Euro Plant Tray from a grower's perspective: Bromelia Specialist speaking out
February 7, 2024
Step by step, Royal FloraHolland is working to make logistic supplies more sustainable. This includes participation in Euro Plant Tray, an initiative to introduce a multi-use plant tray series. How do growers view this initiative? In this series 'Euro Plant Tray from a grower's perspective' we let growers have their say, with this time Geurt Stellaard of Bromelia Specialist.
Founded about 14 years ago, Bromelia Specialist in De Kwakel was the result of a collaboration between Bunnik Bromelia and LKP Plants, says director Geurt Stellaard. "Together we could offer a more complete package. The varieties both companies carry complement each other nicely. We can now supply something special every season, instead of year-round mixed boxes. We have five production locations where we produce about 10 million Bromeliads a year on 240,000 square meters."
'Well listened to constructive criticism'
To Euro Plant Tray, Geurt has a positive-critical attitude. "Let me start by saying that I wholeheartedly support the idea of a multi-use plant tray. It is good to see where we as a chain can become more sustainable when it comes to logistical resources. The opinions of a whole number of growers have been extensively considered in this project, which is a good thing. Constructive criticism is well listened to."
"But looking at our own product, I do have some doubts. We used to deliver our plants in a plastic tray with a plastic cover. We switched to delivering without a sleeve, in a cardboard box. With the Euro Plant Tray we would have to go back to a tray, but for protection we would need a sleeve again. I wonder if that would really be an improvement. In fact, it would be a retrograde step for us."
'A lot still needs to be done'
The grower also doubts whether introduction by mid-2024 is feasible. "I have the idea that it is not yet alive among buyers. They still know too little about it. A lot still has to be done to actually implement the system. There will have to be a pool and investment in a large mountain of trays. It is good that Royal FloraHolland has an important role in this, given its experience with logistics processes and the current pool of cask."
"I'm glad that a construction market has stuck its neck out and already ordered a million trays for German growers. Those are concrete steps you need in a project like this: that's how the flywheel can start turning. I understand the choice, because the hardware store supplies many outdoor products that do not have a cover. Then, of course, the Euro Plant Tray is a perfect solution. I think it's a smart move. The chain benefits more from this than from yet another discussion group."
Perspective from Royal FloraHolland
As a chain, we would like to work more and more sustainably. From our position in the chain, we want to facilitate initiatives such as Euro Plant Tray so that our growers and buyers have the opportunity to make use of it. In this way, parties in the chain can choose what best suits their path in sustainability. The multi-use Euro Plant trays, which are now in development, do not replace all trays or boxes 1-to-1. But it does address the need to reduce waste and to package more sustainably.
Exactly when the trays will be available on the market is not yet clear. At the moment we are busy preparing our systems and physical hubs for a successful introduction of Euro Plant tray. In this way we are working together step by step towards a sustainable floriculture chain.
Founded about 14 years ago, Bromelia Specialist in De Kwakel was the result of a collaboration between Bunnik Bromelia and LKP Plants, says director Geurt Stellaard. "Together we could offer a more complete package. The varieties both companies carry complement each other nicely. We can now supply something special every season, instead of year-round mixed boxes. We have five production locations where we produce about 10 million Bromeliads a year on 240,000 square meters."
'Well listened to constructive criticism'
To Euro Plant Tray, Geurt has a positive-critical attitude. "Let me start by saying that I wholeheartedly support the idea of a multi-use plant tray. It is good to see where we as a chain can become more sustainable when it comes to logistical resources. The opinions of a whole number of growers have been extensively considered in this project, which is a good thing. Constructive criticism is well listened to."
"But looking at our own product, I do have some doubts. We used to deliver our plants in a plastic tray with a plastic cover. We switched to delivering without a sleeve, in a cardboard box. With the Euro Plant Tray we would have to go back to a tray, but for protection we would need a sleeve again. I wonder if that would really be an improvement. In fact, it would be a retrograde step for us."
'A lot still needs to be done'
The grower also doubts whether introduction by mid-2024 is feasible. "I have the idea that it is not yet alive among buyers. They still know too little about it. A lot still has to be done to actually implement the system. There will have to be a pool and investment in a large mountain of trays. It is good that Royal FloraHolland has an important role in this, given its experience with logistics processes and the current pool of cask."
"I'm glad that a construction market has stuck its neck out and already ordered a million trays for German growers. Those are concrete steps you need in a project like this: that's how the flywheel can start turning. I understand the choice, because the hardware store supplies many outdoor products that do not have a cover. Then, of course, the Euro Plant Tray is a perfect solution. I think it's a smart move. The chain benefits more from this than from yet another discussion group."
Perspective from Royal FloraHolland
As a chain, we would like to work more and more sustainably. From our position in the chain, we want to facilitate initiatives such as Euro Plant Tray so that our growers and buyers have the opportunity to make use of it. In this way, parties in the chain can choose what best suits their path in sustainability. The multi-use Euro Plant trays, which are now in development, do not replace all trays or boxes 1-to-1. But it does address the need to reduce waste and to package more sustainably.
Exactly when the trays will be available on the market is not yet clear. At the moment we are busy preparing our systems and physical hubs for a successful introduction of Euro Plant tray. In this way we are working together step by step towards a sustainable floriculture chain.
-
Did you find this interesting?
Then share this article
-
Related articles
