Our history

In the mid-1950s, the Netherlands is experiencing strong economic growth, creating a high demand for labour in many industries. However, the agricultural sector is experiencing mechanisation, which means fewer employees are needed to work the land and look after the animals. Many of these employees are therefore leaving agricultural businesses for work in other sectors.

Due to this change, agricultural businesses are becoming smaller in terms of staffing. The farms are more vulnerable in case of illness, but also the need for labour supply during seasonal peaks increases. Thus, the first farmers' aid society comes into being and the possibility of enlisting help in case of illness and/or death of the entrepreneur arises. Available labour was redistributed in such cases, to relieve members of the association.

On 14 December 1959, four farmers joined hands and the first official ‘Cooperative Farmers’ Relief Service' was established. In case of a breakdown, a Farm Guard can be called in to take over farm work. After all, the cows need to be milked, crops need to be taken off the land and so on.

This development leads to a lot of interest from other farmers and soon several local cooperatives emerge throughout the Netherlands. In the early 1960s, it was the ‘Delfland’ association in South Holland that was the first to offer ‘farmer assistance’. More and more associations joined the central union; a union whose core task was to provide staff in case of illness and/or death in order to redistribute labour at peak times.

To increase clout, several local associations are merging over the years to form regionally operating cooperatives. The importance of these mergers is that they create much more innovative power and the costs for this can be shared. In the mid-1990s, for instance, in South Holland, the associations ‘Delfland’ and ‘Rijnstreek’ join forces. Later, the associations ‘Zuid-Hollandse Eilanden’ and ‘Westland’ also join.

Workers are no longer used only to replace the agricultural entrepreneur, but also to carry out sector-specific work. Think of claw care, cutting boxwood bulbs or selecting potatoes. In addition, the organisation also operates outside the agricultural sector, in related sectors with the same work mentality. Thus, you will find our employees in landscaping, construction, food, logistics, infrastructure and civil engineering.

AB Zuid-Holland in its current form has existed since 2005. Offering a wide range of services, we provide specialist services by well-trained professionals to support businesses. With the necessary certifications, professional equipment and a fully-fledged temporary employment branch, AB Zuid-Holland has become an indispensable part of the agricultural and related sectors.

AB Zuid-Holland operates from four regional offices in Wateringen, Hazerswoude-Dorp, Stellendam and Barendrecht. So we are always easily accessible and at the centre of the market. So we know what's going on and are flexible.

By setting its sights on the future, but also not losing sight of our origins, AB Zuid-Holland is still known today as a reliable, no-nonsense and people-oriented organisation. AB Zuid-Holland continues to move with its members and customers. Time and again we explore ways in which we can add value.

Meanwhile, there are so many services that our subject specialists can provide, too many to mention them all. We continue to soak in our cooperative spirit; together with each other and for each other. On to another 65 years! We are ready.