The international press and buyers visiting GrootGroenPlus this week headed out into the region on Thursday 1 October for a press tour to several companies. The programme included visits to Crum Boomkwekerijen, Damcon BV, Boomkwekerij Cor Huibers and De Batterijen. The day concluded at De Bosrand Garden Centre in Rijsbergen, after which the group returned to GrootGroenPlus for the network dinner.

The press tour gave the international visitors a broad impression of the Dutch tree nursery industry and the companies operating around it. At Crum Boomkwekerijen in Dodewaard, the visitors were introduced to a wide range of standard, ornamental and fruit trees, as well as the company’s own production of saplings. The company combines its own cultivation with trading and logistics and supplies customers worldwide.

At Damcon BV in Opheusden, the focus was on mechanisation for tree nurseries. For over 55 years, the company has developed and supplied machinery for the tree nursery industry and operates globally. Its range of machinery covers virtually all aspects of tree nursery operations, including gantry tractors capable of working on several rows simultaneously.

Boomkwekerij Cor Huibers in Opheusden was also visited. Here, the guests were introduced to the wide variety of tree nursery products, ranging from ornamental plants and conifers to avenue and park trees, multi-stemmed trees, shaped trees and fruit trees. The company grows plants both in the open soil and in containers.

At De Batterijen in Ochten, history, assortment and sustainability came together. The nursery’s history dates back to shortly after the Second World War and today it offers a wide range of plants. Everything De Batterijen produces at its own nursery is 100 per cent ‘On the way to PlanetProof’ certified.

De Bosrand stayed open longer
As can happen on a day like this, the programme ran somewhat behind schedule. Traffic in the Netherlands was one of the reasons why the group arrived later than planned. De Bosrand Garden Centre in Rijsbergen therefore stayed open a little longer especially for the international guests, allowing them to complete the final visit of the programme. The garden centre has a 7,000 m² shop as well as a 3,000 m² outdoor area featuring a vast range of plants for the garden.

Despite a delay of around 45 minutes, the group made it back to the GrootGroenPlus trade fair floor for the network dinner. This provided an opportunity to discuss the impressions of the day and further strengthen contacts between the international visitors and participants.

Cheque for Stichting Nationale Boomfeestdag
There was also a special moment during the dinner for Stichting Nationale Boomfeestdag. GGP board member Corianne Oudijk presented a cheque to Marjolein Kloek.

Stichting Nationale Boomfeestdag has been associated with GrootGroenPlus as a charity for many years. With this contribution, GrootGroenPlus supports the foundation’s mission to actively involve children with trees and nature.
In this way, the day once again reflected the theme of GrootGroenPlus 2026: Growing Together. From international knowledge exchange and a behind-the-scenes look at Dutch companies to new contacts on the trade fair floor and collaboration for a greener future.