces.
Meeting stringent rules on food safety, the company is BRC and IFS certified and is a member of FoodCompass, GlobalGAP and Sedex.
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