'We were looking for a partner who could really help us more'
Flying in the face of the economic wind Ter Laak Orchids in Wateringen is building a new phalaenopsis farm. Three current branches will be housed under one roof at the new facility, set for completion sometime during 2010. With the new greenhouse-with-office Ter Laak is not only taking advantage of the latest developments in the fields of sustainability, crop technology and automation, but is also gaining a
better overview of,
insight into and control
over the cultivation process.
Owners Richard and Eduard ter Laak have one simple goal: the best quality phalaenopsis at the most competitive price. Richard ter Laak: 'By bringing all our activities under one roof we reap all of the benefits: we can integrate the latest technologies, have an overview of the entire company at a stroke and increase our acreage immediately from 5.5 to almost eight hectares; with the option to expand another six hectares in future.' The complex comprises two greenhouses at right angles to each other: a lattice greenhouse and a wide-span greenhouse. There will be two cultivation levels in the wide-span greenhouse: the phalaenopsis will be grown on the top level; below this will be facilities for processing and transporting the plants.
All processes integrated
The first discussions on the new build took place some eighteen months ago. Priva was the partner from the start, even though Ter Laak has a different automation company in the other three existing branches. Richard ter Laak: 'The relationship with our current automation partner is excellent. However, we still chose Priva, because in Priva we see a partner who can really help us more both now and in the future. We have chosen proven technologies for our new greenhouse and some new ones too, such as outside shading curtain which is being used on a large scale for the first time here. During all the discussions that we had with Priva and with the installer Van der Arend, with Priva project advisor John van der Wilk amongst others, we have been able to propose an automation strategy which was fully in keeping with our requirements: all climate, cultivation and business-related processes integrated. Priva is the only company offering this.’
An intuitive feel
In the new complex Priva is supplying the – equally new – Connext process computer, PrivAssist labour registration, a number of modules from the Priva Fusion management system and a Priva Vialux for water disinfection. Systems from other parties are linked directly, so that Ter Laak truly does get an all-in-one solution. The Indigo internal transport system from Van Zaal for example, and also the logistics system from WPS Horti Systems – which works seamlessly with PrivAssist Labour registration. Richard ter Laak: "We want a solution which we can later use to easily adjust all possible settings, but that also allows us to grow using our intuition, down to the finest nuances. Phalaenopsis is a product that won't allow itself to be controlled just like that. You need intuition to do this.'
Would you like more information?
You can follow the construction of the greenhouse on Ter Laak Orchid's website. For more information about Priva's integrated solutions visit www.priva.nl or contact us by phone at +31 (0)174 522600.
