Interview with Luuk van der Haak - Bos Flowers & Orchids
Bos Flowers & Orchids has a proud 125-year history. It remains very much a family business, now run by the third and fourth generations. Around 14 years ago, alongside Freesia cultivation, the company expanded into growing exclusive orchids. This move was accompanied by major sustainability investments, including geothermal connections, an additional heat pump, solar panels and heat and cold storage systems.
Today, Bos Flowers & Orchids is a trusted name in the orchid sector and the Dutch region it calls home. In addition to the beautiful products it grows, the company also boasts an on-site shop that attracts orchid lovers from far and wide. To learn more about this unique business, we sat down with Luuk van der Haak, production manager at Bos Flowers & Orchids.
Could you tell us something about yourself?
Of course! My name is Luuk van der Haak, and I’m 27 years old. My journey at Bos Flowers & Orchids started early—I began working in production at just 14. Over time, I took on responsibility for overseeing all orchid sites and managing energy systems.
Although I don’t come from a horticultural family, I was born just across the street from this site, so you could say I grew up surrounded by greenhouse horticulture. After completing secondary school, it felt natural to pursue horticultural studies. But before I had even finished, a position opened up here as cultivation manager. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I seized it with both hands—and I’ve never looked back.
Since then, I’ve built expertise in energy management, which is increasingly critical to the business, as well as in expanding the exclusive orchid range. I’m also actively involved in setting up new production sites.
Speaking of energy management, can you tell us about your sustainability strategy?
We are investing heavily in sustainable practices. All sites are now fully equipped with LED lighting, and we are replacing our thermal screens to further improve energy efficiency. Sustainability is also central to our production. For example, we have replaced plastic sleeves with cardboard covers. They are more environmentally friendly and have greater appeal at the retail level. We continually seek fully biological and sustainable crop protection agents as well. And as our team grows, so too do our opportunities to strengthen these initiatives, since everyone contributes expertise from their own field.
What other developments have there been in recent years?
About 18 months ago, we acquired a site in Monster. This was a major milestone for us, as it marked our first expansion outside Poeldijk. It was a deliberate decision because, in such a competitive market, it is essential to keep growing. What makes the work so rewarding is the
strength of our teams at all our sites: ambitious young people who take care of everything and help create a positive atmosphere.
That team spirit is the driving force behind our growth. Our organisational structure is open and cooperative: every voice counts, and colleagues are always ready to support one another. While each site has its own dedicated team, during peak periods, we can reassign people to help at other sites. This fosters cooperation and shared responsibility.
I began as a cultivation manager, and as our product range expanded, I assumed responsibility for a second site.
How do you view your partnership with Anthura?
We are very pleased to have Anthura as a partner. In 2022, we started growing Barrocco Red, and around eight other Anthura cultivars have since been added to the range.
Our aim is to offer a comprehensive selection of exclusive top-quality orchids. Every newcomer is rigorously tested to ensure it aligns with our strategy. Anthura gives us a foundation by supplying uniform, healthy and vigorous plants. Bos Flowers and Orchids then takes it further, cultivating the finest end products. We set ourselves apart by offering unique orchids with a high number of buds and flowering stems. It’s fantastic to see how well retailers respond to our combined efforts!
Anthura’s Barrocco series illustrates this perfectly: these beautiful products meet both our expectations and our quality standards. Over the past three years, the market has shown robust demand. It’s a luxury product for enthusiasts, and the positive response gives us great confidence in the future.
You recently launched the Bos Orchid Store, where you sell directly to consumers. Could you tell us more?
We had wanted to open our own shop for quite some time. When we acquired the nursery in Monster, with its favourable location and steady passing traffic, the opportunity was perfect. A large free plot on the site made it an ideal place to set up a shop. The Bos Orchid Store is our showcase—a place where consumers can see what we do and admire our products. We offer tips and customers give us face-to-face feedback in return, which helps us make the right cultivation choices.
The shop is doing exceptionally well, thanks in large part to the dedicated team running it. We have also introduced a second line—the sale of perennials to match the growing season. At the same time, we continue to improve the shop’s layout, and who knows—we may even open more branches in the future.
How do you see the company’s future?
Alongside developing new ranges within our Exclusiva Orchidea brand and pursuing further growth and expansion, our focus remains firmly on maintaining outstanding product quality.
Many challenges still lie ahead, including sustainability, shifting consumer demands and international partnerships.
Meeting these challenges requires continuous attention and effort, as does maintaining the strength of our team. The growth we have experienced in recent years would not have been possible without our people, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.
