CAN (AB): Sprung returns to greenhouse construction roots

It’s been nearly 30 years since Sprung Instant Structures Ltd. stepped away from the greenhouse business to focus on its flagship product, the tensioned membrane building.

In 1987, the company partnered with the Newfoundland and Labrador government to build a greenhouse hydroponics facility near the St. John’s-Mount Pearl boundary, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage (NLH) website.

At that time, the government stated the project would boost the economy, create jobs and supply the local food chain with fresh produce.

However, NLH reported the facility failed to produce the quantity or quality of foods needed to sustain the operation, costing taxpayers over $20 million before it was sold and dismantled.

After the project, Tim Sprung, Sprung Instant Structure’s vice president, said the company focused on its “bread and butter” while halting production of greenhouses.

“We’ve learned from our mistakes—it’s OK to give things up and continue on a path that makes us money, because if we stay in something too long that we are losing money at, we’ll no longer be in business,” he said, noting it was nothing more than a slight setback.

“Let’s leave the growing to the specialists,” he added. “We’ll focus on what we do, making a product that is profitable.”

Now the firm is back building greenhouse structures and, through collaborations, have made a product that’s both profitable and successful, officials said.

Read more at the High River Times (Paul Krajewski)