Want a look behind the scenes at how the Kolibri Orchids assortment is put together? Our assortment manager Sabine is responsible for putting together an innovative assortment and selecting high-quality Phalaenopsis varieties. Get to know her role and discover how long it takes before a new variety is added to our assortment.
Introduction to Kolibri Company
‘’I started at Kolibri Company as a student in various departments, such as the staking department and the packing department. The horticulture sector is not unfamiliar to me and I was introduced to this sector through my family. After secondary school, I started studying Horticulture and Agribusiness, where I gained a lot of knowledge about growing orchids. After completing my studies, I was offered a new position within Kolibri Company.’’
New position
‘’Every day I work on tasks related to the Kolibri Orchids assortment. Before new varieties are added to our assortment, I visit suppliers to pick out new varieties. I do this alone or together with the sales team to select contemporary flower colors and patterns. After a new variety is chosen, I research the quality, the number of branches, and the shelf life. Did you know that it can take up to five years for a new variety to be added to our assortment? ‘’
Orchid planning
‘’In addition to putting together our assortment, planning is an important task. This means that all orchids are purchased on time and I take the color range into account. This is important because we want to have certain colors of orchids available for holidays. For Mother’s Day, for example, we want orchids with pink flower colors, and for Easter, more orchids with yellow colors.’’
A Kolibri day for Sabine
‘’My alarm goes off early and I work on different tasks every day. For example, in one day I might visit a supplier to look at new Phalaenopsis varieties or walk around our own nursery to see how our new varieties are growing. Keeping up with my email is also important to check whether ordered orchids arrive at each Kolibri location. We have several locations, so we pay close attention to whether too many or too few orchids have been delivered.
If you ask me what my favorite orchid is? I can’t give an answer to that. All orchids are beautiful! For me, it is important that every orchid has good quality and shelf life.
In June, the Orchid Inspiration Days take place, where the entire assortment is presented. This event is an important moment where I show newcomers in the assortment to business customers and gauge their reactions. ‘’
Changes
‘’My role is constantly developing. Recently I have been involved in the space planning of our location, so that the space in the nursery is used optimally. This way, there are not too many or too few orchids. ‘’
The best thing about working for Kolibri
‘’I enjoy working with all the new varieties and making choices in this. This allows me to determine which varieties are added to our assortment and I am the first to have the scoop. The diversity of this role is very nice and because of it, I have contact with every Kolibri employee.
In short, I am busy every day putting together our Phalaenopsis assortment and ensuring that the most beautiful orchids are offered to our customers, with the best quality!’’
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