Hortikit introduces new self assembly conveyor

A new Hortikit product will be launched during the IPM which will be held from the 24th to the 27th of January 2012.

Hortikit, which is part of WPS Horti Systems, has recently added a unique self-assembly product to its range: the self-assembly Belt Transporter. This conveyer belt is easy to assemble and because of this it is also the cheapest conveyer belt for long distances in the horticultural sector.

This new variation has been further developed so that the self-assembly conveyer belt is constructed entirely from standard components. These standard components ensure that the Belt Transporter is easy to assemble oneself.

The Belt Transporter is of exceptional quality, requires low maintenance and can be walked on. It provides reliable transport for your plants and can be used as the main conveyor, as a permanent conveyor in the section or as part of a transport system. The conveyer belt is available in a range of widths which makes it suitable for a variety of applications.

The self-assembly Belt Transporter is as part of WPS Horti Systems’ new product range. Hortikit is part of the WPS Group and supplies professional, internal transport construction packages for the greenhouse horticultural sector. Container systems are also part of the product range. Thanks to the cleverly designed, standardised components the grower and/or his personnel are able to assemble systems themselves and so limit the costs. In addition to this, these standard products are ideally suited for step by step upgrades or extension.

For more information about this product go to www.hortikit.nl.

Hortikit: new range of products for Do-It-Yourself intern transport

The new range of products from WPS Horti Systems will be officially launched during the Horti Fair. This new label, Hortikit, offers bench systems, conveyors en simple mobile sorting systems. This label distinguishes by simple DIY installation, competitive pricing and guaranteed quality.

On the new website www.hortikit.nl it is possible to request for a quotation.
Hortikit focuses on  the first step in automation in order to realize more efficiency in nurseries.

WPS Horti Systems presents these products under a separate label as DIY products are positioned differently. Full-service, customization and advanced features WPS Horti Systems. Hortikit clearly distinguishes itself in another way: competitive prices, standard components and DIY assembly.

WPS Horti Systems and Hortikit  characterized both in the excellent quality of products.

Method
Through the website a quote form can be filled out for container systems. Within a few days you will receive a quotation. By the quotation will be assumed that the default installation is performed by the grower or other party.
On request,  Hortikit also offers remote service, on-site service by a supervisor and full service.

Hortikit supplies also to intermediaries such as greenhouse builders and companies that specialize in turnkeyprojects.

For more information on http://www.hortikit.nl/

Robotics at Prominent DC in practice

This week, the first tomatoes will be fully automated checked and packed in tomato Prominent Distribution using a robotics and vision solution. Both parties, DC Prominent and WPS Horti Systems have sufficient confidence in the robotics solution to start in practice. The automation provides further assurance, reliability and 100% labor savings.

The past year WPS Horti Systems has worked hard on the innovative solution by both parties. In recent months there have been extensive tests done with the whole setup in the research compartment of WPS Horti Systems. This week the whole solutions has started in practice.  

Prominent DC believes that robotics is the future. Unique to this innovative solution is the efficient use of high-tech industrial robots with vision technology. An unprecedented innovation in horticulture.

Method

The products are automatically supplied wrapped in foil seal. Cameras monitor the information on labels for accuracy and readability, and four other criteria. If the products does not meet one of the criteria, the product will be automatically removed.

After the vision checks the scales will be automatically placed in boxes by the robots.
For maximum protection the shells are packed at the corners of the products.

WPS represent on Horti Fair Amsterdam

Horti Fair and Horti Fair Fresh: 1 – 4 November, Amsterdam RAI

WPS is also this year represented at the Horti Fair in Amsterdam.From 1 to 4 November inclusive the Amsterdam RAI will be the backdrop for the Horti Fair and Horti Fair Fresh. The Horti Fair is more than just a trade show: the Horti Fair is the iconic horticultural event for knowledge, inspiration and ambition.

The Horti Fair is the biggest international trade fair for technology, innovation and inspiration in horticulture. Horti Fair Fresh is the trade fair for the Fruit and Vegetable sector. From 10.00 to 19.00 hours on Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 November inclusive you will find dozens of seminars and network meetings in the Amsterdam RAI. Furthermore, the Horti Fair is the heart of the HortiWeek with a total of around 1,200 exhibitors.

Theme: Water

The Horti Fair shows the solutions that horticultural technology has to offer for global challenges on water, food, clean energies and well-being and ‘Water’ is the theme of this year’s Horti Fair.

It is in this context, therefore, that the first edition of the International HortiCongress is taking place on 1 November 2001, the first day of the fair. During this congress, top international speakers will be shedding light on the role horticulture can play in global water problems.

WPS Horti Systems will present new products at the show. More information about these new products follows.

Technical Trials increases number of participants

The number of companies participating in the Technical Trials has recently increased because Grodan, Wageningen UR, Jiffy Products and Hortilux Schréder have signed up. The second edition of the Technical Trials takes place from 1st to the 4th of November 2011 during HortiWeek. The initiative to give visitors from both home and abroad a complete impression of the technology in the Dutch Horticultural Sector via inspirational company visits started last year. The organisation is happy with the arrival of the new participants and expects an increase in the number of visitors this year because of the Technical Trials’ growing name.

