Four trends driving greenhouse tech and automation

Trend 1: Suppliers Addressing Grower Needs

The most efficient technology solutions for the greenhouse market will ideally start with suppliers identifying what growers truly need. This partnership and communication is critical.

Kris Nightengale, Vice President of Sales at AdeptAg, says recent inquiries from growers have run the full gamut of production needs. Usually, the inquiry originates from the area of production that they are least confident in.

“We all accept that there is a high correlation between speed and quality; the faster you go, the lower the quality, and vice versa. Growers do not always know where the trade-off is when it comes to automation,” Nightengale says. “With good inputs, growers do not need to sacrifice speed or quality at nearly the same thresholds as with human labor.”

Ronald Hoek, CEO and co-founder of Blue Radix, says the biggest needs and concerns growers have will depend on their situation.

“For some, their biggest value driver is having difficulty finding skilled and experienced growers, especially if they are expanding,” Hoek says of growers’ needs. “They may also be looking for ways to improve production and reduce costs, as well as digital solutions to securing crop knowledge and best practices so they can be prepared if a grower leaves the company.”

One international company recently came up with a better way to meet the needs of its U.S. customers: It set up a new domestic office. In May, ISO Group USA, a subsidiary of Dutch ISO Group, manufacturer of automated plant handling machines, hosted a grand opening reception to announce its expansion into central Virginia.

ISO Group has always partnered directly with its customers. The expanded U.S. presence prioritizes this commitment. Local service technicians and a domestic service phone line enhance customer service. Domestic shipping increases parts availability and reduces lead time.

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Photo: Greenhouse Grower

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