Officially, Richel Mexico has had an office in Mexico for ten years - but prior to that, the company had already been a trusted partner in the Mexican high-tech greenhouse sector for 30 years, leading to over 1000 hectares of greenhouses being realized by the company. Recently, the company expanded their office with new storage facilities.
"We've been a leading player in high-tech greenhouses in Mexico for the past 30 years, and we have continually evolved to meet the needs of our customers and engage with local communities," says Barthelemy Richel. "Our commitment to our customers, employees, and the environment has never been stronger."
He explains it is always a permanent search for adapted technologies and the design of the project. According to Barthelemy, the new conditions in the Mexican market revolve around 3 main challenges: labor efficiency, food safety and control of pests and diseases, and the lack of water and water quality. "The lack of available skilled workers urges growers to get better results with fewer resources. The shortage of manpower is a parameter that every single grower has to face. Then, we can see the direct and immediate impact of global warming, which is happening strongly in Mexico with more extreme conditions every single season, in the disease and virus pressure, and the need to grow with less water available."
Regarding the food safety and pest and disease control, the Tomato Brown Rugose Virus is one of the much talked-about pests, but also weevil worms (Picudo) and thrips in pepper are stronger than ever, making the sustainability of productivity challenging. And water-wise, it's water treatments and recirculation that enable growers to get the same results using fewer resources.
These developments are obviously not something growers or Richel are facing one day to the other. "But with 30 years of presence, it is a constant adaptation in the design and technology we offer to our customers to adapt, innovate, and bring better tools to them. Higher greenhouses, bigger volume, wider span, new plastic technologies, better insect net and pest control, automation using better parameters and less energy consumption, design and logistic flow of the project, water treatment to allow recirculation," he sums up. "All of which can be expected from a good design are our constant concern that we develop listening to our customers."
These challenges don't appear overnight for growers, nor do the Richel solutions. "With our three-decade presence, it's a continual evolution in the design and technology we provide to help our customers adapt, innovate, and bring better tools to them. This includes higher greenhouses, increased volume, wider spans, new plastic technologies, better insect net and pest control, automation using better parameters and less energy consumption, design and logistic flow of the project, water treatment to allow recirculation," he underscores. "Listening to our consumers and our constant concern results in the designs we create to help them face these challenges."
Expansion
After opening its offices in Queretaro in 2014, Richel Mexico recently inaugurated new storage facilities there: a 1000m² bodega dedicated to their greenhouse materials and equipment, such as irrigation, heating, electricity, and automation systems. "This initiative is part of our strategy to bring our branches closer to our customers and suppliers, providing better local service," Barthelemy adds. In addition, the company also has an office in Guadalajara.
The drawings...
And the final results!
Over the years, their commitment to the environment and the Mexican community has only strengthened, and thanks to the work carried out in their branches, especially in Mexico, Richel Group recently obtained its second CSR star. "This is a label highlighting our practices of local sourcing, responsible management of drainage water, and our proximity to stakeholders. Richel Group invests in the local Mexican economy while fostering a dynamic and innovative corporate culture."
Richel Mexico will be present at the Greentech Americas trade show, with their booth located at planta baja - booth 516, where they will share their latest innovations and vision for a sustainable agricultural future.
For more information:
Richel Group
Quartier de la gare
13810 Eygalieres, France
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 90 95 14 68
Email: info@richel.fr
www.richel-group.com