In the Netherlands, there are all-around celebrations. The Greenery and Coforta are marking anniversaries. As is Frans Scholts.
He is the Hoogsteder Group's managing director. He takes us through 40 years that have flown by. Frans started his career in optics. For six years, he sold glasses and frames.
"Until my brother asked me to build up the French market at Hoogsteder. That was a challenge. I was only familiar with the commercial side of things. That was thanks to my previous job. But, it turned out to be exactly what I needed," Frans begins.
Daring to do things
"I said, 'I'll be speaking French in three months, then we can begin. The French aren't the most patient if you don't speak their language well. My sister was a French teacher at the time; that helped. As did my weekly visits to the Alliance Française. In practice, however, you learn the most from your mistakes. It shouldn't cost too much money, but you must dare to do things. Not just in language, but in everything you do."
Steven Martina congratulates Frans.
From jack-of-all-trades to director
"In the beginning, I was a junior buyer and seller. I was a jack-of-all-trades. I worked in the warehouse, did the transport, and was involved in the administration; I went through all the departments. Don't be fooled; we only had one computer for the bookkeeping. We did everything else by telex - still without cell phones - and typewriters. Like preparing customs papers and lading bills. You had to get your trucks to the French border in time, which closed at 10 pm. If that went wrong, you had to be creative to get it done anyway," says Frans.
Like it is my company
"In 1997, I became a director at Hoogsteder. But, I've always worked like it was my own company. So you pay close attention to what you do. And you instruct the people around you in the same way. I often ask my employees: 'Would you make this deal if you were working for yourself? You must always include that thought in commerce. When I started, our turnover was 10 to 12 million guilders. Now we're close to €150 million. That's quite a change. My weekly hours? No idea; I'm actually always busy. Fortunately, I have a fantastic wife. She gives me the space I need."
Coming up with creative solutions
"I was a good footballer and high-scoring striker in my younger days. I'd have loved to play internationally at a high level. But you can certainly compare fruit and vegetable export to the Champions League. That's when it comes to sharpness, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. And I think it's worked out well. If there's one thing that doesn't fit into rigid frameworks, it's the fruit and vegetable sector; every day is different. The weather is of great influence. Every day brings new challenges, and I like finding creative solutions," Frans explains.
"I often say to my people, 'You sometimes have to wiggle the reed for a while; it will spring back on its own'. Our sector has undergone great changes - scaling-up, leadership changes, and modified strategies. So, you have to change. Preferably ahead of the market. But that isn't always easy. It's exceptional that we're still standing proudly as a company."
Pride and gratitude
"I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am. I have been able to do this with such fantastic colleagues for so long," says Scholts. "I'm extremely proud of them and their loyalty to the company. People stay with our company for a long time, often more than ten years. I think that characterizes the atmosphere. It's all about getting the right people in the right place."
"And being an attractive employer. When the time comes, I want to leave the companies in as good positions as possible. And I want to guide our personnel in the right direction towards their future roles," Frans concludes. What is next? On to the next anniversary. In 2022 Frans will have been Hoogsteder's managing director for 25 years.
You can congratulate Frans here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-greenery_jubileum-groente-fruit-activity-6876438717129748480-W0z7