Let's meet: JP!

We recently started growing cucumbers at the Schenkeveld Side Twende location. Why did we make that decision? I (Maxime) asked Richard Schenkeveld that.
The arrival of cucumbers has given mascot Schenkie a new friend: JP! In the cartoon story, JP introduces himself to you and Richard tells more about JP's origins.

Hi Richard,

Let's catch up, shall we? Because I've noticed some nice developments within Schenkeveld. Because not only are more tomatoes growing in the Schenkeveld greenhouses, but also cucumbers?
That's right! We recently started growing cucumbers at our Schenkeveld Zijtwende location. We used to grow Piccolo tomatoes there under lighting, but because of the energy crisis, we stopped doing so. Together with the Site and Cultivation Manager of Schenkeveld Zijtwende, we decided to start growing (unlit) cucumbers. It gives this location a nice, new challenge!

Why did you specifically choose cucumbers?
Cucumbers is a crop that grows very quickly and so we have very quick harvests. In addition, the acreage in the Netherlands, in terms of cucumber cultivation, has decreased somewhat in recent years. We as Schenkeveld respond to supply and demand and the demand for cucumbers is there. From the past, we have already gained some knowledge and experience in cucumber cultivation. In fact, our founders Jan and Peter Schenkeveld also grew cucumbers.

In the comic, we are introduced to JP. Is JP sometimes your nickname?
Haha, some people indeed still call me JP sometimes. In the past, when I worked for Janand Peater, I rode on the truck to the auction. On this truck was very large JP Schenkeveld. And because I was behind the wheel of the truck so often, people started noticing this and associated me with JP. ''Hey there's JP driving again!'' I often heard that.... 

How funny! But who exactly is JP?
A few years ago, we created our mascot Schenkie. He provides a friendly and fun way of communicating internally with us. Since Schenkie often went out on his own, we were looking for another friend for him. With the arrival of cucumbers, the little cucumber man pictured on the JP truck also came back into the picture. We could see a friend for Schenkie in that. We named him JP (after Jan and Peter) and gave him a little metamorphosis.

In the comic, Schenkie and JP talk about Schenkeveld's agility. How do you look at this?
We as Schenkeveld often say: ''we want to ride on the horticulture express train, in the back of the front carriage.'' That is, we don't want to sit in the front of the front carriage and try everything out for the first time, but we want to sit in the back of the front carriage because that's where we see things come to fruition and we can apply this in the organisation. We turn to supply and demand within the market and for that we have good people at the helm, modern techniques and good mentality. ''Bring it on!''

What are you looking forward to in the coming period?
At Schenkeveld, we play The Champions League among tomato growers. We like to win and be the best. Our aim is always to be in the top three among tomato growers. In cucumbers, too, we see the challenge in this; again, we want to be among the best. That gives us satisfaction and adrenaline. In the coming time, we will start, I am looking forward to that!

Nice Richard, these are again nice and innovative developments within Schenkeveld. That Champions League cup is surely going to be there