WHAT KIND OF COMPANY IS BAAS PLANT NURSERY?
"We are a family business started by my parents, Arie and Ineke. Eight years ago, my brother Jarno and I took over the company. Our focus is on large-scale retail, which is something my brother and I introduced. My parents primarily focused on local trade and partial export. We excel at understanding what makes our customers happy and growing in ways that optimize returns. Every year, we aim to deliver beautiful, colorful plants that bring people joy."
AND WHAT KIND OF PLANTS ARE THOSE?
"For us, year-round cultivation means offering different products each season. We start with violas and primulas, followed by the bedding plant season. Think petunias, begonias, geraniums, and marigolds, available in both large and small pots. In summer, we offer seasonal bedding plants like lantanas and sunflowers. Autumn brings chrysanthemums and cyclamens. We finish with poinsettias in winter. Although they aren’t garden plants, you still want to bring joy with beautiful plants in winter, right? We always say we grow for both patient and impatient consumers. That’s why we cater to both with our 'Ready-to-plant' and 'Ready-to-enjoy' concepts."
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH CELIEPLANT?
"I’d have to double-check, but I’d say at least 20 years. Celieplant is a great match for us; we work together to strengthen each other. Retail can be a tough business at times, which means there are periods when you might not work together as much, or you miss out on an order. That’s just part of the game. But the strong relationship we’ve built ensures that this is never an issue. They’re simply great people at Celieplant. Great people and Ans, of course! We’re cut from the same cloth—no fuss, straight-talking, solving problems, and not shying away from challenges. It’s a demanding industry, and we understand that about each other. We focus on delivering the best plants, and they focus on securing the best orders. At Celieplant, like us, they’re always looking ahead, figuring out how to do things better, differently, and more beautifully for the customer. Together, we try out new ideas to keep surprising customers. That surprise factor helps you achieve more, and ultimately, if those customers come back, you know you’re doing something right."
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABILITY?
"We’re also leaders in sustainability. Since 2010, we’ve been working to eliminate our reliance on gas, and since 2017, we’ve been completely gas-free. Most of the year, we generate our own electricity with an ORC system. Our goal is always to have the most sustainable energy supply possible. Additionally, we’ve been MPS-GAP Socially Qualified for 25 years, and we were the first bedding plant grower to achieve this certification. This year, together with Celieplant, we’ll be introducing the first Fair Trade poinsettias. In Africa, where the cuttings are sourced, we’ll support the farmers through the Fair Trade label. We’re very proud of this initiative. Collaborating on projects like these really is the cherry on top of our partnership!"
"WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE EACH OTHER STRONGER. NO FRILLS, JUST STRAIGHT-TALKING." - Dieter Baas, General Manager, Baas Plant Nursery
