Abe Adema, marketing and sales director at Netherlands-based seed specialist De Ruiter Seeds, has died unexpectedly, the company has announced.

Well-known and respected throughout the industry as a “classical seedsman”, Adema passed away on September 9 aged 51.

He started working for De Ruiter Seeds in 2002 and in his function as director of marketing and sales was crucial its worldwide growth, according to the company.

“He was the inspiring, driven and successful director of marketing and sales of our international family of businesses,” it said.

Adema started his career working as head of the mechanization department for Cebemo,Honduras, in 1981, folloing the successful completion of his Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering. From 1984, he worked on several influential commercial functions for Zaadunie BV (later known as Sluis & Groot, S&G Seeds) and for the Cebeco Seeds Group.

Biense Visser, ceo of De Ruiter Seeds will take temporarily take responsibility for the duties of Adema.

A memorial room where relations and colleagues can sign a condolence register has been arranged in the company’s Bergschenhoek office. There is a also special dedicated memorial page on the company’s website www.deruiterseeds.com

A remembrance service will be held next on September 14 in the H. Lambertuskerk in Drunen.

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