Automation Approach Frees Up Greenhouse Labor at Ammerlaan-Sosef

Ammerlaan-Sosef, tucked away in the Westland region of the Netherlands near Honselersdijk, made the bold decision to expand its facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. When an opportunity came up to buy their neighbor’s land, owners Jeffrey Ammerlaan and Gertjan Sosef jumped on it. The purchase set in motion an automation strategy that would lead to a reimagining and re-do of Ammerlaan-Sosef’s Honselersdijk facility to accommodate the 3-acre expansion.  

Scaling up a greenhouse operation oftentimes can lead to more work. However, Ammerlaan-Sosef’s owners were determined that wasn’t going to happen. They carefully thought through the addition and redesign of the space to come up with an automation strategy that would help the team work smarter, not harder. It wasn’t easy. A phased construction project carried on during a worldwide pandemic and while the greenhouse was still fully functioning came with its own set of challenges. In the end, the results were well worth the effort. 

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Ammerlaan-Sosef produces 5 million plants of Celosia ‘Deep Purple’ Caracas, Primula Sweet Kisses, and Cyclamen ‘Fantasia Artic Red’ every year at its two locations.

The Greenhouse Grower team had the opportunity to visit Ammerlaan-Sosef while over in the Netherlands to attend the GreenTech conference. Thank you to Ammerlaan-Sosef for opening its doors to our team and giving us a great tour. Now, here is your opportunity to get an inside look into how Ammerlaan-Sosef found solutions through technology and automation for improving the work environment for its employees and streamlining operations to gain efficiency. Check out the slideshow above, or take a virtual video tour here.

Have you used technology or automation as a solution to solve a problem you faced at your greenhouse operation? If so, please let Greenhouse Grower Editor Janeen Wright know at [email protected]. We would love to share your story with our readers.

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