May 8, 2020 · Team HG
CThe King's Commissioner in Groningen, René Paas, visited the Bidfood branch in Groningen today, initiated by the business association Evofenedex. Bidfood is a prominent player in this region in the supply of food and non-food products to hospitality businesses. With this visit to Bidfood, the Commissioner, on behalf of the Province of Groningen, aims to offer support not only to this company but to all entrepreneurs in Groningen affected by the coronavirus.
Since the lockdown, businesses have been struggling, including hospitality establishments and their suppliers. The empty terraces in the city of Groningen, the closed restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and theaters are a strange, unprecedented experience. Revenue has been drastically reduced for weeks, and most employees are at home.
“I would like to hear from the entrepreneurs themselves about the challenges they are facing during this crisis. And what solutions they are finding. That is why I am happy to come and take a look,” says King’s Commissioner René Paas.
During the visit to Bidfood, the Commissioner was accompanied by the General Manager of Evofenedex, Machiel van der Kuijl, CEO of Bidfood Dick Slootweg, and Operations Manager Marinus Hol. They are pleased with the visit.
Dick Slootweg explains: “We are still supplying healthcare institutions and, to a very limited extent, dining establishments with takeaway and delivery services. We are generating about 30% of the turnover we are used to. Normally, this is the busiest time of the year with Ascension Day, Pentecost, and many events. The hospitality sector is at a standstill, so it is right that there is a lot of attention for this. We greatly appreciate that the Commissioner came to visit us. In this way, there is also attention for the entire chain behind it; think of all the suppliers, producers, and landlords in the hospitality industry. These businesses are also largely at a standstill and need help and attention.”
Evofenedex Managing Director Van der Kuijl adds: “We greatly appreciate that the Supervisory Board member wishes to offer encouragement to all Evofenedex members in Groningen with this visit. Together with the Supervisory Board member, we also want to use this visit to look ahead. When the corona crisis is over, our members will need all the help they can get to get their businesses and associated logistics up and running again.” Bidfood is already well on its way in this regard: all business processes have now been set up to be ‘corona-proof’.
