Supporting horticultural companies in Central America and by doing so tapping into a new market, that's what fifteen Dutch companies and HAS University have set themselves to do. All belong to the ‘NethWork’ cluster. Coordinators Renee Snijders, Edwin Smit and Jos Leeters explain the possibilities of and for the horticultural sector in Central America.
Last year saw the official launch during the Horti Fair: fourteen companies and HAS University in Den Bosch, united under the name NethWork. Just now, the group expanded with Modiform, Koppert Biological Systems and A&N Luiten. Together, they can realize a high-quality, cutting-edge turnkey greenhouse, fully equipped with modern cropping systems, anywhere in the world. But that is not what matters in NethWork: the group focuses on supporting horticulture in Central America. Renee Snijders (Ideavelop), Edwin Smit (previously active at Koppert and Ideavelop) and Jos Leeters (Bureau Leeters, horticultural advice) coordinate the project.
"The production settings and the preconditions offer excellent opportunities," says Leeters. "Both for horticulture and floriculture. What we want is an open exchange of ideas and to share the knowledge we have.” An example is the selection of ten key figures of exporting manufacturing companies and universities from Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. In October, they’ll visit the Netherlands as part of an international training course for entrepreneurs. In addition there are advanced plans for a turnkey, sustainable demonstration project for green plants. "Which should serve as a model for the horticulture industry over there," Leeters adds.
Guatemala is currently the focus market, the other countries in Central America are seen as emerging. "Mexico is better known as a production area, but the conditions in Guatemala are just as favourable. Guatemala has good climatic conditions," explains Snijders. "Many small businesses are starting to lean toward organic growth. We could be of service there," continues Snijders, who like Edwin Smit lives in Costa Rica. “Moreover, there is much potential for the area: producers focus on the US market and make it to the middle segment. Export is a sign of quality. By sharing knowledge we can increase quality and create added value.”
Currently the cluster operates through the contributions of affiliated companies and subsidy from the Dutch government. "But after that ends in 2015, there is a real chance that we can develop it commercially," says Smit. "There’s ample enthusiasm among the members and it is a growing market.”
The companies involved in NethWork:
A. Van Dongen Heerschap- Aweta - Celtic Cooling - GreenQ - Has Hogeschool - Ideavelop - Javo -JconnectA - Van Der Knaap Groep - Lutgo Global - Formflex-Metazet - Priva - Valstar Holland - Van Der Heide Foliekassen -Modiform– Koppert Biological Systems and A&N Luiten.
For more information please visit: www.NethWork.info.