Key Takeaways
- Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects has appointed Fouad Ababou to expand its sales and business development activities across the Gulf region.
- Ababou will support commercial growth for both Van der Hoeven and Patron Agri Systems in the Middle East and North Africa.
- He brings extensive experience in greenhouse technology, automation, and project execution, covering concept through to realization.
- Ababou joins an existing regional team that includes Wejdan Abdulaziz in business development and Marnix de Jong as sales manager.
- Van der Hoeven's active Gulf projects include Armela Farms in the UAE, Topian in Saudi Arabia, and Al Ghanim in Egypt.
Van der Hoeven Expands Regional Sales Team in the Gulf
Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects has reinforced its commercial presence in the Gulf region with the appointment of Fouad Ababou to a sales and business development role. In this position, Ababou will support growth and market development activities for both Van der Hoeven and Patron Agri Systems across the Middle East and North Africa.
Ababou brings a background in controlled environment agriculture, with experience spanning greenhouse technology, automation, and project execution. His ability to guide customers from early concept development through to project realization aligns with Van der Hoeven's approach to delivering end-to-end greenhouse solutions.
Van der Hoeven Builds Integrated Regional Team
Ababou joins a regional team that includes Wejdan Abdulaziz, who leads business development, and Marnix de Jong, sales manager. Together, the three will focus on developing integrated greenhouse solutions tailored to the Gulf region, encompassing specialized systems related to irrigation and electrical infrastructure.
Bas Duijvestijn, CCO at Van der Hoeven, noted that the MEA region is strategically important to the company, citing ongoing projects including Armela Farms in the UAE, Topian in Saudi Arabia, and Al Ghanim in Egypt as evidence of growing regional demand for integrated and reliable greenhouse solutions.
Van der Hoeven Targets Continued Growth in MENA
The appointment reflects Van der Hoeven's broader ambition to deepen its footprint in the Gulf, a market where demand for controlled environment agriculture is expanding rapidly. Duijvestijn highlighted Ababou's understanding of the regional market and his technical background as key assets in supporting the company's growth objectives across the region.
