From then to now

Jansen’s Overseas was founded by Rein Jansen in 1964. After he completed his advanced elementary education and finished secondary horticultural school in Lisse, at 21 years of age he started renting various parcels of land for cultivating flower bulbs. A few years later, he purchased a piece of land with a flower bulb barn on it in the Schippersvaartweg in Noordwijkerhout. Rein worked in the nursery in the spring, summer and fall; in the winter he travelled throughout Europe and the USA marketing his bulbs. This is how he was able to build up a solid clientele.

Jansen’s Overseas B.V. is still situated in the heart of the bulb-growing area (Bollenstreek), but a lot has changed since the company was founded. In addition to the nursery and a fast-growing trading organization, we started raising bulbs in crates and pots in 1984. These raised flower bulbs are marketed in various delivery stages, responding to our customers’ wishes and needs.
Son-in-law Dennis van der Krogt has been working at Jansen’s Overseas B.V. since 1996, and he has been a part of the management board since 2010. Roland Duindam joined the management team at the same time.

Jansen’s Overseas B.V. has developed into a state-of-the-art company whose priority is to deliver products of superior quality. Characteristic of this family-run business is its high degree of involvement, strong relationship with customers and continuous willingness to go the extra mile for maximum customer satisfaction.

Heads in baskets

1955

This photo proves that a love for flower bulbs is in the family’s blood. Knelis Jansen, father of Rein Jansen, already worked with bulbs before Jansen's Overseas B.V. was founded. The photo shows “Pa Jansen” and a colleague “beheading” daffodils in the countryside. The flower is “beheaded” and collected in a basket; the basket is placed at the end of the bed.
This prevents viruses and infections by not allowing the “beheaded” flowers to decay in the paths between the beds.

Germany tour

1968

A German hauler picked up the customers’ orders in order to deliver them in Germany. The bulbs were packaged in boxes and sacks, stacked on pallets. The truck was still loaded and unloaded by hand. There was no staff yet at this time, so Rein Jansen did everything himself.

On the way to planting

1969
Rein Jansen on the tractor with a trailer full of daffodils. These were boiled and placed in sacks, ready to be transported to the country where daffodils are planted.

In the background we see the barn where it all began. Today, the barn is used as a private garage.

Pa Jansen

1972

“Pa” Knelis Jansen dug up the last meter of bulbs by hand at age 65, before he retired. Of course, being a true Jansen, this did not mean that Pa Jansen stopped working. When his son Rein was on a business trip abroad, Pa Jansen took the helm and kept an eye on the company.
After all, the bulb business is either in your blood or it isn’t.

Barn greenhouses

1974

In 1974, the company was expanded with the placement of barn greenhouses. Everyday activities were performed here: drying, shelling, treating, growing, production of orders and preparation of exports. During this phase, Jansen's Overseas B.V. experienced enormous growth, and after 5 years these barn greenhouses were dismantled and replaced by the current Building 1.

Containers in front of the door

1976

The containers in the background were loaded with bulbs packaged in boxes and forcing trays for customers in the USA and Canada. Loading took place in Building 2, constructed in 1976.

The daffodils were stored in baskets in front of the containers. That’s because there was not enough storage capacity inside and daffodils were (and still are) best stored outside because this is simply the ideal storage solution for daffodils. Every evening and when it rained, a tarp was pulled over the bulbs to ward off moisture; during the day when the weather was nice the tarp was removed.

Photo taken from Rein Jansen’s front yard.

Aerial photo taken in 198

1983

This aerial photo shows that the front of the building has been graced with a new plaque bearing the company’s name. At that time, only one loading door was used – over the years this has become 4 loading/unloading doors.

The empty forcing trays were stored on the street and on the side of the business.

Collecting daffodils

1988

Staff member Cornelis Warmerdam worked with an insect screen to separate the sand from the daffodils.

The flower bulbs were dug up into ‘windrows’ with a machine. After the bulbs had dried sufficiently, they were collected, and the viable bulbs were sorted by size and by hand, on one’s knees. The young plants were collected later and stored in daffodil cages.
The shoveling of the bulbs was also done by machine at that time, but given that this was a particularly expensive daffodil, it was decided to do this by hand so as to prevent the chance of damage.

In the background we see Building 3, constructed in 1987.

Export commotion at Jansen

1995

This photo shows a number of containers that were shipped to the USA and Canada within a three-day time frame. At the time, this was justifiably called a top-class product at Jansen's Overseas B.V.

Aerial photo taken in 2000

2000

Compared to the aerial photo taken in 1983, we see a number of changes in the facilities at Jansen's Overseas B.V.
Buildings 1-3 were further expanded with the addition of Buildings 4-6. These house both air-conditioned storage areas as well as production areas, with a total surface area of ± 11,000 m².

Town Hall in 2006

2006

The Oranjevereniging (Orange Association) of Noordwijkerhout approached Rein Jansen with a request to place “a few” pots of flower bulbs in front of the Noordwijkerhout Town Hall. This was in connection with the “Olympia’s Tour”, which passed through Noordwijkerhout. This tour is a popular Dutch cycling stage race.
As this photo clearly shows, Rein Jansen complied with the request and provided “a few” flower pots.

Town Hall in 2010

2010

Once again the Town Hall is beautifully decorated with the blooming products of Jansen's Overseas B.V.
The municipality of Noordwijkerhout contacted Rein Jansen again on the occasion of the 65th annual festivities celebrating the liberation of the Netherlands , the 30th anniversary celebration of Queen Beatrix’s reign and the anniversary celebration of the Oranjevereniging (Orange Association) of Noordwijkerhout.

Town Hall in 2013

2013

Thank you, Queen Beatrix!
1980 - 2013

End of Queen Beatrix’s reign. After 33 years of dedicated service, Queen Beatrix decided to lay down her royal duties.
Rein Jansen went to the Noordwijkerhout City Council to make sure that this event would not go unnoticed, and mutual talks resulted in the decision to create a lovely and colorful thank-you.