No successor for climbing plant grower Van der Starre as machinery goes to auction

Troostwijk Auctions to auction production lines and nursery equipment from Boskoop and Ridderkerk in the Netherlands

BOSKOOP/RIDDERKERK, 28-9-2026 – For more than four decades, family business Van der Starre has grown and sold climbing plants. With no successor within the family and no suitable buyer for the business as a whole, the management decided to sell its operations in parts. Machinery, complete production lines and nursery equipment from its sites in Boskoop and Ridderkerk are now being offered through Troostwijk Auctions.

Bert and Bart van der Starre announced the decision to sell the business in parts earlier this year. Alongside the lack of a successor, the management cited several financially challenging years. Demand declined following the pandemic, while rising labour costs put pressure on profitability. At the time of the announcement, the company stated that it remained committed to maintaining supplies and preserving jobs.

“When you have spent more than forty years building a business, this is not a decision you take lightly. We would have liked to see the business continue as a whole. As that has not proved possible, we hope other growers can use our equipment to develop their own businesses,” says Bert van der Starre.

From a family business to multiple sites

Founded in 1982 as a tree nursery, Van der Starre developed into a specialist business with sites in Boskoop, Waddinxveen, Zevenhuizen and Ridderkerk. With its own propagation business and technical department, it managed several stages of the growing process in-house.

This is reflected in the auction offering. Alongside general nursery equipment, the auction includes complete installations for specialised nursery tasks. Highlights include two plant handling lines for assembling mixed plant batches and inserting support stakes, as well as a sorting line.

A new role for machinery at other nurseries

“This auction features not only individual machines, but also complete lines for specific nursery tasks. For other growers, it is an opportunity to expand or reconfigure their production operations. Equipment that has been part of Van der Starre’s growing process for years can continue to be used by another business,” says Arjan Averink of Troostwijk Auctions.

In addition to the specialist production lines, the auction includes a range of tools and equipment for day-to-day operations, making the offering relevant to other businesses across the horticultural sector.

Viewing and bidding

The lots are located in Boskoop and Ridderkerk in the Netherlands. Further information about the equipment, viewing days and closing date is available on the Troostwijk Auctions auction page. Bidding takes place entirely online through Troostwijk Auctions.