It is with great sadness that Ridder must announce that our dear and valued colleague Mario Scherpenzeel passed away this weekend. After a short period of illness, Mario left us as the result of a fatal brain disease. We will remember Mario as a warm and committed colleague, and we will greatly miss his presence within our organization and his infectious enthusiasm.

Mario’s enthusiasm, experience, knowledge and expertise played a major role in the establishment and expansion of the Ridder Climate Screens business unit within the organization. Mario was a pleasure to work with, for both offices located in the Netherlands and those abroad. His engaging personality played, without doubt, a major role in the success of the new climate screens business unit. Mario was a well-liked and respected colleague at Ridder. He was a constant source of new ideas and enthusiasm, and at the same time he was always interested in his colleagues and happy to lend a helping hand. Mario leaves an enormous gap in our organization.

Mario had a natural aptitude for networking. Many will remember Mario’s lasting commitment to the horticulture sector, in which he spent much of his life working. During his years of service, he always enjoyed developing new relationships and maintaining customer contact, both at trade fairs in the Netherlands and beyond, and out in the field. In Mario, our sector has lost a colourful personality.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his wife Diana, to his daughters Romy and Lizzy, and to all his friends and family members. We wish them much strength and courage in this very difficult time.

On behalf of all staff and management at Ridder,

Klaas van de Poppe, CEO of Ridder Group