18123_NSFM-mei-2021_Guts_Totaal_UK_1_Spreads_LR

Agriculture has
the capacity to
change lives
and land for the
better, so we
are doing
everything
we can to
make this
happen.’
Franky
dares!
Agrovision and ambition
‘Our ambition is to expand the year-round market for
berries all throughout the world. In the big existing
markets, our main aim is to encourage market growth
for premium blueberries, which will lift blueberries to
even greater heights.
We are also setting new standards for quality and
reliability. Not just when buying land but also in our
ongoing commitment to innovation when cultivating,
processing, growing, packaging and shipping new
varieties. However, our ambition doesn’t stop with
Agrovision but extends to the people who work
for us and the communities in which we operate.
Agriculture has the capacity to change lives and land
for the better, so we are doing everything we can to
make this happen.’
Since Agrovision and Aartsen are both very ambitious
organisations, they are striving to strengthen the
links between them. Both see the future as very
bright indeed.
Column Franky.
Franky van Uffelen
Franky van Uffelen
works at Aartsen's
Commercial department
in St. Katelijne-Waver.
We decided to pose
Franky a little challenge
and asked him to pen
a column for our
nonstopfresh magazine.
Being a gutsy guy,
Franky accepted.
My story starts on a Thursday, 1 February 2001, when I stepped inside the
Aartsen fruit and vegetables location in St. Katelijne-Waver, on a mission to find
a job. Though they weren't looking to hire just then, they invited me to come and
check out their operations for a day. I managed to convince them and that same
afternoon found myself driving to Breda for an interview with Henny Aartsen and
Frank van der Velden. The following Monday, 5 February, I reported to the Breda
warehouse for my first day of training.
Two weeks later, they decided I was ready to start
work in Belgium. I spent the next three years working
in the warehouse and one year in Cash & Carry,
progressing from there to become a foreman.
I made the most of this opportunity and threw myself
into the job for 14 years. During that time, I saw
Aartsen evolve in leaps and bounds to become a
reputable company. And I was there for every step
of the renovations of our premises in Belgium.
My time as a foreman taught me a great deal
and enabled me to continue developing. Still, after
14 years, I felt ready for something new, preferably
within Aartsen. I put my question to the board and,
after giving it some thought, they offered me a post
in the Commercial department. Another wonderful
opportunity, and I grabbed it. After a few weeks of
training in Venlo and Breda, I was ready to roll.
And that's how I ended up where I am now, devoting
my days to sales for Aartsen Belgium.
My colleagues passed me a few customers to
start, and I got to work actively looking for and
reeling in new or potential customers of my own.
I'm enjoying my current commercial duties
immensely. If I had to single out the one thing I like
most, it would be acquisitions. Nothing is more
satisfying than persuading a potential customer to
come by for a visit and then convincing them to do
business with us. With some customers, it can take
a year before they finally pay us that visit, but then
the satisfaction's even greater. Of course, after that
the key is to keep them buying from us on a weekly
or even daily basis.
Looking back on my career at Aartsen, I feel a
great sense of pride. But if any more interesting
challenges cross my path at Aartsen, I'm only too
happy to take them on.
nonstop
fresh/ 15