Koos has been connected to Hazera for nearly half a century, but his story actually began much earlier. As a five-year-old boy, he would accompany his father, who was Head of Cleaning. “On weekends, I went along to start up the machines or check equipment,” Koos recalls. In 1979, he officially started with holiday work in the packaging department. After that, he worked in various areas of the company: from driving trucks and cleaning seeds to the coating department. Today, he is the familiar face at Reception in Made, where he handles daily tasks ranging from receiving to logistics.
What’s a common myth about this market?
“People often think seeds are simple because ‘they’re just seeds.’ But they don’t realize how much work, time, and cost go into developing them. The breeding process often takes years,” Koos explains. “Before a product reaches the market, there’s already been a huge investment. That’s why some seeds are expensive.”
What’s the most important personal trait someone needs for working in your sector?
Koos believes an agricultural background helps, but it’s not essential. “Even more important is genuine interest in seeds and a willingness to learn. Without curiosity and openness, you won’t succeed. Understanding what’s happening is crucial for planning the work properly.”
Tell us about a project you’re proud of and why.
“The move from Barendrecht to Made was one of the biggest challenges. I coordinated the relocation and made sure trucks arrived on time and in the right places.” Meanwhile, the harvest continued, requiring additional planning. “It was a complex period full of schedules. Sometimes 10 trucks arrived at once. I’m proud that, despite the stress, everything went smoothly.”
What does ‘Hazera – Growing Together’ mean to you?
“We used to say ‘Success through cooperation.’ It’s basically the same. For me, Growing Together means we do it together. Everyone is needed: without one, the other can’t continue. If cleaning stops, everything stops. If reception doesn’t run, things stall too. Good teamwork is essential.”
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
Koos pauses. Most people know him as an open book with a heart for the company. “My wife often says I’m married to Hazera and she’s my second wife,” he laughs. “Hazera really feels like family. When I walked here with my father, my wife wasn’t even born yet.” Then he adds: “I’m now the longest-serving employee. I can honestly say I’ve seen everyone in Made come in.”
What lessons have you learned that you’d pass on to younger colleagues?
“The most important lesson: stay calm before you act. I learned this by making mistakes. It’s about moving forward with patience and perseverance. And I’ve learned that no one is indispensable. Even colleagues who worked here for 40 years and thought the company couldn’t do without them turned out to be replaceable. That may sound harsh, but it helps you put things in perspective. The work always goes on.”
What do you hope the company achieves in the coming years?
“More space. We really need new facilities in Made to have enough capacity to grow. And,” Koos adds, “I hope I get to see that happen!”
If we opened a time capsule from your first year here, what would we find?
Koos thinks back to his holiday job in packaging. “Probably packets of flower seeds we used to sell in stores. My first job was filling, sealing, and packing those packets.”
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