With the GreenTech coming up this month we're getting in touch with several horticultural intellectuals, entrepreneurs, innovators and general greenhouse geeks. Today WPS tells us more on how they Proof Solutions.
What is your contribution to the advancement of the global horticulture industry?
With our smart logistics systems we make the horticulture industry more efficient. Our automation solutions reduce labor costs and are a way to meet the needs of the markets our customers operate in. From potting to delivery and everything in between.
What would you say is the most important topic in horticulture at the moment?
Sustainability. With the WPS systems you can grow more plants using the same space, with the same amount of energy.
What will you be doing at the GreenTech? Will you present any novelties during the trade show?
We will present our SmartFlo system (conveyor belts), automatic sorting- and delivery systems (including Vision camera technology) and our robotics solutions. New in our “Smart Family” is “Smart Staff” that automatically picks, places and wraps potted plants so they can be delivered according to the customer’s needs:
1. Smart Picking: the robotic arm that detects and picks the right plants and flowers
2. Smart Labeling: then the plants are automatically labeled.
3. Smart Destacking: the innovative way of automatically destacking your trays.
4. Smart Placing: the smart robotic arm places the potted plants in a tray.
5. Smart Wrapping: the trays are wrapped.
The trays are ready for transport.
All of these elements can communicate with each other and with other existing systems.
What project that you’re currently involved in are you most proud of?
We love what we do, so all of our projects, big or small, make us proud. As long as we can bring a smile to our customer’s face.
One of our bigger projects at this moment is the new Daylight Greenhouse at Ter Laak, where we are installing a complete intern logistic system. This includes an innovative potting and placing line, a fully automatic sorting line with 3D camera unit, stacking stations and a delivery and packing station with the use of three-dimensional robotic arms.
Other big current projects are Rockwell Farms (USA) and Rainbow Greenhouses (CAN). At Rockwell Farms we are providing their 14,5 hectare/39 acres of greenhouses with our SmartFlo system and potting lines. Rainbow Greenhouses (CAN) has selected WPS again for expanding their current system.
How do you see the future of horticulture?
We will become more and more dependent on technology, as technology will provide the solutions to the problems we are facing: environment, space, energy, water, labor, feeding the world, etc.
Grodan is to exhibit at the GreenTech exhibition June 12-13-14 in Amsterdam. The GreenTech summit will take place June 11th.
For more information on the GreenTech exhibition and the GreenTech Summit, check out www.greentech.nl.