80 Years Könst Alstroemeria

Nieuwveen The Netherlands
Facatativa Colombia
Holambra Brazil

Könst Alstroemeria celebrates today its 80th anniversary. On the 19th of February 1946 the father of Mr. Hans Könst started to grow carnations in the Netherland, not knowing to which height his enterprise would grow. His son Mr. Hans Könst started with the breeding of Alstroemeria in 1972, first as a hobby but he soon found out that this hobby could be a profession and a way of earning a living. Totally dedicated to this new enterprise, the company gained new wings and expanded its greenhouse, offices and the number of coworkers. In the 80s The Netherlands was still expanding in Alstroemeria, but Könst invested in the breeding of a more heat-resistant line and soon started to sell plants all over Europe and Japan.

Increasingly Könst looked abroad to sell plants. Soon Colombia ordered the first plants and besides the 80th anniversary of Konst Alstroemeria we also celebrate this year the 20th anniversary of Könst Colombia. Ecuador, Brazil, Kenya and recently China followed, making the company as international as it is today. In the 90s Zantedeschia was also added to our portfolio.

In 2024 Könst made the next step to secure its future. Together with Geert Burger, Jelle Posthumus and Martin Buter we took over the shares of Mr. Hans Könst. He is still involved in the company as a consultant in breeding, doing what he started as a hobby, the art of breeding.

As CEO of Könst I am very proud to tell this story. Of course, there are many sub-stories in these 80 years that are in the memory of the people that build this company. It is not the beauty of Alstroemeria and Zantedeschia that gave wings to Konst Alstroemeria, but the people and the clients make that this company is as it is today. Therefor I want to thank all of you forth is effort, knowing that the road was not always easy. There will be certainly new challenges in the future, but my dream is to continue this company for at least 20 more years and celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2046!

Paco van der Louw
CEO – Könst