Knippenberg-Eijkenboom Nursery: ready for a sustainable and exciting future
Knippenberg-Eijkenboom Nursery in Sint-Odiliënberg continues to develop and prepare for the future. Since 2016, Ruud Eijkenboom has been at the helm of the company, which he took over from Jan Knippenberg. With a head full of ideas and a healthy dose of courage, Eijkenboom is the epitome of an entrepreneur who not only thinks ahead but also actually puts his plans into action. ‘Out-of-the-box’ entrepreneurship is a top priority here – and you can see that in everything.
In recent years, the nursery has made significant strides in the area of sustainability. Since 2022, the company has been completely gas-free and its energy supply runs entirely on solar power. With 73 solar panels, plant cultivation is supported in an environmentally friendly way. Although this means the season starts slightly later, customers benefit from stable prices – a conscious choice that is both sustainable and customer-focused.
Sustainability is also being extended to other areas. For instance, the nursery works with suppliers who also produce gas-free, and recyclable plant pots are used. Customers can return their empty pots, after which they are reprocessed into new ones. A fine example of circular thinking in practice.
The arrival of Richard Cox in 2022 gave a further boost to these sustainability efforts. Drawing on his expertise in renewable energy, he helped the nursery successfully make the switch to solar power. At the same time, Eijkenboom continues to invest in local partnerships by sourcing some of its plants from regional growers. This keeps the supply chain short and strengthens the local economy.
Since the start of this year, the nursery has also been focusing on digital innovation with its own app. As the initiator, the team aims to further strengthen mutual cooperation with other local businesses. Through a unique loyalty scheme, customers are encouraged to buy locally, enabling businesses to support one another and benefiting the region as a whole.
Recently, the nursery faced flooding. The team reacted swiftly and implemented improvements straight away. For instance, a new watering system has now been installed, and a large part of the range is displayed on tables. This not only reduces the risk but also ensures more efficient water use and better absorption of water and nutrients by the plants.
What makes the nursery particularly special is the way in which Eijkenboom and his team keep in touch with their customers. The well-known live Facebook videos, in which Ruud and the secretary answer questions in a light-hearted manner, have become a household name in the region. And that’s not all: they will soon be launching something new – “Sjpas in de kas”. In these monthly broadcasts on OR6, the local radio station for the municipality of Roerdalen, they offer gardening tips in a humorous and accessible way. A perfect example of how entrepreneurship and creativity go hand in hand.
With this combination of innovation, sustainability and a good dose of fun, Kwekerij Knippenberg-Eijkenboom is fully prepared for the future. Or, as Ruud himself would put it: a little different, but precisely because of that, just right.