The history of the future...
One thing in particular stands out when looking back on the sixty-year history of Dekker Chrysanten: the sheer number of innovations that were first introduced in Hensbroek. These were innovations that often transformed the future of chrysanthemum breeding and propagation and included new varieties that changed the market forever. Innovations that have since become standard practice in cultivation, trade, and in marketing. And Dekker Chrysanten is still a company that prefers to look to the future instead of dwelling on the past. However, on this page, we'll make an exception and take a look at our illustrious history.
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History
1959
The first greenhouse where the Dekker family is inspecting the tomato plants.
1962
In the first boiler house, heavy oil was used for heating. The first greenhouse of Cees Dekker can be seen in the foreground.
1963
Niek Dekker has the honour of ‘officially’ presenting the first bunch of chrysanthemums.
1972
Dekker Chrysanten is a family business through and through. The four Dekker brothers pose proudly. From left to right: Niek, Dick, Jan, and Cees. Dekker Chrysanten remains just as proud to be a family company today.
1974
CHPs (combined heat and power systems) are still an unfamiliar sight in greenhouse horticulture, but Dekker Chrysanten has one as early as 1974. Four years later, in 1978, the capacity is upscaled with an even bigger installation.
1974
Dekker Chrysanten is one of the first companies to cultivate under artificial lighting.
1975
A converted CH boiler becomes the first flue gas cooler which discharges flue gasses of 600 °C.
1975
Yet another introduction that Dekker Chrysanten is quick to pick up on. The company in one of the first growers in the Netherlands to transition to cultivation in soil blocks.
1980
Dekker Chrysanten has expanded into the propagation of cuttings. The first cuttings on their way to be delivered to clients.
1988
The celebrations for the 25-year anniversary of Dekker Chrysanten comes a little late, but it turns into a great party after all.
1989
Niek Dekker embarks on a new activity: Dekker Breeding.
1989
At the opening of Dekker Kooymeer, a new logo is also revealed. Cees Dekker, chairman of the Dutch Flower Auctions Association (VBN) Van Doesburg, and deputy mayor Van der Ven make a toast.
1989
Robotization is introduced at the company: labour-saving and economical, focused on the growing sales of cuttings.
1993
Dekker Chrysanten spreads its wings. The first international production location is opened in Brazil.
1998
The international expansion takes shape. A new production location is opened in Tanzania.
1998
The euro is introduced and a flower is named in honour of the new currency. Minister Van Aartsen officially inaugurates the chrysanthemum in the presence of Cees Dekker.
1999
The first green pom-pom Santini ‘Yoko Ono’ is inaugurated during a fitting ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam 30 years after the famous bed-in protest of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
2000
Who other than Dekker Chrysanten would come up with the concept for a cutting planter? Cees Dekker, one of the founders of the company, came up with the idea.
2005
A new chrysanthemum variety is named in honour of Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela: the Madiba® A special initiative to introduce the new variety raises 250,000 ZAR for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
2008
Dekker Chrysanten opens a testing location in Colombia.
2009
The introduction of Dekker Selections: a mix box with a unique collection of various shapes and colours, attractively packaged in a box with full-colour print.
2011
Dekker Chrysanten opens a new building with ultra-modern facilities in Hensbroek.
2013
Biological pest control is used at the company for the first time. From this moment forward, insects take over some of the responsibility for controlling pests and diseases from chemical products.
2015
Developments in the identification of DNA markers offer new opportunities for breeding, as it is now possible to predict the performance of varieties in the initial stages of the breeding process.
2016
Production capacity is given a boost with the purchase of eighteen new planters.
2017
The Kennedy variety is introduced in combination with the two-tone technique: the white single-flowered chrysanthemum can be dyed in two colours. This is a truly unique innovation.
2018
Dekker Chrysanten purchases a new installation for sewage treatment.
2018
Dekker Chrysanten moves with the times and adjusts its corporate identity to reflect this.