The Aardam you know and trust remains. Together, we are building for the future.
Aardam has been acquired by Elstgeest Young Plants. This is an important step for our company, but one in which we have deliberately chosen continuity.
That is why the most important message for you is: For the time being, Aardam will remain the Aardam you know.
You will continue to work with the same contacts, place your orders in the same way and rely on the same quality, service and personal attention you are used to. Our employees will stay too: everyone will keep their job.
Arthur Spruit will also remain closely involved with Aardam over the coming years to ensure a careful transfer of his knowledge, experience and relationships.
So, for the time being, little will change. Behind the scenes, however, an exciting new chapter is beginning.
Why are we taking this step?
After many years as an entrepreneur, Arthur has decided to gradually reduce his day-to-day involvement with Aardam. At the same time, the current location offers insufficient opportunities to develop the company further in the longer term.
For Arthur, therefore, the important question was not only whether Aardam would have a new owner, but above all who that new owner would be. Preserving the team, the relationships with customers and suppliers and Aardam's personal way of working all played an important role in this decision.
In Elstgeest Young Plants, Arthur has found a company that shares the same values: quality, reliability, craftsmanship and personal commitment.
“I only wanted to hand over my company to a party that I knew would continue the way we work. Our customers, employees and suppliers deserve a company where quality, trust and personal relationships remain at the heart of the business. In Debbie and Daan Elstgeest, I have found the right successors.”
Arthur Spruit – Aardam
Why are Aardam and Elstgeest such a good fit?
Aardam and Elstgeest Young Plants serve many of the same professional growers, while our product ranges complement each other very well. That creates a great opportunity.
By gradually bringing together our knowledge, experience and product ranges, we will be able to offer our customers more without losing what makes both companies strong today.
Together, Aardam and Elstgeest Young Plants represent more than 150 years of experience in the horticultural sector.
We will preserve what works well and build on it for the future.
What does this mean for you as a customer?
For the time being, nothing will change. Your trusted contacts will remain. Orders and deliveries will continue as usual and existing agreements will remain unchanged.
In the longer term, we expect to be able to offer you even more. The complementary product ranges and combined knowledge and experience of Aardam and Elstgeest Young Plants will create new opportunities to support you even better.
But there is no need to rush. Any changes will be introduced step by step, and only when we are confident that they will bring a genuine improvement.
“We fully understand that a change of ownership may raise questions. That is why we have deliberately chosen continuity and stability. Customers should be able to continue relying on the people, quality and personal service they know from Aardam. At the same time, we will work together to create new opportunities for the future.”
Debbie Elstgeest
And what about our suppliers?
For our suppliers, cooperation will continue as usual for the time being. Your contact persons and existing agreements will remain the same. The personal, long-term relationships Aardam has built with its suppliers are extremely valuable to us, and we want to preserve these relationships in the future.
Our people will remain Aardam
Aardam is more than a name, a product range or a nursery. Above all, it is the people who are there for our customers every day. That is why it was important to Arthur that, as part of the acquisition, all employees would keep their jobs.
Their knowledge, experience and commitment will remain within the company and, together with the people of Elstgeest Young Plants, will form an important foundation for the future.
Arthur himself will also remain closely involved over the coming years. This will allow knowledge and relationships to be transferred carefully and ensure continuity throughout the process.
Moving forward with confidence. Stronger together.
A new chapter is beginning for Aardam, but we are taking everything that has made our company strong with us into the future: our people, our knowledge, our relationships and our personal way of working.
Together with Elstgeest Young Plants, we are adding new expertise, a complementary product range and new opportunities.
Aardam remains the company you know today. Together, we are building for tomorrow.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to call or email your usual contact person. We will be happy to tell you more personally.
Q&A – Acquisition of Aardam by Elstgeest Young Plants
1. Why has Elstgeest Young Plants acquired Aardam?
This acquisition brings together two respected companies with complementary strengths in knowledge, experience and product range. While both companies serve many of the same customers, their product portfolios complement each other very well. This enables us to offer an even broader range of products and an even stronger level of service in the future, while making our organisation ready for the years ahead.
2. Why has Arthur Spruit decided to sell his company?
After many successful years as an entrepreneur, Arthur Spruit has decided to gradually reduce his day-to-day involvement in the business and focus more on other activities. In addition, Aardam's current location no longer offers sufficient opportunities for long-term growth. For Arthur, it was essential to find a partner that shares the same values and would continue to care for his customers, employees and suppliers. He found that partner in Elstgeest Young Plants.
3. Will anything change for customers?
No. For the time being, nothing will change for customers.
You will continue to work with the same contact persons, place your orders in the usual way and receive the same quality, service and reliable deliveries that you are familiar with.
4. Will Aardam's employees remain with the company?
Yes. All employees will remain part of the organisation. Their knowledge, experience and commitment are an important reason why this partnership is so valuable.
5. Will Arthur Spruit remain involved?
Yes. Arthur will remain actively involved with Aardam over the coming years. Initially, he will focus on ensuring a smooth transfer of knowledge and maintaining continuity. After that, he will continue to gradually transfer his expertise and customer relationships to Debbie and Daan Elstgeest, creating a solid foundation for the future.
6. Will the company names change immediately?
No. Both Elstgeest Young Plants and Aardam will continue to operate under their own names for the time being. At a later stage, both organisations will be further integrated. Customers will be informed well in advance of any future changes.
7. Why is this acquisition good news for customers?
By joining forces, we are creating an organisation with a broader product range, more specialist knowledge and greater continuity. This will enable us to support our customers even better in the future and respond more effectively to developments in the market.
8. When will customers notice any changes?
The coming period will focus entirely on a careful transfer of knowledge and responsibilities. The first visible developments are expected from early 2027 onwards. The planned integration of both companies at one shared location is currently scheduled for the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.
9. Will contracts, prices or delivery conditions change?
No. Existing agreements, contracts and working methods will remain unchanged. If anything changes in the future, we will always communicate this personally and well in advance.
10. Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have any questions about our partnership or the acquisition, please contact your usual contact person at either Aardam or Elstgeest Young Plants. We will be happy to answer your questions and keep you informed of any future developments.
11. Will the quality I am used to remain the same?
Yes. The quality, care and personal service that customers have come to expect from both Aardam and Elstgeest Young Plants will remain our priority. Preserving these strengths was one of the main reasons for bringing our companies together.
12. Why is this good news for the horticultural sector?
By combining our strengths, we are creating a future-ready organisation that can continue to invest in knowledge, innovation, product development and continuity. This enables us to support professional growers even better and contribute to a strong and sustainable future for the horticultural sector.
