Anthura BV, the Netherlands has been awarded the accolade of International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) 2020 by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).
Anthura won the coveted ‘Gold Rose’ award, presented by Royal FloraHolland CEO, Steven van Schilfgaarde, at the AIPH IGOTY Awards on Tuesday 28 January 2020 at IPM Essen, Germany. The International Grower of the Year event is now in its 11th year, and it is an annual celebration of excellence and best practice in ornamentals production.
Anthura were also awarded Gold in the ‘Young Plants’ category, presented by jury member Jan-Dieter Bruns, and it won Gold again in the ‘Sustainability’ category, bestowed by Sven Hoping of Pöppelmann.
Significant recognition
After winning the Young Plant Gold award, Marco van Herk, Commercial Director, at Anthura, says: “Winning International Grower of the Year, is a significant recognition. In horticulture, it means a lot.”
Anthura’s Director, Iwan van der Knaap, added: “We are very proud. Together we can make the whole world more beautiful and sustainable.”
This year’s overall winner Anthura is known as a worldwide specialist in anthuriums and orchids. As a breeder and propagator, this organisation is continually working to develop new techniques, stimulate entrepreneurship and make the process chain more sustainable.
Anthura reached a unique milestone for horticulture when its research and development department sequenced and mapped the DNA of orchids and Anthuriums. The company has since invested in infrastructure, technology and people to translate this breakthrough into more sustainable production of anthuriums and orchids.
The AIPH IGOTY Jury is a panel of six internationally renowned horticulture experts chaired by AIPH Vice-President Tim Edwards. The following comment summarises the judges’ review of this year’s winner: “Anthura is a role model for all of us. They have managed to be the leader within the entire palette; Innovation, R&D, New Tech, Sales & marketing, environment and HR.”
Other IGOTY 2020 category winners were:
Young Plants
Gold: Anthura, the Netherlands
Silver: Kernock Park Plants Ltd, UK
Bronze: Danziger Guatemala, Israel
Finished Plants & Tree
Gold: Hangzhou Huazhiyun Agricultural Investment Co Ltd, China
Silver: Miao Fu Holdings Co Ltd, China
Bronze: LVG Plants (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Cut Flowers & Bulbs
Gold: Hasfarm Holdings, Hong Kong, China
Silver: BellaRosa, Ecuador
Bronze: Oserian Development Company Ltd, Kenya
Sustainability
Gold: Anthura, the Netherlands
Silver: Citrina, the Netherlands
Bronze: LVG Plants (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