WPS introduces a mobile sorting system during the IPM

WPS Horti Systems will introduce a compact, mobile sorting system that has been specifically developed for the international market during the IPM. This compact, mobile sorting system offers the possibility of sorting plants by height and diameter, which can yield considerable labour savings. Because the system is very flexible it is suitable for use by a large group of potted plant growers.

Batch uniformity is becoming increasingly important and can even increase growers’ yields. In addition to this, delivering and particularly sorting the plants are the most expensive processes for nurseries in terms of labour. The compact, mobile delivery system from WPS sorts automatically, which can give substantial labour savings, and makes it easy to deliver uniform batches.

Growers that don’t deliver to a central location and are not automated or don’t have existing logistics available can get a lot of advantages from this system. This compact, mobile system offers a solution specifically for these growers.

The mobile sorting system can be used wherever it is required, whether that’s on the paths, the cultivation beds or various cultivation locations. The same system can also be used for different pot sizes and crops. Plants can be fed in manually from a monorail or trolley or directly from the cultivation beds or cultivation tables. Connecting the system to fixed conveyor belts, coupling belts or a buffer belt makes it possible to feed the mobile delivery system automatically with a forklift truck. Heights and diameters can easily be measured and the system can also be used outside once a few small adjustments have been made.

You are warmly invited to visit our exhibition stand, number 3E37, during the IPM for more information regarding the possibilities and prices of the mobile sorting system.

WPS Horti Systems and Prominent team up to develop robotic packaging system for tomatoes

The idea is to develop a machine which includes a vision system to carry out quality check on tomatoes. Both companies will set up a research program including user testings . The research program is set to start by mid 2011.
WPS Horti Systems is a leading provider of automation solutions for the professional plant industry. An important part of the processes within greenhouse operations are not yet fully automatic. So far, quality control systems were too complicated for automation. However, WPS has now announced the introduction of robotic packaging systems that will be used as a vital part of a well-oiled logistic system.

WPS on IPM 2011

WPS will be present on IPM Essen in Germany from 25th till 28th of January. You can find us in the technology section, hall 3, on standnumber 3E37.  More information about novelties presented during the IPM will follow on this website.

For more information about IPM go to http://ipm.messe-essen.de/

Technical Trials: High-tech suppliers opened their companies during the Horti Fair

Technical Trials: High-tech suppliers opened their companies during the Horti Fair
Friday 15th of October 2010

For the first time 17 leading technical producers have opened their doors to entrepreneurs from the international horticulture sector during the Horti Fair last week in the Netherlands. These inspiring company visits, have provided both national and international horticultural entrepreneurs with the most complete impression of Dutch horticultural technology possible. The producers and various research centres have shown the latest technologies in practice. The Technical Trials are initiated by Priva, Beekenkamp and the Demonursery Westland and based on the well-known concept Flower Trials. The visitors as well as the media considered the Technical Trials as a welcome addition on the Horti Fair.

The organization is very satisfied about the first edition of Technical Trials. Priva’s Marketing Manager, Jan-Hugo Nuijt says the following:
“This year we wanted to introduce the Technical Trials to the Horti Fair visitor. Despite the fact that there were no large numbers of visitors, people reacted really positive.  Also the international media showed much interest in the Technical Trials. This year the concept has proven itself for the future.”

“The amount of visitors was not yet high this year. Despite this, the quality and interest of the visitors was truly high and this is perhaps even more important. Besides we didn’t expect large number yet. This was the kickoff of the Technical Trials and people still have to get familiar with this new initiative. Soon the evaluation with all the participating companies will take place and will definitely lead to improvements. We hope to optimize the concept for next years. Among others things international acquaintance will be more important next year.” Thus Peet van Adrichem, co-initiater and Managing Director Demonursery.

“The obscurity of the concept Technical Trials was high the first year. Next edition of the Technical Trials will focus more on international exposure. The organization expects a growth by more targeted actions and the coming of the Dutch Hortiweek next year.” Rob van der Helm, co-initiator and Marketing Manager Beekenkamp.

Participating producers 2010 were:
Leen Huisman, FormFlex, Metazet, WPS Horti Systems, Berg Product, Priva, De Gier Drive Systems, Glass Handling Technic, Van der Knaap Groep, Visser, Improvement Centre, Flier Systems, Beekenkamp Verpakkingen, Frans van Zaal Totaaltechniek, Green Q, Tomatoworld en Demokwekerij Westland.

For more information about the Technical Trials, please visit the website www.technicaltrials.nl 

WPS number 87 in the hundred leading companies in the Dutch greenhouse horticulture!

The hundred leading companies in the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector have been presented in the eight edition of the Hillenraad 100 magazine. WPS raised to number 87 this year! The Hillenraad wrote about WPS:

''WPS Horti Systems provides internal logistics and automation systems for nurseries (especially pot plants). You might well conclude that they must be doing badly because they're a technical supply company. On the contrary! WPS Horti Systems is publishing positive press releases all the time about deliveries to interesting  Dutch clients. This has everything to do with the specific solutions this company offers, such as the Plant Order System. This system improves nurseries' delivery flexibility, something that is in great demand at present. WPS Horti Systems also provides the matching container systems, which is good for profit too. Another "hotcake" is their Plant Groei Cal (Plant Growth Cell): 3 million of these haven been sold already. The company makes a solid impression. They have succeeded in integrating mechanisation, automation and robotisation, where others have failed. The young (and partly new) management are keeping up the pace assisted perhaps by the fact that more and more employees have become shareholders themselves."