In its 125th anniversary year, Dutch company Albers Alligator has joined AVAG, the Dutch association for greenhouse technology suppliers. The decision reflects the ambitions of owners Michael van der Windt and Lennard Blijdorp to raise the company's profile in the market. The two friends took over the Wageningen-based business two years ago. The company specialises in the storage and covering of manure for the agricultural sector, and is known in horticulture for its water storage and water covering products.
Like many Dutch horticultural suppliers, Albers Alligator operates internationally. Van der Windt and Blijdorp saw a strong future in the business and acquired the shares from previous owner Ronald Edel in 2024. "Global food production is increasing. Fresh water is a challenge in every country. It is an international issue that is becoming more pressing. Growers around the world are increasingly recognising the importance of good water management," says Michael van der Windt.
The history of Albers Alligator dates back to 1901. The former family business started as a leather goods and saddlery company. "The best leather at the time came from alligators," Van der Windt explains, accounting for the company's distinctive name. "We have updated the branding over the years, but the name and the crocodile in the logo had to stay." Innovation has been a constant throughout the company's history. "We experiment a great deal and are not afraid of a challenge, how can you do something even better? That is in the DNA of this company."
© AVAG
Prefabricated in-house
Recent product developments include the SiloDome, a dome structure that fully covers water silos while keeping them accessible, and the Multi-F Solar, a floating photovoltaic installation that simultaneously covers water basins. Albers Alligator also manages the installation of basins. All components are prefabricated in-house, and one or two supervisors travel with international projects.
International growth
Historically, Albers Alligator was strongest in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries. Under the new management, the number of international projects is set to grow rapidly. "We have a lot of ambition. We have completed many projects in the United States, and we are active in Scandinavia, Japan and Canada, where we completed our largest project to date: a basin measuring 500 metres long and 150 metres wide. Projects in the Netherlands remain a challenge and are equally rewarding."
'Time to show ourselves more'
Within the partnership, Lennard Blijdorp focuses on internal operations, while Michael van der Windt takes on the external-facing role. Increased visibility is a key reason for joining AVAG. "In the Netherlands, many projects come in through dealers and groundwork contractors; internationally, we work with large greenhouse builders and installers. Many of our dealers are already AVAG members. That is where your industry peers are. We have a well-known name, people in the Netherlands and abroad know Albers Alligator. But we feel it is time to make ourselves even more visible."
For more information:
AVAG
[email protected]
www.avag.nl
Albers Alligator
[email protected]
https://albersalligator.com/
