Founded in 1904 Kientzler is a family business in the fourth generation; left to right: Alexander Kientzler, Helmut Kientzler, Iris Kientzler, Ludwig Kientzler, Andreas Kientzler.
Change in purchase behavior
According to Kientzler, the consumers' purchase behavior changed over the years. "In the past, people bought their plants around March to May and they loved to plant, make combinations, and see them grow. However, over the last few years this has changed. Now, consumers want plants that are already blooming in fixed plant combinations and want to have plants at any time of the year", says Kientzler.
TrioMios
These developments are reflected in Kientzler's sales. "Our TioMios for example, is a fixed plant combination with three different plants that has uniform growth habits. Over the years, we have seen an increasing demand for these plants and especially the combinations with the contrasting colors. The Tweety Pop is such a TrioMio that is popular at the moment in Central Europe. This plant combination consists of two verbenas (blue and red) and a yellow bidens", he says.
TrioMio Tweety Pop and the TrioMio in the Autum Magic concept
Seasonal plant concepts
The fact that the end consumers are demanding plants at any time of the year offers Kientzler the opportunity to expand their seasonal concepts. "About 20 years ago, we introduced the Autumn Magic concept. Over the years, we added Spring Fling, Summer Magic and we recently added Winter Magic. The idea behind the concept is showing the end consumers the plant availability in that season and how to combine them", he says.
The Spring Fling concept with POS material on its way to the garden center. The Summer Magic concept beach flag.
Advantage growers
The concept does not only has advantages for the consumer, but also for the grower and retailer. "Every concept has its own varieties and POS material. The grower can select the varieties that meets the needs of his customers. Besides that, we assist them in the marketing of the product as we offer POS material like labels, tags, pots, flags", he says.
The WinterMagic concept was shown at IPM. This is the newest concept from Kientzler, completing the year cycle.
Advantage retailers/garden centers
Also the retailer or garden center benefits from the use of concepts. "The grower supplies a whole trolley with different plant varieties. Therefore, the garden center or retailer gets an attractive assortment of plants that fit together and work well in combinations. Additionally, with the POS material, the trolley also looks more attractive and is retail ready. Therefore, the demand for concepts, from the retailers' end, is increasing. All in all, the concept offers benefits for the entire chain", he says.
Young plant production area Kientzler.
Extensive testing
The young plants in the assortment of Kientzler, which consists of over 1,000 varieties, come from both, their own breeding programme and the Proven Winners network. "Independent breeders offer their new varieties to Proven Winners. Then, Proven Winners will look at the varieties and test them at different locations all over the world for two years. If they perform well at all locations, they will become a Proven Winner variety. And as we also breed ourselves, we also offer our varieties to Proven Winner. Then, also these varieties will be tested extensively in different countries", he says.
FlowerTrials
In two weeks, from 14-17 June, the FlowerTrials will be held. At the Flower Trials 2016, no less then 52 breeding companies will present their newest varieties in pot- and bedding plants, as well as the latest innovations and concepts at 30 locations, spread across three regions (Aalsmeer and surroundings and the Westland region in the Netherlands, and Rhineland-Westphalia in Germany). Also Kientzler will present its new varieties and for the first time, at two locations. "Besides the well known show garden at the company’s main office in Gensingen, Kientzler will set up a new location at Walbeck Castle (Geldern) in the Rhineland area, close to the Dutch border", says Kientzler.
For more information:
Kientzler Gartenbau GmbH & Co. KGAlexander Kientzler
Email: alexander.kientzler@kientzler.de
www.kientzler.de