factors in our choice of Priva technology ,” said Richard ter Laak . Priva ’ s project consultant John van der Wilk adds , “ Priva has a deep understanding of the particular needs and has shown its ability to integrate its products with the Adesys alarm system and the harvest solution from WebSphere Process Server ( WPS ). Clear communications between the grower and installer for the specific greenhouse operation at the start of the project is best . This is our “ project approach .” We create an automation strategy so that the best possible climate prevails in the greenhouse .” Implementation of Priva solutions in Ter Laak ’ s new greenhouse operation is a comprehensive project undertaken by Priva and installers Van der Arend and Tebarint . Integration of WPS , Adesys and Priva applications allows technical and logistic information to be shared across the different departments of the company and provides an instant overview of the entire production site . “ Ter Laak will be one of the first companies to use the new Priva Connext process computer for connecting , managing and optimizing all aspects of the orchid nursery such as temperature records , workflow , crop steering , and harvest scheduling ,” says John van der Wilk .
Lowering production costs By choosing for Priva solutions , the Ter Laak brothers have set their sights on lowering production costs , while still guaranteeing premium-quality products . The automated transport of containers introduces an important reduction of labor costs especially during the last part of the production process when saleable plants are collected to be provided with a support stake and packaging . “ At our previous location , the production of cuttings also involved lots of to and fro movements . Altogether we hope to realize a 30 % reduction in labor .” Energy costs for a greenhouse operation can be as much as 33 % of the total operating costs for growers . Therefore , Ter Laak ’ s new greenhouses are outfitted with an external shading screen with integrated solar panels set to produce around 200 kilowatt hours ( kWh ) during the day . “ This external screen allows less lighting and heating and less cooling during the summertime . Furthermore , we have a more efficient cogeneration plant and heating pumps . Total energy savings are expected to be up to 25 %.”
Data communication An absolute first for Ter Laak Orchid Nursery is the data-bus communication system interconnecting different technical devices and allowing them to communicate with each other without extensive cabling . “ A fiber optic cable offers high data transmission rates . This revolutionary bus communication includes all screening and ventilation devices along with measuring equipment .” The Priva Vialux HD / UV system is a proven concept for providing effective and efficient disinfection of irrigation water . Vialux works following the principles of High Density HD / UV , making it suitable for disinfection of either large or small quantities of water . Disinfection of drain water and surface water enables expensive water and / or fertilizers to be recycled .
Ready for the future With the opening of the new premises , Richard ter Laak is ready for the future . “ But this doesn ’ t mean we are focusing on futuristic technologies . Most of the technologies applied in our new greenhouse operation are proven . Only a few , including the external shading screen with integrated solar panels are new . By far it wasn ’ t our aim to set up an experimental garden . Nevertheless , we are very proud of having managed a technical tour-de-force with an automated and individual PAR ( parabolic aluminized reflector ) for lighting and screening and sidewalls of sandwich panels . One of our main concerns has been to safeguard our flexibility . When buyers contact our new premises , we guarantee that we can offer tailor-made plants . A common comment about highly automated businesses is that they can only deliver “ a dime a dozen ” products . But , if a customer wishes , let ’ s say , mature plants with widely-open flowers , Ter Laak will be more than happy to offer these .”
Reprinted from February 2010 | www . FloraCultureInternational . com “ Ter Laak Orchids concentrates on colourful future ”.
1 . The new greenhouse under construction .
Ter Laak Orchids Middenzwet 23 2291 HM Wateringen Tel : + 31 ( 0 ) 174 87 01 10 E-mail : info @ orchidee . nl www . orchidee . nl
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