Sven Jong takes over the role of Managing Director from Paul Jong: The next generation’s turn
The Jong family is taking the next step into the future of the family business, Paul Jong B.V. This year, Sven Jong has taken over the role of Managing Director from his father, Paul Jong. With this, the daily management is now in the hands of Paul’s four children: Niels, Emiel, Sven, and Nadieh. We look forward to continuing to build the future of our family business together.
Sven Jong, who has had a passion for flowers from a young age, brings extensive experience within the company. “I grew up among flowers. At the age of eight, I was already selling flowers from my cargo bike, accompanying my father Paul to the auction, and learning the fine tricks of the flower trade from him. Together with my brothers and sister, we are proud to take on this responsibility,” says Sven. His focus will be on daily operations, strategic growth, and maintaining close relationships with growers.
Sven Jong, Nadieh Jong, Niels Jong, Emiel Jong
Paul Jong and Sven Jong
Ready-to-sell bouquets for supermarkets across Europe
We specialize in processing flowers into supermarket-ready bouquets for major retailers across Europe. Sven: “Our strength lies in the complete package With our own fleet of trucks, long-term partnerships with more than 100 growers, and an in-house processing facility in Zwaagdijk-Oost, we handle the entire process from sourcing to export on behalf of retailers. We offer a wide range of seasonal flowers such as tulips, peonies, lilies, sunflowers, gladioli, and amaryllises, which we process into mono or mixed bouquets. We also supply roses and mixed bouquets year-round. With a team that operates flexibly and efficiently all year long, we make sure our flowers always reach the customer in ultra-fresh condition.”
Wholesale delivery
In addition to retail, we also directly supply wholesalers, including various florists and small retailers in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. We handle the transportation to these wholesale customers ourselves, allowing us to act quickly and flexibly. In the coming years, we will increasingly focus on this sector as we see that the demand for directly delivered fresh flowers in these markets continues to grow. This offers opportunities for further expansion and strengthening of our position in Europe.
Dedicated housing for migrant workers
Migrant workers play an important role in our company in the processing of flowers into bouquets. Under the leadership of Nadieh Jong, we have invested in our own housing facilities, including two migrant hostels that provide ample space for seasonal workers. “By organizing our own housing, we can quickly adapt and offer a pleasant living environment,” explains Nadieh. “We see it as our responsibility to take good care of our migrant workers. This is not only important for them, but it also benefits the continuity and quality of our work processes.”
Building on a strong foundation
Sustainability is a key focus for us. Our company is already completely self-sufficient, meaning we do not use gas and generate all the energy we need with our own solar panels. In the coming years, the focus will be on making our company even more sustainable. Automation and even closer collaboration with growers will also play a central role in the coming years. Sven: “By coordinating the range and cultivation together, we can make optimal use of the knowledge and market insights of the growers. They know exactly what is happening in the market, and together we strive for market-conform prices. This allows us to position ourselves stronger in the market and meet consumer expectations better.”
Although Paul is no longer involved in the daily operations, he remains connected to the company. “It is wonderful to see how my children are taking on leadership together. Our business ethos, based on collaboration and trust, remains central, and I am convinced that the company will continue to grow with my children at the helm,” says Paul.