At Dekker Chrysanten in Hensbroek, we work with a close-knit team of over 170 colleagues to develop and produce top-quality chrysanthemums. In our Face of the Family section, we introduce you to a colleague every month. This way, you will get to know the people behind our family business better and you will discover how versatile the work at Dekker Chrysanten is.

This month, we meet Niels Floore (58), responsible for rooting at our company since 2020. With his years of international experience in the chrysanthemum world and his down-to-earth view on cultivation and process improvement, Niels is a true professional who dedicates himself daily to the optimal start of our chrysanthemums.

Meet Niels, our rooting specialist

As a young boy, Niels worked as a holiday helper on a farm – that’s where his interest in agriculture began. From there, he moved into horticulture, with a particular focus on chrysanthemums. Over the years, he has built up extensive experience in chrysanthemum cultivation, both in the Netherlands and internationally.

He was active in Brazil and lived with his family in Africa for eight years, where he worked as a farm manager, overseeing the production of millions of chrysanthemum cuttings each week.

“Chrysanthemums are like top-level sports,” says Niels. “You have to do everything right to stay in the game. That mindset really appeals to me.”

Through word of mouth, Niels found his way to Dekker Chrysanten – a place where he immediately felt at home: “Straightforward, short lines of communication, lots of responsibility – that suits me perfectly.

Niels' role at Dekker Chrysanten

In his role at Dekker Chrysanten, Niels deals with everything to do with rooting. From the arrival of cuttings from Tanzania to the delivery of young plants to the customer. Of course, he does not do this alone, but together with a dedicated team of specialists and team leaders in different departments.

"My day usually starts around 6.30am. I first check the climate in the greenhouse, make a tour of all the departments and make sure everything keeps running smoothly. Then comes the administrative work: picking up points of interest, making schedules, meetings... And if something doesn't quite go smoothly somewhere, I jump in."

A key project Niels is proud of is developing a new track-and-trace system. Together with his colleague, he set up a dashboard that allows him to retrieve the full history of a batch within minutes. ‘This saves a huge amount of time and helps us to find out more quickly where areas for improvement lie.’

Innovating with daylightless rooting

Besides process optimisation, Niels is also involved in innovation, such as daylightless rooting. Together with colleagues, he develops new techniques to improve rooting and become more independent of natural light conditions. ‘We are well on our way, and the goal is to soon be able to root completely daylightless,’ he says.

‘I like responsibility and making things better’

Niels has a passion for responsibility and making things better. What he enjoys most about his work? "Solving problems and optimising processes. There are always new challenges, and I enjoy working with the team to find solutions that result in a stable and reliable product."

He also values cooperation with other departments, such as planning, sales, expedition or technical service. In the technical department, for example, he works together to see how machines can improve their performance.

Topsport in de tuinbouw: Niels Floore over zijn werk bij Dekker Chrysanten

Niels sees working at Dekker Chrysanten as a place where you can truly take responsibility. “You get a lot of freedom and have to arrange things yourself, and that suits me well. What I also appreciate is the direct and honest communication. At Dekker Chrysanten, you always know exactly where you stand.”

For Niels, working with chrysanthemums isn’t just a job – it’s top-level sport. “Everything has to be just right; it’s all about perfection and speed. You always have to be ready to react quickly, because growers are passionate and very straightforward.” This type of work and the dynamic nature of the company suit him well. “It’s a great place to work, close to home, and I hope to continue enjoying my time at Dekker for many more years.”

Niels Floore has extensive knowledge and experience in horticulture, something that becomes quickly apparent when you walk through the company with him. From the moment he steps through the doors of Dekker Chrysanten, he’s regularly approached by colleagues with all kinds of questions. Whether it’s about logistics around shipping or the technical condition of machines that aren’t working optimally, Niels always seems to have an answer ready.

What makes Niels stand out is not just his knowledge, but also his dedication. He’s always curious about what’s happening in other departments and regularly checks in across the company. He takes the time to consult with team members, identify potential issues, and immediately contribute to finding solutions. This hands-on mentality makes him a valued point of contact within the company. Thanks to his experience and his willingness to dive into any challenge, Niels is a key link within Dekker Chrysanten.