Profile of Johan Van Herreweghe
PROFILE : JVH Nurseries
Owners :
Johan Van Herreweghe, Godelieve Lybaert
Type of Business :
Worldwide export nursery
Service area:
All continents
Year company formed :
1870
Johan Van Herreweghe has incorporated the long experience of four generations in his growing export-nursery. Johan's great grandfather started the company in the late 1800's. His father, Willem, was the pioneer, who trekked to Canada in the early 1950's in search for new customers in Quebec and Ontario. (At that time obstructive regulations such as the washing of the roots, were not operative.)
The new name JVH - The Green Line emerged in 1973.
Since 1980 Johan and his wife, Godelieve, visit customers in Eastern Canada and since 1997 they started to scout the West Coast and beautiful B.C. They have seen significant growth in their new BC market. Every spring and summer Johan sees his customers all over Europe; he believes personal contact is very important to sales success. In August he travels throughout Eastern and Western Canada. The knowledge of many foreign languages enables him to communicate with most of his customers in their own mother-tongue. This is a great asset and is appreciated everywhere.
Today, JVH Nurseries ships plants to different European countries, Canada, USA, Japan, China, Russia, South Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Central and Latin America.
In recognition of his unique and successful exports to South-Africa; Johan, along with 19 other 'Captains of Industry' were invited by the Prime Minister to join him on his state-visit to South-Africa. Johan states, 'The most remarkable of all the official events was the welcoming by the charismatic ex-president Nelson Mandela.
This privileged invitation and the great interest of the media impressed our customers and stimulated our business.'
The United nations interviews Johan on location at JVH nurseries for broadcast in Eastern Europe
Belgium, smaller than Vancouver Island, has a population of 10 million people. This makes Belgium one of the most densily populated countries of the world. JVH Nurseries is located near Ghent, the provincial capital of East Flanders, 50 Km west of Brussels. The area around Ghent, the floral city, represents 80% of the Belgian horticultural industry. The Belgian nursery stock production is concentrated in this one province.
Belgian Horticulture offers a full range of products and is primarily aimed at the export trade. The strategic geographical location in the heart of Europe stimulates our exports to the neighbouring countries.
Copyright HORTWEST
This profile was published in Hortwest magazine Canada