Seeing Is Believing
Sensing caution regarding production of vegetative material in China along the supply chain, Falkenstein decided to take a group of brokers, Fischer's rooting station growers, root-and-sell grower distributors and media representatives to see Eastfields - and China - for themselves so they could form a more educated opinion.
"Many people, including myself before last year, do not know China. China is a mystery," he explains. "Some even thought the shipping of cuttings would take an extra day. We wanted to shed some light on not just the facility but on China itself. Another reason is with the difficulties with Goldsmith geraniums these last two years we wanted to show off the facilities where they are now being produced. Eastfields is the finest and cleanest facilities anywhere in the world for producing stock. We wanted to dispel any lingering fears that might still exist."
And, according to those who were invited on the trip, most of the uneasy feelings they may have felt about China before have been quieted. "I was one of those who questioned China for a production facility," says Ira Grasgreen, Eason Horticultural Resources. "After our visit, I can see why China has become this manufacturing force in the world. Bottom line, I was incredibly impressed by what we saw in Shanghai."
Aside from grumblings about the authentic Chinese food, many of the group of 40, plus four Fischer employees, can only rave about the Shanghai experience. "The only negatives are the comments on some of the food we were served, like Duck Tongue and Sparrow Gizzards," Falkenstein jokes.
The five-day excursion in late October, with two full days in China and two spent traveling, gave attendees a brief but powerful glimpse of Eastfields' production capabilities and Chinese culture. "What struck me the most is that we saw a glimpse of the future on two fronts," says George Alkema, Linwell Gardens. "In our industry, we saw where Fischer is going to be - a powerhouse in the sense that they have done an excellent job in each area of the business - great facility, great combined breeding with Goldsmith, excellent vision for systems that are constantly upgraded, good production methods and worldwide shipping. They are, and are going to remain, an industry leader. The second front parallels this - China is in a huge growth state and from what we could see is going to be a world leader."
Fischer is working to solve a few lingering issues of concern. Those who visited the Eastfields facilities realize the operation will have some growing pains to deal with, and overall seem impressed with its potential, not only in the U.S. market but in growing the global floriculture industry.
"From my visits to many other offshore facilities, this China site is by far the most technologically advanced of any," says Troy Lucht, Malmborg's Greenhouses. "In the long term, I would say that China will be a great floriculture market. It is an agrarian society that appreciates the beauty of plants. As they increase their incomes and move into these high rise buildings, they will want more plants with them in their homes. The sheer number of people and homes there will bring a massive market that will develop over the next decades."
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