International soil nutrition specialist brings in additional know-how and experience

From customer relationship and friend to functional business tandem

Since 3 February 2025, Fert in Time, a renowned and high-end soil nutrition specialist, is no longer a one-man business. Driven by the company's growth, business manager Philippe Debougnoux brought the former head groundsman of first-class football club KVC Westerlo, Geert Segers, on board. “The fact that I have had both feet on the grass for years and that I already know Fert in Time's products well will certainly help me to help our customers optimally,” says an enthusiastic Geert Segers.

Fert in Time Europe was founded by Debougnoux, an agricultural engineer by training and former dairy farmer, and the late Jean Damseaux, who spent more than 60 years as a world authority on nitrogen fertilisers for major multinationals. With markets in Benelux, France, Germany and Poland, Fert in Time today contributes internationally to soil quality for the horticultural, agricultural and recreational sectors. Debougnoux keeps a firm grip on the reins from the Benelux, surrounded by a network of freelancers and experts. “The company has grown in a short time. Not in terms of personnel, but in terms of sales market,” says Debougnoux. “Not so long ago I was still driving around myself with our unique products, based on patented molecules, but in the meantime I have built a strong European distribution network.”

Reinforce

To share the workload and continue to guarantee customer-oriented service, Debougnoux started looking for reinforcements. As head groundsman of KVC Westerlo, Segers came into contact with Debougnoux and Fert in Time products a few years ago. “I was also active in the landscaping and turf sector in the past,” Segers says. “That's how I rolled into the world of football grounds. First as groundsman at Royal Antwerp FC and later at KVC Westerlo.” The click between ex-dairy farmer Philippe and Geert, who comes from a farming family, was there right away. Segers: “As a groundsman, I already enjoyed working with Philippe. His advice and solutions were worth their weight in gold. After a few years on and around the football pitch, I was ready for a new challenge. When Philippe came with the proposal, I didn't have to think for long. The fact that I know Philippe and Fert in Time's products well is of course a great added value and will only accelerate the integration.” From now on, the two gentlemen will form a well-oiled tandem: Segers will focus on the Dutch-speaking sales market, while Philippe will continue to focus on the rest of Europe and invest more time in research and development. “Philippe at the wheel and the pedals, and I will mainly pedal along and occasionally whisper something,” Segers concludes with a quip.