Thirty years ago, Giel Hermans started growing sweetcorn on a small scale on half a hectare during his studies. In the early years with the necessary support from mother Mieke, the cultivation was scaled up year after year. The rest is history. Today, Hermans Suikermais cultivates over 100 hectares, with more than 500 hectares internationally, allowing them to supply their customers with sweet corn year-round.
A proud Giel in the midst of wife, daughters, and parents
To mark the 30th anniversary, there was a celebration in Kessel on Friday. Giel handed the first copy of the anniversary magazine, produced by Fresh Publishers, to his mother.
First copy for mother Mieke
In the afternoon, customers and suppliers of Hermans Sweet Corn were invited to take a tour of the processing facility, where Dutch sweet corn has now made way for the Spanish season. Afterward, there was plenty of opportunity to catch up over Limburgse vlaai, carpaccio, and croquettes from Giel's own butcher shop. In the evening, family, friends, and colleagues were invited, and the dancing began.
Theo Thielen of Fris-Co Fruit & Vegetables, Thei Hendriks and Lau Verheijen of Frankort & Koning, Con Storm of Hermans Sweetcorn.
In a speech, Giel expressed that he had not lost his enthusiasm for sweet corn. "Over the past thirty years, corn consumption in the Netherlands has increased from 40 grams to 80 grams per person. However, in the United States, the annual consumption is 10 kilos, equivalent to thirty ears of corn, so we still have a long way to go. In short, spread the word," said Giel, who also thanked his mother—"essentially our first packaging machine"—and his three housemates, referred to as "the corn sisters." "Behind every entrepreneur stands a strong woman. I am also extremely proud of all the employees with whom we have achieved this together."
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Purchasers Martijn Schot of Albert Heijn and Nick van de Ree of Bakker Barendrecht
The first copy of the anniversary magazine was presented to Mother Mieke, but all participants also took home a glossy copy. In this magazine, Giel shares an in-depth look at the company's history and his vision for the future. It also features employees and customers, including Albert Heijn, Bakker Barendrecht, BUD Holland, Fris-Co, Nature's Pride, and Staay Food Group Papendrecht/Venlo. The anniversary magazine can be viewed online below.
For more information:
Giel Hermans
Hermans Suikermais
Donk 1a
5995 PL Kessel
Tel: +31 (0)6 5475 7764
[email protected]
www.mielies.nl