A sustainable partnership with Plant nursery P. van Geest

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A sustainable partnership with Plant nursery P. van Geest

Plant nursery P. van Geest in Maasland never stands still. With the ambition of becoming the greenest plant nursery greenest plant nursery, the nursery continues to innovate and become more sustainable. Over the past ten years, we have realised many successful projects. From renewing screen cloths and installing water systems to installing insect netting. Managing director Thijs Hermans talks about the projects and looks back on our cooperation.

A successful renovation

From something old, make something new. That was the entrepreneur's goal when an existing nursery 5 years ago was purchased for expansion. "Previously, the nursery in Naaldwijk was used for a lily crop. Adjustments to the water technology were needed. As was the laying of new floors and installing climate screens. With A1 Group, we went looking for the best solutions. Our locations had to be linked together hydrologically. We had a new basin made under the direction of A1 Group. They did an awful lot for us. Also at our location in Maasland, including replacing 10 ha of screen cloths and 20 ha of wire change. A1 Group advised us Ridder's energy screen cloth. We are still very satisfied with that."

Sustainable solutions

That sustainability plays an important role at P. van Geest is reflected in the renovations and choices that
they make. "We choose solutions that contribute to our sustainability vision," Thijs explains.
Insect netting was recently installed in one department. "After we shared this idea with A1 Group, they
conducted further research and scrutinised similar projects. Together, we
decided to pursue the idea. We are now testing the effect of growing different products under
mesh. Is it possible to grow both our hydrangea crop to tomatoes year-round below
produce? Thanks to insect netting, we can also produce exclusively organic crop protection
apply."

A reliable partner

When you have been working with each other for 10 years, it says a lot about the partnership. "A1 Group has a
No-nonsense mentality, that suits us. Thanks to short lines of communication and permanent points of contact, we can quickly
switch with each other. We don't have to wait six months for an offer. That just works well.
You notice that they have a lot of knowledge. We put a question to them, and they come up with
solutions that fit our situation."

For Thijs, a partnership is successful when you can rely on each other. And that reliability is something
he returned to A1 Group. "They do what they promise. When they say they will start in week 23, they do
that too. Everything that is agreed with each other beforehand is realised accordingly. Without surprises
afterwards. As a result, we always know where we stand and A1 Group is a very reliable
partner."

"The world is changing every day. What it will look like in three years, nobody knows. In any case, we won't stand still. Continuing to innovate and renew is typical of our company. With A1 Group as our partner, we look to the future with confidence."

Thijs Hermans | Managing director

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