Europe Retail Packing: 25 years of commitment and growth
Tuesday 2 December 2025 Tags: EN
This December, Europe Retail Packing (ERP) celebrates its 25th anniversary. What once started as a small greenhouse-vegetable packing facility in Poeldijk has grown into a leading provider of packing, ripening, cold storage and full supply chain services for fresh produce.
Today, ERP supports the market with avocado and mango ripening, packing services, cold storage, repacking, logistics coordination and quality control, serving a wide range of products including citrus, grapes, ginger and sweet potatoes.
But beyond growth and technology, ERP has always been built on something deeply personal: family values.
The beginning: six people, a warehouse and big ambition
More than 25 years ago, Dolf Reijgersberg decided to take a chance and build something new. With two machines, six employees and passion for the fresh produce sector, ERP began packing tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
Demand grew quickly, even internationally. The company’s early packing work for the U.S. market marked its first major milestone.
After a year and a half, Menno Reijgersberg joined the company. He started on the packing line, later running the facility. The two became a leadership team, balancing experience, curiosity and determination.
A turning point and a strategic reset
Around 2010, the market shifted. Growers started packing themselves. ERP faced difficult years, including a period in which Dolf stepped away due to health challenges.
Instead of giving up, ERP reorganized to become stronger, smaller in space, but sharper in direction.
A new strategy: from greenhouse vegetables to exotic fruit
The real transformation came when Menno developed a strategic plan during his study at Wageningen University. ERP transitioned from being a packing supplier to becoming a full-service logistics partner.
The focus moved to ripening exotic fruit, especially avocado and mango and gradually expanded to cold storage, logistics management, product quality control and specialized packing technology.
This shift became the foundation for the company's success throughout the last decade.
Built on partnerships and trust
Key partnerships helped ERP scale, many of them long-established. One of the longest is the 25-year collaboration with Best Fresh Group. The division of leadership between father and son also brought growth. Yes, discussions happened. But trust always won.
As Dolf puts it:
“When you care about each other, you find a way forward.”
Today: a mature, future-focused company
In 2022, ERP acquired Varekamp Coldstores, significantly expanding its cold-storage facilities. A new site in Maasdijk is now operational.
ERP now employs 168 permanent team members and continues to grow its capacity, automation and sustainability initiatives. Programs like the Young Talent Program support new generations entering the fresh produce industry.
Three principles guide the future:
- Healthy people
- Healthy planet
- Healthy business
Culture before everything
Dolf remains part of the company, not full-time, but present.
Listening. Connecting. Making sure people feel valued.
“When someone feels at home, they don’t just work for ERP — they become ERP.”
The next chapter
ERP celebrates 25 years with a year full of moments, including a podcast, company gathering and a major event planned for June 2026.
Not to close a chapter,
but to mark the beginning of the next one.