A day of celebration at Van Ooijen Citrus. The company in Ridderkerk marked its 50th anniversary. However, the Van Ooijen name has been linked to the fruit trade for much longer. As early as 1934, Han van Ooijen began trading fruits and vegetables at the wholesale market on Noordplein in Rotterdam.
In 1955, his son Sjaak van Ooijen took over the business, and a few years later, the wholesale market moved to the Spaanse Polder in Rotterdam. When Sjaak van Ooijen retired in 1974, his two sons, Hans and Gerry, started their own company.
After several relocations within the wholesale market, the business gradually shifted from wholesale to import/export. The opportunity arose to build a new distribution center in Ridderkerk, right at the heart of the fresh produce trade.
The new complex was completed in 2002, and the company relocated to Handelsweg. In 2012, Hans van Ooijen decided to step back from day-to-day operations, and Marcel van der Welle, Jacco Gielen, and Tom Leenheer joined Gerry van Ooijen on the Van Ooijen Citrus management team.
"In Ridderkerk, after years of wholesale trading, Van Ooijen Citrus has increasingly shifted its focus towards imports. Our team now consists of 11 people. Our strength lies in our service—anything is possible, and if necessary, we're available 24 hours a day for our customers. This is made easier because everyone lives nearby," says Marcel, who invites all business partners to drop by for a pastry.
For more information
Van Ooijen Citrus BV
Handelsweg 149
2988 DC Ridderkerk
Tel: +31 (0)180 655 555
[email protected]
www.vanooijencitrus.nl