Gearbox, the partner in intelligent automation for the horticulture sector, is expanding its management team (MT) with the appointment of Kees de Jonge as Head of Commerce. With his extensive experience in the fresh produce and floriculture sectors, and his strong ability to connect people, Gearbox is taking the next step in its growth and market position.
Gearbox strengthens management team with the arrival of Kees de Jonge as Head of Commerce
Kees de Jonge brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, including his role as Director Food & Agri at Rabobank. During this time, he built a strong network within the sector. His strength lies in connecting people and organizations, with the goal of working together on practical solutions and sustainable growth.
Strengthening commerce and connection within the sector
With the addition of Kees to the MT, Gearbox aims to further increase its commercial strength while continuing to roll out its international ambitions.
Kees de Jonge, Head of Commerce: “Gearbox combines technology with a deep understanding of the sector. It is precisely this combination that makes it possible to create real impact. I look forward to working together with the team, partners, and customers to build solutions that make work smarter and help businesses grow. Connection and collaboration are central to this. I am genuinely curious about what drives organizations and enjoy helping them take the next step toward the future.”
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“Gearbox combines technology with a deep understanding of the sector. It is precisely this combination that makes it possible to create real impact. I look forward to working together with the team, partners, and customers to build solutions that make work smarter and help businesses grow. Connection and collaboration are central to this. I am genuinely curious about what drives organizations and enjoy helping them take the next step toward the future.”
Kees de Jonge, Head of Commerce
A strong and complementary management team
“With the arrival of Kees, the Management Team is now complete. For Gearbox, this is an important step: with this team, we have everything we need to continue growing. By bringing technology, market, and execution closer together, we can move faster and create more impact for our customers today and for the future of the sector,” said Simone Keijzer, Co-Founder & CEO of Gearbox.
Gearbox is the partner for intelligent automation in horticulture. With smart robotics and Vision AI, Gearbox delivers solutions for grading, sorting, and processing vegetables, fruit, flowers, and plants. Gearbox reduces pressure in daily operations, enabling growers, breeders, and packers to grow by working not only harder, but above all smarter. Since its founding in 2016, Gearbox has grown into a leading player: with more than 50 employees, 150+ customers, and 100+ operational solutions worldwide, the company works every day toward a future-proof sector.
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“With the arrival of Kees, the Management Team is now complete. For Gearbox, this is an important step: with this team, we have everything we need to continue growing. By bringing technology, market, and execution closer together, we can move faster and create more impact for our customers today and for the future of the sector,”
Simone Keijzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Gearbox
The management team
The Gearbox management team consists of:
Simone Keijzer – Co-Founder & CEO
Kees de Jonge – Head of Commerce
Jeffrey de Wijs – Head of Operations
Martin van Zanten – Head of Product
This team combines deep technological expertise with sector experience and commercial strength, forming the foundation for Gearbox’s continued growth.
Martin van Zanten (Head of Product) explains: “The strength of Gearbox lies in translating technology into concrete customer value. As an MT, we form the bridge between the market, customer needs, and product, enabling us to innovate more effectively.”
Jeffrey de Wijs (Head of Operations): “From an operations perspective, we see daily where the pressure points are. By working as one team to directly translate operational bottlenecks into solutions, we ensure that our customers receive what they ordered at the moment they want it delivered. In this way, we solve problems for our customers before they even realize they exist.”
Media
From left to right: Kees de Jonge, Simone Keijzer, Martin van Zanten and Jeffrey de Wijs
Ambition for the future
The ambition is clear: Gearbox is the partner for intelligent automation in horticulture. With an experienced management team, the company is ready for further scaling and increasing its impact within the sector in the Netherlands and beyond.
