Nine ornamentals growers, from Canada, China, Colombia, Israel and The Netherlands have reached the finals of the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards (IGOTY) 2018.
On Tuesday 23 January 2018 at the IPM Fairground in Essen, Germany, the industry will come together to celebrate the finalists as the world’s best in ornamental horticultural production.
The finalists are:
- AYURÁ SAS – Colombia
- Holla Roses BV – Ethiopia / The Netherlands
- JUB Holland (Jac. Uittenbogaard & Zonen ) – The Netherlands
- Kwekerij van Wijgerden VOF – The Netherlands
- Saidi-Ronen – Israel
- Ter Laak Orchids – The Netherlands
- Van Belle Nursery Inc. – Canada
- Yunnan Wei Jun Kai Landscaping Engineering Co. Ltd. – China
- Yunnan YinMore Flower Industry Co., Ltd. – China
There are three main categories; Cut flowers & bulbs, Finished Plants & Trees and Young Plants. Bronze, silver and gold will be awarded, where applicable, to each category. Each of the category winners will be judged for the overall award – AIPH International Grower of the Year. There are also two new categories this year, for Sustainability and an Inspiring Business Award.
Carlos Manuel Uribe, Managing Director of Flores El Capiro, IGOTY Winners 2017, said of the event, “It’s a very emotional ceremony and this prize is for our workers! At this award you are surrounded by the biggest and best in the world, so you should be there.”
Young Plants Winner 2017, Poul Graff, Owner of Graff Kristensen, said, “This award is very different from any other award, as it’s given to us by fellow plantsmen, growers and their associations around the world. This is a fantastic honour for our so that they can see that visions and strategy are not just a paper exercise.”
Chair of the IGOTY jury, Tim Edwards of Boningale Nurseries in the UK, said of this year’s entries, “The calibre of this year’s entries has impressed the jury panel once again, and all of the competitors should be proud of the fantastic work they do within the sector.”
The awards take place during the week of IPM Essen in Germany, the world’s leading horticultural trade fair. The evening ceremony includes a drinks reception, gala dinner, live entertainment and provides a great opportunity for international networking.
