A close-up on Germany with Tim Dallmann

In the world of plant cultivation, recognizing opportunities and keeping an open mind towards new developments are central to success. Tim Dallmann, ICL’s Sales Manager in Germany, is responsible for customer care in container cultivation, open ground cultivation, ornamental horticulture, and perennial plant cultivation. He believes that direct interaction with customers is essential to understanding their needs and providing them with appropriate solutions: “I am regularly in the fields to see for myself how things are going, and examining the conditions at hand.”

Tim has been working in ornamental horticulture for over ten years but pursued slightly different avenues prior to that. “Before I started at ICL I underwent training as a landscaper. I learned skills such as designing and maintaining gardens, planting trees and shrubs, and working with horticultural machinery. I also learned about various plant species, soil types, and ecologically-responsible gardening.” He complemented his practical study with a degree in Production Horticulture from the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück. “During this time I learned techniques and management skills necessary for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.”

“Colleagues will sometimes come to me with questions, and I’m happy to help. It’s great that we’ve built such a large knowledge base that we can all fall back on.”

Tim at a rose growers

The world is your classroom

Admittedly, nothing can replace the hands-on experience and real-life situations you encounter outside the classroom: “Once you start working, you quickly learn how the sector moves. By engaging in conversations with colleagues, I have been able to broaden my perspective. In this sector you encounter all kinds of problems, so your knowledge is constantly tested.” Fortunately, Tim never has to face these issues alone: “Growers often encounter similar problems, so I can always consult my ICL colleagues. Because we have such a large team, I can draw from a vast resource of expertise and experience.”

Knowledge sharing is a two-way street, and Tim also often finds himself advising his colleagues. “Each region of Germany is known for its own specialty. For example, the region where I am located, Pinneberg, is one of the largest tree nursery areas. ICL colleagues from areas with fewer tree nurseries will sometimes come to me with questions, and I’m happy to help. It’s great that we’ve built such a large knowledge base that we can all fall back on.”

“Do not close yourself off to new things, and explore what is out there. There is so much to discover, and you can always keep learning.”

Today’s travels are tomorrow’s tips

The same curiosity and openness that shaped the initial phases of Tim’s career are still present in his day-to-day work now. “I regularly take part in field trials and participate in workshops. I will also frequently travel to international conferences, where I gather inspiration on the latest trends and technologies in plant cultivation.” Tim then brings new ideas back to ICL’s customers in his region, where these can be adapted to the local conditions: “By repeatedly coming up with solutions that align with the client’s wishes, you build a relationship and make yourself helpful in a profound manner.”

Tim’s advice to aspiring Area Sales Managers is to stay curious: “Do not close yourself off to new things, and explore what is out there. Take a look at other specialized areas in horticulture and draw inspiration from them. There is so much to discover, and you can always keep learning. Looking around and staying curious is the key to encountering interesting situations and finding gratifying situations.”

Tim checking plant’s roots.