A speech by the mayor of the local town, a proud CEO, suppliers and toasting with champagne. Those were the main ingredients needed to open the new, state-of-the-art breeding facility Elite in Rheinberg, Germany. Paradoxically, the opening was symbolized by an (orange) key closing the doors, signifying the start of the company's newly implemented hygiene policy Greencare.
From left to right: Benjamin Göpferich, Thomas Bousart, Jean-Baptiste Wautier, Biense Visser, and Frank Tatzel
In the new facility the entire mother stock of Dümmen Orange's Bedding Plants, Perennials and Pot Plants will be gathered. Previously, these were kept in six different locations worldwide. "Not very efficient, with hygiene not easily guaranteed and other risks lurking."
Simon Schultz technical advisor in the Greencare project .
Hygiene is of the utmost importance, a tour through the greenhouses shows. Employees start their working day, every day with a shower. Also, each individual plant is placed in a separate unit and can be easily isolated for checks.
In terms of technical solutions, the greenhouse has it all: supplementary lighting, controlled heating, screen cloths and, a black-out system and more. "In order to control strict hygiene, up to 95% of all technical installations is situated not in, but outside of the greenhouse. In that case, mechanics do not need to enter the greenhouse.
The greenhouse consists of two parts. One half takes the 'library', the entire mother stock; the other is assigned for the so-called Q-phase, the quarantine phase. Here plant material is assessed and tested for plant pathogens by means of different technologies.
The facility measuring 1 ha is build within one year. The building is situated thus, so extensions can be made to all sides, up to 3.5 ha max. The infrastructure and technical installations are all designed to support this maximum size.
Managing Director Thomas Bousart providing some details: 109,247 kg steal, 96,576 kg glass, 4,220 rafters and 2,608 meter aluminium gutters.
Jean-Baptiste Wautier, Managing Partner at BC Partners.
CEO Biense Visser.
Biense Visser: "We take our responsibility in preventing the worldwide spreading of plant diseases. A state-of-the-art greenhouse facility designed in line with the world's highest hygiene standards makes a solid investment, especially with an eye to providing our customers with the best quality plant materials. This is a huge step for our phytosanitary program Greencare."
Jean-Baptiste Wautier took the honors of closing the greenhouse. On the right Biense Visser and mayor of Rheinberg Frank Tatzel.
With the closure of the greenhouse, the facility is no longer open for visitors. Want to take a look inside? See this video below:
