Kreling Chrysanten: a very progressive family business that excels in cooperation and innovation

Coöperatie Kreling Chrysanten is a partnership of five chrysanthemum growers from the Bommelerwaard, in Bruchem, Gelderland, with an annual sales of 160 million stems per year for the European retail sector. According to the jury, the family business excels in continuous innovation. ‘You are taking the lead in your sector when it comes to devising and testing new developments in the field of robotisation and sustainability initiatives, such as growing from the ground, 3-layer rooting, cutting machines, plug cultivation (less peat required) and fertilisers based on natural sources. You are investing heavily in this and are pushing your entire sector forward.’

CE-Line: can make a global impact with real-time water analysis

CE-Line is a scale-up from Emmeloord in Flevoland, which makes it possible to perform real-time laboratory analyses on the amount of nutrients in irrigation and drainage water. The company developed a ‘plug and play’ measuring system, which is connected to the grower’s existing water supply. The jury is impressed by the automatic measuring system: ‘This opens up a new dimension in data for plant growth, automatic control of greenhouses, research and water quality management. A truly future-proof technology for horticulture that can make an impact worldwide, and also outside the sector.’

Entrepreneurs proactively working to maintain the Netherlands’ global top position

Prior to the award ceremony, panel discussions were held with Jaap Bond, figurehead of the Top Sector Horticulture & Starting Materials, Annie van de Riet, chair of AVAG, the trade association for greenhouse horticulture technology, and a total of six nominees, including Plantenkwekerij Gitzels, Boltha, TTA-ISO en Valto Biocontrol. The conclusion was that if the Netherlands wants to maintain its global top position and remain the breeding ground for new innovations, entrepreneurs must proactively work together to remain well-regarded by the Dutch government.

Innovation Network Square

After the award ceremony, visitors could visit the Innovation Square. There, start-ups and scale-ups were given the opportunity to present themselves. The meeting was made possible by the event sponsors: Vertify, Province of North Holland, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Top Sector Horticulture & Starting Materials, Rijk Zwaan, Bejo seeds, Royal Anthos, Van Iperen, MPS, Flower Council Holland and HortiHeroes. The Horticulture Entrepreneurship Award Foundation is supported by the partners: Innovation Fund Hagelunie/Interpolis, Rabobank, Royal FloraHolland, Flynth advisors and accountants, Glastuinbouw Nederland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. And this year also Greenport Noord-Holland Noord, who co-organized the Theme Award.

Photo captions: CE-Line wins the Future-proof technologies Theme Award from Jelle Beemsterboer (Greenport Noord-Holland Noord) // Photo credits: Fotostudio Vlekke