This colleague has not only worked at almost every branch of WBE but also in almost every position of the company.

Fred started his career at WBE in 1989 and lucky for us, he never left!

Read all about Fred's different functions, his average working day, and his favorite product on our website.

Tell us about yourself (age, relationship, place of residence, etc.) 

My name is Fred van Delft, I am married to Marion and I have 3 daughters Quinty, Romy and Tessa. I am born and raised in Rijnsburg and I am 49 years old.

What are your hobbies (besides the hard work at WBE)?

My favorite hobby has been Rijnsburgse Boys (football) for 40 years. I have played football for almost 30 years and have now been a trainer with the RBB Girls VR1 for 10 years. I also watch a lot of sports on TV, including football, Formula 1 and major tournaments of different sports. I like to play games with family and friends (who say I often make my own rules but I also like to win).

What did you study?

I went to high school 't Visser 't Hoofd in Leiden and in Rijnsburg.

What did you do before you started working at WBE? 

WBE is my first permanent employer. Before that, I did holiday work. After school, I did not know what I wanted to do. Then my mother said: "Here is a filled lunch box and you can go and find work at the auction".
In the end, I ended up at Jaap Beets via Bram Haasbroek and I am still working there.

In which department do you work at WBE?

I currently work within the purchasing team. But I've done almost everything in all those years.

I started in 1989 as a 17-year-old at “Uncle” Jaap and Ieneke Beets in Westland in a small team of about 8 employees, where I had to prepare orders – deliver orders and unload containers.

After 4.5 years we started a branch in Rijnsburg and I "moved" together with my cousin Bram Haasbroek. Then I got some other work such as telephone sales, ordering Italian products and still unloading containers. We have moved a few times at the flower auction and that's how I ended up at the administration. That brought me a few extra pounds. When a colleague retired, I was asked to join the purchasing team at WBE Westland and I am doing that now.

At which branch do you work?

I work 4 days in Westland and 1 day in Rijnsburg

What does your average working day look like? 

My work starts with starting up the computer and a cup of coffee. Then I take a look at what is in the mail for information from the supplier and colleagues.

After that, we will check which containerships are in the harbor and/or will come in order to possibly call off the containers from that ship, which we can then unload the next day at our branch Jupiter or at one of the other branches. We then make the unloading sheet for the branches. We enter the numbers of the containers in the system and distribute the numbers to the branches.

In addition to these tasks, we still have many different tasks to do, which makes the work varied and fun.

What do you like best about your job?

The diversity of my work.

What do you like least about your job? 

I have a lot of fun tasks and there are always things that are disappointing, but that's part of it.

Nevertheless, I am having a good time.

What is your favorite product? Why?

My favorite product is a product that sells well and is one of the nicer products from Italy, the Eucalyptus Cinerea. In the right period, the leaf has a very beautiful silver-grey colour and looks very nice combined in a bouquet.

I always find it special and beautiful when our greenery is combined into a beautiful arrangement or bouquet. Then decorative greenery is an enrichment of the bouquet. I personally like white flowers with lots of greenery.