When Royal Berry converts an existing vegetable greenhouse to grow strawberries, one problem appears right away: the old vegetable gutters don't fit. Vegetable gutters are 4.5 meters wide, while strawberry systems usually use gutters that are 1.00 or 1.25 meters wide. That mismatch requires a custom solution.
To make the setup work efficiently, Royal Berry partnered with Van Tuijl to design a 1.12-meter-wide growing gutter. With drip lines placed directly on the gutters, water and nutrients go exactly where the plants need them, key for consistent and efficient production.
Jan van Genderen, owner of Royal Berry: "We want to grow exactly the way we envision it. Uniformity, labor efficiency, and quality all have to go together. For that, you need a partner who understands that every detail matters. Van Tuijl is flexible, delivers on time, and really thinks along with us. That gives us peace of mind."
"We have control over the entire chain"
Van Tuijl has been active for over 100 years in three horticultural sectors: tree nurseries, soft fruit, and ornamental crops. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies its own products, managing everything from production to logistics. This full control ensures high quality, availability, and custom solutions for growers.
For Royal Berry, this means custom strawberry gutters perfectly matched to the greenhouse layout, with uniform irrigation thanks to integrated dripper systems. The smart 1.12-meter design and efficient greenhouse setup also improve labor efficiency. Where standard solutions fall short, Van Tuijl uses new molds and tailor-made production to meet specific needs—always ensuring reliable delivery, even under tight deadlines and with large orders. "Because we develop and produce everything ourselves, we control the entire chain," says Nico van Tuijl. "That makes us flexible and gives growers confidence that we'll keep our promises."
Trust as the basis for developing custom strawberry containers
The partnership between Royal Berry and Van Tuijl began in 2010, and this is already their fourth major project together. A key milestone was the decision to invest in a new mold, a big step for both companies and a clear example of trust and collaboration.
Jan explains: "You both take a risk. We get exactly what we need at a fair price, and Van Tuijl can produce it profitably. That only works when there's mutual trust. Van Tuijl is always transparent about costs and options, and people like Nico really think with us. That's how you create opportunities together."
Scalable and sustainable cultivation
Back in 2010, Royal Berry cultivated strawberries on 6.5 hectares. Today, that has expanded to 57 hectares, and with this latest project, the next step toward 75 hectares is already underway. With each expansion, the infrastructure grows too: more gutters, greater uniformity, and higher labor efficiency.
Sustainability runs like a red thread through the company's strategy. Robots equipped with UVC lamps move through the greenhouse at night, preventing fungal diseases without the need for chemical treatments. Anti-reflective glass boosts light transmission by 10%, improving both fruit quality and yield. Combined with CHP systems, solar panels, and a closed-loop water system, Royal Berry is steadily working toward its long-term goal: fully energy-neutral strawberry production. "For all those innovations, you need a solid foundation," says Jan. "The infrastructure has to be right, and thanks to Van Tuijl, we're building toward those goals step by step."
Moving forward together
Today, Royal Berry stands among the top strawberry growers in the Netherlands. Behind that success is a strong network of partners who share the same drive for excellence. Jan concludes: "We want to grow the best strawberries in the country. And that's only possible with partners who set the bar just as high. Van Tuijl is a perfect example of that."
For more information:
Van Tuijl
[email protected]
www.vth.nl
