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More than a wholesaler, a team that thinks along with you

Gerard Heemskerk is all about people and cooperation. We supply fresh flowers, plants and decoration, but above all overview and reliability. With fixed contact persons, short lines of communication and a down-to-earth approach, we support wholesalers and line drivers in their daily practice.

Gerard Heemskerk is a supplier that looks beyond the product alone and believes in working with permanent people, clear agreements and a way of working that fits the daily practice of our customers

Gerard Heemskerk originated from practice and still works with both feet on the floor. We supply flowers, plants and decorations to professionals who can count on quality and continuity on a daily basis. That’s why it’s all about clarity, fixed agreements and doing what we promise.

With us, you don’t work with anonymous systems, but with people who know your way of working. Whether it’s purchasing, logistics or support: we think along, switch quickly and build long-term partnerships that continue to function, even if the market or planning changes.

How did we ever start?
The beginning

From tour driver to professional entrepreneur

In January 1981, Gerard Heemskerk started as a tour driver. First in the Utrecht region, but due to hard competition soon towards Germany, around Bielefeld. Monday to Thursday on the road, Friday and Saturday residual sale in Gehrden. Loading new stock on Sunday, drive again on Sunday evening. Hard work, every week.

Expension

Growth across the border

Around 1984, the tour was extended to Hildesheim and the Harz Mountains. Also, a flower shop was started in Hildesheim. In 1990, a second Tour followed in the Munich region, together with brother Frank. Shortly afterwards, the stand and store were sold to fully focus on further growth.

Transformation

From tour driver to buying partner and exporter

Due to economies of scale at the auctions of Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg, turnover had to increase in order to remain in the competition. Through collaborations with other Flying Dutchmans, the volume grew. The company developed more and more into a buying partner, with export customers in Sweden and Germany, among others

Professionalization

Expansion into a serious export company

In 1999, Kees Guijt, Marcel van Duijn and Jan Durieux joined as co-owners. Turnover doubled and the company grew into a serious export player. With highs and lows, but growth every year. In 2018, Gerard van der Plas took over the share from Gerard Heemskerk