The new onion buyers

Zev Clerx and Harmjan Hospers have now been working for several months in their new position as purchasers at Waterman Onions. In this newsletter, they look back on their first months and share their ambitions for the new season.

The newest addition to the purchasing team, Zev Clerx, looks back positively on his first weeks, “I have been very well received. It is always a matter of waiting to see where exactly you end up. But within the purchasing team and the organisation, a flat organisational structure is used, which certainly contributed to the pleasant course of the induction period.” Harmjan adds to his colleague, “There is a good, committed atmosphere within Waterman that ensures that you feel welcome within the organisation.”

Good guidance

The buyers are well supervised by quality manager Wilco Besuijen and fellow buyers Remko Wilms and Jelmer Elzinga. “You learn a lot from them, especially how you have to look at onions. Although I had already learned a lot on my father’s arable farm, thanks to the repetition and the expertise of my colleagues, I have now gradually developed an automatic system to check onions both in the box and during taring.” Said Harmjan.

Instructive introduction period

Zev also learns a lot from his colleagues; “I am fortunate that I entered a somewhat quieter period, which now allows me to focus on the logistical and administrative side of purchasing, but also on quality checks and the assessment of samples without time pressure.”

Harmjan, who started in the middle of the off-land period of the 2021-2022 season, indicates that in the coming period, he wants to focus on the cultivation and quality of the different varieties so that he can provide growers with sound advice for the upcoming season. “Fortunately, Jelmer has the experience and knowledge to advise growers about the onion varieties that are sold via Uienzaadonline.nl. I gratefully use their experience to learn as much as possible.”

Vote among growers

The buyers also experience the contact with the growers as very positive. “We are always welcome. Of course, it differs from grower to grower whether they have time for a cup of coffee.” Zev continues, “But it is precisely the alternation between personal and purely commercial conversations, in combination with the different characters of the growers, that makes me all the more curious about the upcoming off-land period.” According to Harmjan, the mood among the growers differs. “You now see that some growers are eager to sell, while others have more confidence in the market and their quality. These are still hesitant.”

Buyers advise for the 2021-2022 season

Harmjan cannot give general advice to the growers about the current season. “The quality is too variable this year per barn and variety.” Harmjan does indicate that he likes to give the grower personal advice, preferably on the box, so that he can sell the products in the right place. “Whether we purchase the onions or not, the grower has the right to honest advice.”