Construction On Hold
April 28, 2009 Is there such a thing as too many greenhouses? Indestructible infrastructures? Perfectly controlled growing environments?
Well, nothing is perfect. But you have to admit greenhouses and the many components that comprise them are making your job easier today than they were a couple decades ago. Do you remember or know about wooden frames? How about glass panes lapped like shingles or those wide-span greenhouses?
Think how far we’ve come in such little time. The future holds just as much promise in making infrastructures indestructible and perfecting growing environments. But what about that first question: Is it possible we could ever build too many greenhouses? Will there always be a need for more, especially if greenhouses approach indestructibility and perfection? The question is a legitimate one considering fewer growers built in the last year, and construction costs have risen considerably in the last few years.
Our Top 100 Growers report, which we featured in our last issue, is a reflection of the biggest greenhouse operations growing under less environmentally controlled space. A handful of Top 100 growers did expand their operations in the last year, but there was no dramatic expansion among the 10 largest operations in the United States. Does that mean the biggest operations have hit a wall in terms of the number of greenhouses they need? Of course not, but it’s worth keeping an eye on in the years to come, especially with the state of the economy.
Searching For Solutions
To build, growers first need a consumer demand, which then leads to opportunities. Over the last couple decades, the rise of the big box retailers presented new opportunities for growers of all sizes. More and more greenhouse structures sprung up across America, and some growers who, perhaps, started out small are now operating facilities that seemingly warrant their own zip codes.
Regarding structures, many Top 100 growers expressed a desire to build more greenhouses – just not this year. Raw material price increases and a lack of financing have made it impossible for many growers, including some among the Top 100, to make quality expansions. Many simply don’t have the cash flow to build, even if customers are asking them to provide more plants.
The buzz this year is to do more with less in all phases of growing. As growers delay expansions and improvements, they’re instead streamlining production with existing facilities and making better use of the space at hand. Ultimately, streamlining should improve their bottom lines, free up some cash and make growers even better at what they do. More greenhouses will spring up along the way, too.
We also want you to become better growers despite the economic crisis. Anytime you see the green dollar symbol icon (pictured above) on our pages in the coming months, it’s the signal that we’re honing in on the economy and presenting solutions to help you overcome the troubles you face. You’ll even find solutions to build your bottom line in this issue, so flip forward and start thinking structures, coverings and environmental controls now.
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