Royal Zeelandia Group was proud to be one of four nominees for this year’s Family Company Award, and we congratulate the winner: Terberg Group.

One important reason for the nomination was the fact that Zeelandia's history is characterised by a constant search for inventive and innovative bakery products, serving the ever-changing market and consumer demands. Collaboration with our clients, bakeries large and small all over the world, is essential to us. Close contact with our customers has been our No 1 priority for more than 115 years. Whether they’re large, industrial bakeries or your corner bakery: we help them become more successful. And this, we will continue to do for many, many years to come.

India’s Prime Minister Modi was in the Netherlands for a visit with Dutch Prime Minister Rutte. They also had a joint meeting with a select number of CEOs of Dutch companies, including Zeelandia CEO Mr De Ruiter.

Michiel de Ruiter, CEO of the Royal Zeelandia Group, introduced the company to PM Modi and highlighted the long-term commitment of Zeelandia to India, and the close ties with local partner Fine Organics: “We have been present in India since 2001 when Fine Organics started importing our bakery ingredients. Two-and-a-half years ago, we started a joint venture by the name of Fine Zeelandia. And as two family-owned businesses, we are both committed to its long-term success.” The Royal Zeelandia Group has operations in 29 countries, including India. A production facility is currently being built near Mumbai, which will be operational by the end of this year. It will produce bakery ingredients, mixes for bread and pastry, of the highest quality.

By implementing reforms, the government of India seeks to enhance the ease of doing business and aims to bring standards at par with global standards. Over the last three years, a total of 7,000 reforms in taxes, real estate, defence, etc. were made. As PM Modi stated: “This visit is of great importance. The Netherlands is a natural partner in the economic development of India.” The Netherlands is the sixth-largest foreign investor in India. “Ties between India and Netherlands are very old. Our bilateral relations are very strong,” PM Modi said, following the meeting, in a joint press statement with Dutch PM Rutte.

The new factory will be located in the state of Maharashtra, near the new airport of Mumbai (ready in 2020). The Fine Zeelandia production facility will set new standards for quality products at affordable prices. All products will be made from local raw materials, many of which are sourced from local farmers. Implementing Dutch technology, backed by 117 years of experience from Zeelandia, and adding 47 years of Indian experience in manufacturing and distribution.

Zeelandia continues to expand around the globe, using a unique model of joint ventures. Combining detailed knowledge of bakery technology, processes and ingredients with the local knowledge of applications and the market.

Fine Organics and Zeelandia have set up a joint venture in India. Fine Zeelandia will serve India and neighbouring markets with dry and liquid baking ingredients, most of which will be produced locally.

Fine Zeelandia will be based in Mumbai and is a 50/50 joint venture between Fine Organics and Zeelandia. It will combine the technical and marketing strengths of both the companies to bring an innovative range of baking and patisserie ingredients. The joint venture will start approaching the Indian market in Q1 2015, initially with imported Zeelandia products. The current, dedicated sales team at Fine Organics will be transferred to Fine Zeelandia. In cooperation with regional distributors, the joint venture will cater to customers throughout the country, as well as in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. Local production Fine Organics is a pioneer of emulsifiers in India and a globally recognized manufacturer of oleochemical derivatives. Zeelandia is a global leader in bakery and patisserie ingredients. The JV will include a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will produce specialty ingredients like Finagel cake gel, bread and patisserie mixes, Carlo release agents and Paletta jellies. Some of these ingredients that are presently being imported to India will now be available locally. The JV will leverage upon Fine Organics' extensive and expanding distribution network for maximum reach and customer service. “We are already active in food additives and emulsifiers, amongst other products. This Joint Venture with Zeelandia is an important way for us to secure a share of the growing market in India for specialized bread and pastry ingredients and similar products”, says Jayen Shah, CEO of Fine Organics. Adds Guido Janssen, Zeelandia CCO: “This will speed up local deliveries and make Zeelandia prices more competitive by eliminating the import process for most products”. Speciality products, including Carlex release agents, fondant and marzipan will continue to be sold on an import basis. Focus on India Zeelandia's innovation record, product quality and commitment to the Indian market make them an ideal partner for Fine Organics. The Fine Zeelandia venture is an extension of Fine Organics' mission towards bringing high quality ingredients to the fast expanding Indian food industry. For more information on the Fine Zeelandia product line or if you would like to be a distributor, please contact: info@finezeelandia.com

H.E. Mr V. Rajamony, Ambassador for India in the Netherlands, and Marketing Manager Mr Ashok Kaushik visited the Zeelandia head office in Zierikzee, Netherlands.

Ever since 2001, Zeelandia worked with Fine Organics as an importer and distributor for Zeelandia products. In January 2015, we started a joint venture: Fine Zeelandia. The local factory in Mumbai will start production by early next year, producing a range of bread mixes, pastry products and release agents.

The new production facility sets the bar higher than ever when it comes to the production of affordable quality products. All products will be made from local raw materials, many of which are sourced from local farmers. Implementing Dutch technology, backed by 117 years of experience from Zeelandia, and adding 47 years of Indian experience in manufacturing and distribution.

We stay ambitious, focusing on growth and global expansion, through our model of joint ventures. This model makes it possible to combine our in-depth knowledge of bakery technology, processes and ingredients and our inventive approach, with the local knowledge of the market and applications.

We were one of the sponsorers to a dinner reception in collaboration with Netherlands Consulate to celebrate King’s Day

On 27th April 2018 in Mumbai, we were one of the sponsorers to a dinner reception in collaboration with Netherlands Consulate to celebrate King's Day - the Dutch National Day together with their Indian partners and colleagues. The celebration was themed on Dutch cuisine and several popular snacks and beverages like patat, bitterballen, poffertjes, cheese and beer were available for everyone to experience.

Apart from that, Chef Jos van Rossenberg and our team prepared some speciality Dutch desserts and breads like orange tompouce, marzipan, rye bread and many more. All in all, the outdoor festivities brought a slice of Dutch King’s Day festivities to the city of Mumbai!