Bom Group celebrates 50 years of innovation

Greenhouse builder Bom Group celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It was celebrated in style last weekend with an innovation breakfast for international relations with everal lectures on developments in international horticulture. Speakers included Sjaak Bakker of Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture and Mike Vermeij, general manager of Bom Group.

More than 450 people visited the festively decorated hall at the new location in Hoek van Holland on Saturday afternoon, June 18. Mike Vermeij: "The turnout on Saturday afternoon was overwhelming. It was also nice to hear that participants appreciated the innovation route." The entire anniversary party was marked by innovations in past and present. An innovation route led through the new office with presentations of past innovations such as the rocker mechanism, aluminum gutter, ventilation rail mechanism, PB glass lifter and more. In the party hall the new innovations were shown, such as the Winterlight Greenhouse. This concept - in combination with a new type of screen system, screen cloth and special light-diffusing glass - yields more than 10% of light gain. The Winterlight Greenhouse is currently being built at the site of Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk with all its installations, systems and products. Several studies and crop trials will be conducted there in the coming period.

The party continued with music till the wee hours; Mike Vermeij: "It was more than successful, we really enjoyed it."

Because a (former) colleague suffers from polyneuropathy and the company wants to contribute to the eradication of this disease, relations were asked for a contribution towards research instead of a gift. Since contributions were still being received as the festive afternoon progressed it was decided to announce the final amount at a later time. The total amount, topped with a contribution from the Bom Group itself, will soon be handed over to the Princess Beatrix Spierfonds.