OK Plant, which has just introduced his umbrella label Kolibri Company, is OZ Planten's grower of this month. Here you can feast your eyes on the beautiful orchids of Kolibri Orchids, the fresh green plants of Kolibri Greens and the trendy home accessories and ornamental pots of Kolibri Home. Marketer Lotte van Marrewijk took us along for a special tour.
History
Rob en Desiree Olsthoorn are the owners of OK Plant and together they share their passion to transform each home to a place where you can relax, feel comfortable. They started growing Saint Paulina, Nephrolepis and seasonal products in their nursery in De Lier, 30 years ago. At the time, Desiree spent her free time on Orchids, which made her heart beat faster. One thing led to another and slowly more and more room was made for Phalaenopsis, with the result that a greenhouse was built in Naaldwijk, which was fully equipped for the cultivation of Phalaenopsis. Kolibri Orchids has since grown into a strong customer brand. With a cultivation area of 80.000 m2 and 140 employees, they grow more than 125.000 plants per week.
Working method
The phalaenopsis cuttings are first in the Maasdijk branch, where they grow for about 20 weeks before they are transported to the location in Naaldwijk. Many activities in this nursery are automated. For example, the potting machine fills automatically the pots with bark and the plants are fully automatically transported in the greenhouse. After a growing period of about 45 weeks in different departments, the Phalaenopsis is ready to be stocked and after about two weeks they are ready for sale. Did you know that the process from receiving tissue culture material to ready-for-sale phalaenopsis takes an average of 1,5 years?
Diverse assortment
“When owners Rob and Desiree started the nursery in 1990, they did everything themselves. Now the company consists of 140 employees, each with their own specialism. We work continuously to optimise our cultivation, product range and development, inspired by our customers. It is in our genes: experience, learn, adapt and go full steam ahead for the best possible results", says Lotte van Marrewijk. In addition to Kolibri Orchids, Kolibri Home and Kolibri Greens, OK Plant also offers seasonal products such as Primula, Asters and Campanula. They strive to be a trendsetting grower of green and flowering plants. How do they do that? By combining plants with perfectly fitting pots and stylish home accessories with an eye for detail and current home trends. A perfect match, based on current trends.
Innovation
Desiree Olsthoorn finds the most extraordinary plants all over the world. She selects Orchids based on their refined details and unique appearance. It takes about 5 years for really special varieties before they can be sold in larger numbers. All the Orchids of Kolibri Orchids' are divided into separate families based on nature, as shown by their new Kolibri Orchids Jewel family - a unique orchid with impressive flowers and special colours. During the packaging process, all products are given a clear and recognizable Kolibri look.
Sustainability
OZ Planten mentions that they enjoy working with OK Plant because of their wonderful range and high quality products. But also because they see sustainability as an important part of entrepreneurship. They are constantly investing in environmentally and socially responsible solutions, such as the energy savings achieved by applying the New Style of Growing, the fact that OK Plant has ten times less heat loss due to greenhouse walls with sandwich panels instead of glass and the 950 solar panels that have been placed on top of the new ceramic storage facility. They also make a greenhouse available to the Boeregoed Foundation, which employs people with a disadvantage on the labour market. Kwekerij OK Plant has all the MPS different certifications, including MPS SW, MPS GAP, MPS A+ and MPS Product Proof and the products are PlanetProof certified.
For more information:
OZ Planten
info@ozplanten.nl
www.ozplanten.nl
OK Plant