In ‘Meet Ledgnd’, we speak with various Ledgnd colleagues. You’ll get a glimpse into their work at Ledgnd, their motivations, and ambitions. In this article, we get to know Niels Suijkerbuijk, account manager at Ledgnd and familiar face for growers.
Meet Ledgnd Niels Suijkerbuijk
How did you end up at Ledgnd?
Niels joined Ledgnd while looking for a graduation internship. After completing his MBO4 Logistics Supervisor course, he progressed to HBO, where he studied commercial economics. During his MBO4 course, he met Ramon. “When I was looking for a graduation internship for my HBO, they asked if I wanted to intern at Ledgnd. That seemed fun to me because I had been in the LED world for a while, and horticulture was a new market for me,” says Niels.
Listening, learning and earning trust
For Niels, good listening is the most important part of his work. “Growers notice immediately when you truly listen. When you understand their story, that builds trust and trust is everything.”
His approach differs per grower or crop, but honesty and enthusiasm are always key. “Sometimes you are helping someone solve a challenge, other times you are supporting someone who is already performing well and wants to optimize further. That is when it’s great to bring in our plant physiologists and offer insights that really make a difference.”
Even on the busiest days, Niels keeps his energy high. “You just have to enjoy what you do and lots of coffee helps too,” he grins. “I love talking to growers. Every crop is different, every greenhouse is different, and I learn something new every day. That is what gives me energy.”
First impression of Ledgnd
His first impression of Ledgnd was of a passionate, energetic team working on something that truly makes a difference for growers. “That feeling of building something together and celebrating successes, it is still the same,” says Niels. “The team atmosphere is great. We work hard, but we laugh just as hard.” For him, maintaining a good work-life balance comes naturally. “I really enjoy what I do, so it does not feel like work. That makes finding balance easy.”
Milestones and successes
Niels has already achieved several important milestones during his time at Ledgnd. “Landing your first client always makes the biggest impression,” he says. Additionally, he found the busy Ledgnd stand at HortiContact particularly impressive. He also sees Ledgnd’s growth and the development of MyLedgnd as major achievements. “It’s fantastic to see how our work is appreciated and how much interest there is in our products and services.”
“For me, a conversation is only truly successful when we’ve really connected, I understand what’s going on, and we can take the next step together.”
Unforgettable moments
Some meetings stick with you. “When a grower says, ‘You get exactly what I mean,’ that’s the best compliment you can get,” Niels shares. “I will also never forget our first international client, a grower from New Zealand. Everything happened through Teams and email, but the trust that grew from that was something special.”
He is also proud of the younger colleagues he has been able to mentor. “It is great to see people like Ruben and Martin grow. Ruben came back after his internship and now sets up fantastic meetings, I’m genuinely proud of that. Bringing them along to growers and helping them gain experience is something I really enjoy.”
Two typical workdays
“I have two typical workdays,” says Niels. “I am either on the road all day visiting potential clients, or I have an office day.” An office day starts with catching up on emails and calling growers and suppliers. Around lunchtime, there’s almost always a quick ping-pong match with colleagues. Then it is back to calls and offers with fresh energy.
“Ik heb eigenlijk twee typische werkdagen,” vertelt hij. “De ene dag zit ik op kantoor, de andere dag ben ik onderweg van kas naar kas.” Op een kantoordag begint Niels standaard met het bijwerken van zijn e-mails en het bellen van telers en leveranciers. Tussen de middag staat er bijna altijd een korte pingpongwedstrijd met collega’s op het programma, een vast ritueel dat zorgt voor wat luchtigheid op drukke dagen. Daarna duikt hij weer vol energie in telefoongesprekken en offertes.
Days outside of the office is about visiting growers. “Those days start with a sandwich and a strong coffee, I can’t start without it,” he laughs. “Then I put on my go-to rock mix in the car and drive from one greenhouse to the next. I am a man of habits: that coffee and music get me in the right mindset, whether I am on the road or back at the office.”
“When I am visiting growers, it is all about listening, thinking along, and giving honest advice. When you feel there is a click and a grower really trusts what you are saying, that is when you know you are doing something right.”
”“I love talking to growers. Every crop is different, every greenhouse is different, and I learn something new every day. That is what gives me energy.”
Niels SuijkerbuijkAccountmanager
Ambitions
Niels has clear future plans within Ledgnd. He wants to gain as much experience as possible now to later lead a team. “As the company grows, I hope to lead a number of people so that I keep learning and don’t stand still,” he says. He is determined to further develop his knowledge and skills and play a larger role in the company’s growth.
Feyenoord, birds, and WWI & WWII
Within Ledgnd, Niels is very varied, and so are his hobbies and interests. “I play football in a friends’ team, and I follow every Feyenoord match,” he says. He also has a passion for history, particularly the First and Second World Wars. “I have birds in an aviary, and I enjoy gardening,” he adds. Additionally, he has been with Christel for three years, who is currently studying to become a veterinarian in Ghent. “When she finishes her studies, we will move in together,” says Niels. When asked about his favorite vacation destination, he enthusiastically answers Austria. “The nature there is very beautiful; you can enjoy wonderful walks. Additionally, I partly speak the language.”
Advice for new colleagues
For new employees or people considering applying to Ledgnd, Niels has valuable advice: “Show enthusiasm for the sector and be open in a friendly work atmosphere where it’s hard work and hard laughter.” He emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and the willingness to collaborate in a dynamic environment.”
Working at Ledgnd
At Ledgnd, we are constantly looking for enthusiastic and driven professionals to join our team. Do you want to be part of a dynamic and innovative company? Check out our current job openings or send us an open application. We look forward to hearing from you!
