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PROFILE CANDIDATE Code K090350INT
Sex: m
Year of birth: 55
Education:
Teaching Certificate: General Economics and Techniques and Methods of Social Investigation (including Statistics).1987.
University: State University of Utrecht.
Bachelor Degree: Cultural Anthropology, 1985.
Master Degree: Social Economics, 1987.
Courses: General Economics, Agricultural Economics, and Tropical Agriculture.
Thesis: “Agricultural Cooperatives, Markets in Portugal” supervised by Prof. Dr. G.J. ter Woorst, Director of the Dutch National Cooperative Council, 1987.
High school: Thorbecke Lyceum Utrecht, The Netherlands.1974.
Working experience:
July 2008–Jan.2009 Independent Consultant
The candidate was contracted by the biggest vegetable and fruit company in Ireland, to develop a business plan for the start of flower production in glass houses and outdoors to the total area of 2,2Ha.
The idea of this company is to spread risks and strive to import substitution, as imports are getting more expensive on the long haul.
Tasks of this project:
• Identify some varieties of cut flowers and/or pot plants suitable for production in glasshouses in Ireland.
• A marketing study to identify potential markets, product types, quantities, marketing, packaging, and distribution costs etc., including the financial returns based on market indicators.
• A study that indicates where the proposed flowers and plants “fit in” the best, taking in consideration the Irish climate and agronomical conditions.
• A viability study with cost benefit analyses, including cost breakdown of each proposed product, indicating the infrastructural costs (CAPEX) establishment costs, labour requirements, cash flow projections, yield forecast and budgets.
• A timetable and agronomical description of the flowers/plants to implement in this project. The extended report was presented on 20 December and well received and acknowledged by the Board. Due to the current difficult economic situation in Ireland it was decided not to implement this project for the moment
2002 -August 2007 Managing Director, flowers & plants nursery, Portugal
The candidate was invited to make a consultancy report for an Orchid and Protea nursery on the Island of Madeira. Objectives for this 9-month Efficiency and Market study were to elaborate alternative production methods and make strategies for these alternatives. In the final report “Towards Modern Growing” he proposed the construction of an 8500m2 high-tech greenhouse for 30,000 production plants. After 6 months he was asked to fill the position of Managing Director.
Main products of this nursery: Cymbidium Orchids, Protea varieties and Estrelitzias for cut flower; 80% of this production is exported. As Managing Director he implemented new strategies of marketing, added new clients and improved export. New production alternatives were created such as bulbs (Lilies, Gladiolus, Iris and for the first time on Madeira, Tulips), Camellias, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea and Estrelitzias. A shop department was opened. For an international potato growing firm, experimentation fields were installed.
During these years he worked with Budgets, Management reports, Accounts and lead a staff of 22.
The EU project for building new greenhouses was written, designed and supervised by the candidate. This greenhouse is unique as it consists basically of a North European glasshouse but with South European corrections such as extended ventilation possibilities. He has good knowledge of computer programs and control systems for irrigation for many years now, so these systems were installed by himself.
Main achievement: The firm’s financial balance was recovered. The new high-tech greenhouse project was finalised.
In December 2005 the structure of the nursery was changed due to the retirement of the owner. A holding was created with a board of directors. Finalising the project was very difficult from that moment on, as the board members had no affinity with horticulture, but the candidate succeeded in finalizing the project before the end of his contract in August 2007.
Since May 2007 Freelance writer
Writing articles as freelancer for “Horticultura”, the Spanish Magazine for Floriculture and Garden Design.
Since 1987 Owner, nursery, Portugal
The candidate started, by own initiative and means, a farm in Alpedrinha, Beira Interior, Portugal.
The first part of the project consisted of the implementation of orchards (total area 10ha.) containing various fruit trees (Peaches, Citrus, Kiwi .etc).
A greenhouse was designed and implemented for the other part of the project and was supported by EU subsidies. This project, for which he trained his own staff, was considered a “pilot” project in the region. During the first years the greenhouse was used for vegetable production (Lettuce, tomatoes peppers and small fruits). When it became clear that floriculture could be more profitable he started the production of cut flowers and pot plants. The past 10 years he has specialised in Camellia production besides other pot plants and shrubs as Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Estrelitzia, Dracaenas etc.
Marketing and distribution systems were created. Sales are local, and include the most important nurseries and garden centres around Portugal and some in Spain. New items: Strawberries are produced year round inside (greenhouse Christmas production) and outside production on plastic and with drip irrigation along with other fruits, melons etc. and vegetables for the local market, along with the mentioned flowers and plants, area approx. 20,000m2. The farm is now managed and orientated on distance, the staff have now been working more than 15 years for the candidate.
1986 – 1987 Independent Consultant
Consultancy study for “Consera”Hamburg” consisting of an investigation and marketing study for an EU (European Union) project in Fundão, Portugal. Purpose: Implementation of an agro-industrial plant for the local fruit cooperative, during the period September 1986 - June 1987.
1985 – 1986 Temporary investigative role
Temporary collaborator at the Department of Market Investigation of the “Landbouw Economisch Instituut” (Institute for Agricultural Economics), The Hague.Subject: Investigation of export possibilities of chicken meat to Spain and the possible competition of Spain in the international market.
Personality:
Our candidate has a profound academic and practical knowledge of plant production, project planning, business planning and functioning as general manager/owner of a flower/plants nursery. He is a “hands on” and practical person who can execute all different tasks necessary for the running of a flower/plant nursery, implementing complete projects etc. With over 22 years of all-round experience in this sector, he demonstrates a dedication and love for growing plants (flowers, fruits and vegetables).
He can easily adapt himself to situations and other cultures and is a positive , flexible person with a good sense of humour, who enjoys working in a team and will commit 100%.
Description of the new challenge: