Sixty-five years of Van den Bos.
A lot has happened in six decades, but then again, some things remain the same. Innovation is still a constant driving force which has taken Van den Bos to its current position: a leading production and trading company for lily, freesia and Calla bulbs throughout the world. So we have plenty to celebrate in this anniversary year. And we will, starting with this anniversary page. How did Van den Bos cope in the early years? You'll find the answers in this time bar, which finishes in 2012. But the end of Van den Bos's glory days is still a very long way off!
1946
The tentative start of an international bulb empire...
Verkadestraat in Maasdijk: In a neat Town house, the long history of; 'J. van den Bos, trader in bulbs and accessories' begins.
1956
Ten years of growth have passed
Van den Bos moves to Honselersdijk. Our first truck is bought. Jan and Toon, the eldest sons, join the company.
1966
The first employee of a long list!
The company's official name from now on: J. van den Bos and Zonen V.O.F. The company recruits its first employee.
1970
The expansion of growing areas and markets takes off
Van den Bos quickly grows beyond its borders and starts exporting to Germany. At first, mainly freesias were exported, later joined by lilies. The first innovation of Van den Bos in the field of bulbs: a refrigerated truck for transport.
1972
A solid foundation is developing
The general partnership is converted into a private limited company. There is a reason for that: father Jo shares the company now with his five sons, so Van den Bos can now call itself, with good reason, a family company!
1978
Van den Bos becomes synonymous with lilies
Lilies become increasingly important. The success story of Van den Bos starts taking shape, also thanks to the exclusive sales of the 'White Europe' longiflorum lily. Serious exports are now being organized professionally with the creation of Flamingo International.
1981
The first steps in sustainability
Once again, a key innovation. When the word 'sustainability' did not have any significant importance as it has today, Van den Bos was already using CHP (Combined Heat and Power) Heat for the greenhouses and power to freeze and store the bulbs. A prestigious energy prize, handed out by the Minister, and direct recognition was the result of this invention.
1982
Van den Bos continues growing
Expansion abroad is taking considerable steps forward. This is a reason for restructuring the organisation: barns are enlarged; a greenhouse is hired for planting sample-bulbs. The first test greenhouse in the lily sector goes into operation. Gerrit de Ruiter is awarded the first `Bosbokaal` as the best bulb grower!
1984
Perspectives on the other side of the ocean
The first overseas establishment is inaugurated: Flamingo Holland in the USA! This milestone marks the start of the company's worldwide growth. The wooden vegetable crate for packing bulbs makes way for red plastic BOS crates. Flamingo Canada is added `to the family` as well, when a remodelled tobacco shed in Ontario is acquired.
1990
Van den Bos under new ownership
It is almost an upheaval by Van den Bos standards: there is a new owner, Cebeco-Handelsraad, an agricultural giant who wil take Van den Bos to the next level. Jan and Toon van den Bos took this important decision for the sake of the continuity of the company.
1991
Innovation: growing all year round is possible with new harvests from Chile
A pilot test to grow bulbs in Chile takes place successfully. Van den Bos is there at the start of cultivation in the Southern Hemisphere as one of the first pioneers on the other side of the globe. Growing all year round is a fact. Pacific Flowers is born.
1998
Goal-oriented investments in the Japanese market
Van den Bos continues to internationalize. With the takeover of export company Beldex, Japan and other Asiatic countries come into sight.
1999
Market leader after taking over Van der Arend Freesia
Van der Arend Freesia is added to the Van den Bos family. The takeover is of great importance: Van den Bos becomes a market leader in Freesia instantly!
2002
Van den Bos back on its own feet
A daring step, but one taken for the sake of the future: the employees of Van den Bos and Hilbert Jonkman take over the shares of Cebeco-Handelsraad! It is a unique step, both in the bulb sector and in the Dutch business world. This memorable takeover turns out to be the beginning of a flourishing future.
2002
Chain integration as a driving force for sales growth
Chain integration continues taking shape with the foundation of Lily Pact, which directs the chain 'from plough to plate', facilitating huge growth in the retail channel.
2005
Chile is now a fully integrated bulb supplier
A reorganisation of Van den Bos is necessary to make the company more flexible and decisive. Innovation literally knows no bounds, as the company starts to pioneer with flowers from Kenya, Spain and Ethiopia. The choice of Chile turns out to be the right one: Chilean flower bulbs have definitively carved out their niche in the market.
2006
Another continent forms part of the empire!
In the first month of the year, Van den Bos conquers Australia when it acquires its own distribution unit. This is a logical step in the light of past experience: the company has always opted for a local presence in the direct vicinity of the professional flower grower.
2006
Now also a Chinese establishment for Van den Bos
After having established a foothold in Australia, Van den Bos continues spreading its wings by opening its own establishment in China in September of this year.
2010
New management takes over
Edwin van der Klugt, Frans van der Weiden and Jos Barendse take over the management of the company.
2012