Dümmen Orange appoints Rik van Wijk as Director R&D Operations
Dümmen Orange has appointed Rik van Wijk as Director R&D Operations. He will assume responsibility for leading the breeder's R&D operations globally.
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Rik holds a PhD in Breeding & Genetics from Wageningen University and succeeds Kees Hertogh, who plans to retire after a successful 5-year tenure at Dümmen Orange, during which he led the construction of the Breeding Technology Centre in De Lier (the Netherlands).
“We are very pleased to have Rik join Dümmen Orange,” says Hans van den Heuvel, Managing Director R&D. “He worked with a range of international seed, animal genetics and plant research companies. Throughout the years he gradually moved into people leadership roles and managed various teams in research, breeding and R&D operations. His strong managerial and subject-matter background is a great fit for Dümmen Orange."
“This is a fantastic opportunity to combine my experience with Dümmen Orange’s front-running role and ambitious agenda in combining Breeding and Breeding Technology," says Rik. "I fully share Dümmen Orange’s belief in the power of advanced breeding technology to drive innovations. Dümmen Orange is a true floritech company where all relevant research disciplines collaborate to develop solutions to innovate floriculture. The Breeding Technology Centre in the Netherlands is the largest facility for floriculture research and development in the world, a high-tech home for international pioneering scientists, breeders and specialists to set new standards in floriculture genetics and breeding excellence. I couldn't think of a more inspiring work environment."
Dümmen Orange is a global leader in the breeding and propagation of cut flowers, pot plants, bedding plants, perennials, tropical plants and bulbs. Its annual turnover is about 370 million euro. The company employs 7.500 people worldwide. In addition to a large marketing and sales network, Dümmen Orange has a diversified network of specialized production sites and a world class R&D team developing innovative, value-added products for customers. Researchers and breeders collaborate to improve crop characteristics, like flower colour, fragrance and growth habit, but also less visible traits such as disease resistance, yield performance and vase or shelf life. Dümmen Orange develops products for a wide range of categories in the floriculture business and has an impressive variety portfolio.
