It might seem strange for a greenhouse construction company, but selling a greenhouse isn't what's most important to the French greenhouse builders of Richel. "The motto of our company is Cultivating Trust. Our vision is to partner with growers and investors and help them realize the best ROI possible for a project. The greenhouse is a tool in this and we help growers to get the best tools possible", Herve Savoure explains. Having been with the company for nearly two decades, he knows the culture of the group by heart and saw how the company has expanded its global activities over the time.
Complete range of greenhouses
Vertical integration is an important aspect for the company, which has always been known for its leadership in the field of plastic greenhouses and multi tunnels, but since the addition of their Venlo division they’ve rapidly gained ground in glass greenhouse structures as well. Their portfolio now includes plastic greenhouses, Venlo greenhouses, equipment for greenhouses and modular shelters. Richel now can not only offer a complete range of greenhouses and equipment, but manufactures many of their projects themselves as well.
Herve notices how, no matter where they are in the world, this is an important benefit to all growers. “Climate circumstances and geographical differences play an important role in the development of the project, and then of course there’s the chosen crop, the level of growing, the demands from the market – not to start speaking of the personal preferences of a grower. In short: growers’ needs worldwide vary, and no two projects are the same”, Herve explains.
"We believe wisely advising a potential client or customer is one of the most important things in being a partner, and the answer is not always to choose for the most expensive options. Thanks to our extensive experience and knowledge we can help a grower, and thanks to our extensive assortment of greenhouses we are always neutral in this. Whether a grower has the need for a strawberry tunnel that comes for 3 euros per square meter or a super high-tech illuminated glass greenhouse that’s a hundred times more expensive – we can offer it. Since we can answer a grower’s needs in all circumstances, we are neutral at any time. To us, it all comes down to the success of the project in the long term. We want to make sure a grower’s investments pay off in the best way possible.”
Globally active
Globally active, Richel has had this customer-focused vision for years and has built their company around it. That’s why the company isn’t just serving growers from their home base in France, but spreads out their people. Herve’s experience is an example of this. "Being close to the customer is important to us: we can listen to the customer better, feel and appreciate what they need. By now we have offices in 18 countries and presence with partners in more than 80 countries; we try to build our projects with local companies as much as possible. We have our own calculation engineers and do not hesitate to add a local engineer when necessary. But in this as well: it all comes down to the wish of the client and the needs in the local market.”
For more information:
Richel Group
ZA des Grandes Terres
13810 Eygalières
France
T: +33 (0)4 90 95 14 68
F: +33 (0)4 90 95 12 93
www.richel.fr