History

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.

1959

The first greenhouse where the Dekker family is inspecting the tomato plants. 

 
1959 1 500
 
1962 2 500

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.

 
1963 1 500
 
1972 1 500

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 1 500
 
1974 2 500

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 1 500
 
1975 3 500

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.

 
1980 1 500
 
1988 1 500

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 3 500
 
1989 1 500

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.

 
1989 2 500
 
1993 2 500

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 1 500
 
1998 2 500

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.

 
1999 1 500
 
2000 2 500

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.

 
2005 1 500
 
2008 1 500

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.

 
2009 1 500
 
2011 1 500

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.

 
2013 1 500
 
2015 2 500

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.

 
2016 1 500
 
2017 1b 500

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 1 500
 
2018 4 500

2018

Dekker Chrysanten moves with the times and adjusts its corporate identity to reflect this.

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