Kiwa and Schouten Certification join forces in agri-food certification
RIJSWIJK – Kiwa, a worldwide operator in the field of testing, inspection and certification, is expanding its organization with industry peer Schouten Certification. With this strategic move, Kiwa strengthens its position in the rapidly evolving agri-food market. Schouten Certification has a strong foundation in the animal feed and food sectors, while Kiwa VERIN – part of Kiwa Netherlands’ food, feed and farm division Kiwa CMR – operates across the entire agri-food chain.
By combining the knowledge and expertise of both organizations, customers in the Benelux and beyond will benefit from a broader service portfolio and more efficient service. This collaboration enables the offering of specialized certification and inspection services that better align with the changing needs of the agri-food sector. Thanks to Kiwa’s network, Kiwa VERIN and Schouten Certification can now jointly offer their services internationally in both existing and new markets, providing better support to clients worldwide.
Growing together
According to Kiwa division director Ben Dellaert, the integration is a great step in which two strong parties complement each other perfectly. ‘Over the years, Schouten Certification has proven itself to be a reliable player in the agri-food sector, while Kiwa VERIN, as part of Kiwa, has access to a broad network and a strong foundation in certification. What makes Schouten Certification unique – knowledge, experience and reputation – will be preserved and given room to grow within Kiwa VERIN. By joining forces, we can not only serve our existing customers even better but also explore new opportunities.’
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Klaas Schouten, managing director of Schouten Certification, explains how the partnership came about: ‘A changing industry calls for new alliances. In 2018, we began diversifying our services from feed to food. After experiencing swift growth, we encountered limitations. At the same time, we noticed that conventional audit practices are ready for advancement. By collaborating with Kiwa, we create space for entrepreneurship and innovation, growth opportunities for employees and a broader offering for our clients. In short, the addition of Schouten Certification to the Kiwa Group leads to new opportunities for all parties involved.’