Enza Zaden has reached the first position in the Hillenraad 100 list! A list of the 100 most leading companies in the Dutch horticultural industry is annually composed by a committee of experts – entrepreneurs, managers and individuals in the business. “The fact that a committee of experts selects Enza Zaden from over ten thousand enterprises makes this recognition even more valuable,” says Managing Director Jaap Mazereeuw. The prestigious prize is the ‘Oscar’ within the Dutch horticultural industry.

The Hillenraad committee praises the specific ‘multilocal’ approach. “Enza Zaden is a prime example of internationalisation through its specific ‘multilocal’ approach. Enza Zaden has fanned out across 38 overseas sites from where it actively develops products for the market from within the market.”

Moreover, the committee mentions the “excellent insight into market developments” and the “strong emphasis on far-reaching, highly innovative R&D” of Enza Zaden. The jury appreciates the vegetable breeder’s efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship of employees and the opportunity the company gives them to devote some of their time to ‘experiments’. Also the Enza Academy, that nurtures and develops talent, and the company’s engagement in corporate social responsibility have contributed in winning this leading prize.

Jaap Mazereeuw and Managing Director Marketing & Sales Hein Bemelmans received the prize at the Hortigala on 30 October. Jaap Mazereeuw: “Sharing knowledge as well as good teamwork, both within the company and with our partners in the chain, are crucial. Our chain partners and employees have contributed in the thriving company that Enza Zaden has become today.”