Dümmen Orange, leading breeder and propagator has opened its new Elite facility on May 30th in Rheinberg. During the ceremony the doors of the Elite facility were officially closed by Biense Visser, CEO of Dümmen Orange and Frank Tatzel, Mayor of Rheinberg. The closing is the starting point of the new hygiene Greencare policy in the greenhouse.
The high tech greenhouse will secure a disease free production start for all Dümmen Orange Bedding Plants, Perennials and Pot Plants and is going to be the backbone of Dümmen’s global production locations.
The Elite Rheinberg facility is an important milestone in the development and implementation of Dümmen’s Greencare policy. Greencare describes the mandatory preventive hygiene measures for people and locations to keep plants clean. It sets guidelines for the control of a clean plant stock through diagnostic tests, scouting on pests and diseases, audits and inspections. With Greencare, Dümmen Orange sets the highest level of phyto security in the industry, which can only be achieved through facilities that outperform and reduces risks for our their operation and customers.
Biense Visser: “We take our responsibility for avoiding worldwide distribution of plant diseases. A state-of-the-art facility designed according to the world’s highest hygiene standards is a sound investment for us, looking at the value it will bring to our customers. This is a huge step for our phytosanitary program Greencare. Start Clean, Stay Clean reached a next level at Dümmen Orange.”
How do things work at the Elite facility?
New plants are entering a system via a controlled quarantine process in a separated zone. Mandatory laboratory testing is being scheduled in all the productions phases. The facility will be used for two strictly separated activities, Q-Phase (Quarantine Phase) and the Elite stock of Dümmen. The Q-Phase plant material will be assessed and tested on plant pathogens by use of lab-tests, bio-assays and visual checks. In the Elite stock Dümmen maintain the clean tested genetics to supply the production facilities with secured genetics/plant material.
Frans de Bloois, Phytosanitary Officer, and Elite Manager at Dümmen Orange: “We truly raise the bar on how we handle our products. Authorized staff can only enter the facility after they have showered. The facility is equipped with an overpressure system in order to keep insects and pathogens out. Each plant will be treated as a separate hygiene entity, supported by a unique (rolling) table system. This way of working will strengthen and secure our internal process and also our strong customer relationships by being a trustworthy supplier! ”
Dümmen Orange is a leading company in the breeding and development of cut flowers, bulbs, tropical plants, pot plants, bedding plants and perennials. Its annual turnover is around €360 m. The company employs over 7,700 people worldwide. In addition to a large marketing and sales network, Dümmen Orange has a diversified network of specialized production sites.
