Being in the industry for almost half a century, the team at Adapt8 is not to be slowed down at all. This year they are building their own commercial greenhouse, updated the name of the company and the products and worked on establishing one of the largest retail displays of greenhouses in North America.
Solexx
The Oregon based company Adapt8 is known best in horticulture for Solexx, an insulated, flexible plastic greenhouse covering. According to CEO Michelle Moore, it easily turns nearly any structure into a high-performance greenhouse. "Solexx is made from high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), providing optimal diffuse light and significantly lowering energy costs. The material reduces condensation, and protects plants from harsh conditions without shattering, cracking or discoloring", she shows.
The product is used often in the potted plants industry, but currently its presence is expanding both in the cannabis business as well as the vegetable industry. "Our mission is to change the way the world grows food. With our products, such as Solexx, we accelerate both crop growth and profits for growers." To subscribe and carry out this mission, the company recently adjusted its name and brand identity: from Adaptive Plastics to the current Adapt8. "We've chosen the figure 8 in a nod to the infinity symbol to represent our commitment to sustainability, through considering long-term economic, social and environmental impacts."
Michelle Moore
It hasn't been the only news this year. After being awarded an economic development grant from Marion County, the company matched the $50,000 with an additional $200,000 and has plans to build a 2,500-square-foot commercial greenhouse: the Kirtley Greenhouse. "The greenhouse is named after the grandparents of Adapt8’s founders and will be home to product testing, research and development and a community outreach program. The community outreach program will ultimately lead to food production with fresh food contributions to the local food bank." The production, 1,000 pounds of food a year, is to be donated to the Marion-Polk Food Share program.
With the project, Adapt8 will also research how to reduce energy for commercial food and horticulture products by monitoring energy, light and water usage in the greenhouse. In addition, the greenhouse will be used to train sales and marketing staff about new and upcoming products as well as to refine and release patent pending technology.
Adapt8 will also use the grant to establish one of the largest retail displays of greenhouses in North America. Six greenhouses will be constructed at Adapt8 to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs and the company will teach three community classes about growing healthy food. The company will also enhance its location with landscaping and grounds improvements. Lastly, the project will contribute to the growth of the company and the hiring of 10 employees from design engineers and salespeople to manufacturing support and facilities maintenance.
“We are a second-generation, family-owned company and the opportunity to give back and support the community is an important one to us,” said Michelle. “This grant program will give Adapt8 the opportunity to further our mission of changing the way the world grows food in a much more sustainable way.”
For more information:
Adapt8
3740 Brooklake Rd. NE
Salem, OR 97303
1-877-476-5399
[email protected]
adapt8.us