Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker).

As we provide the news for free, we are relying on revenues from our banners. So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.
Thanks!

Click here for a guide on disabling your adblocker.

Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

Netherlands: Opening Delphy Innovative Soft Fruit Centre (ISFC),

Jacco van der Wekken spoke at the official opening of the Delphy Innovative Soft Fruit Centre on behalf of the host in front of over a hundred attendees. Among them also the wife of Willem van Eldik. The famous Delphy man died unexpectedly last April. Willem was closely involved in the establishment of the Delphy Innovate Soft Fruit Centre.
Jacco van der Wekken spoke at the official opening of the Delphy Innovative Soft Fruit Centre on behalf of the host in front of over a hundred attendees. Among them also the wife of Willem van Eldik. The famous Delphy man died unexpectedly last April. Willem was closely involved in the establishment of the Delphy Innovate Soft Fruit Centre.
Professor Paul Iske was invited as guest speaker. He works at the universities of Maastricht and Stellenbosch and founder of the Institute for Brilliant Failures. He called on everyone to make mistakes, to learn from them and therefore wished Delphy above all many brilliant failures in the new research center.
Professor Paul Iske was invited as guest speaker. He works at the universities of Maastricht and Stellenbosch and founder of the Institute for Brilliant Failures. He called on everyone to make mistakes, to learn from them and therefore wished Delphy above all many brilliant failures in the new research center.
Marcel Dings took the audience along on the creation of the Berry Brilliant Foundation. The foundation was established to promote soft fruit and to develop the area near exit 10 along the A73. Strawberry Land has been situated at exit 10 for more than 20 years now. That theme park threatened to stop in 2018 and Berry Briljant put a stop to this. With success, because Aardbeienland has been revived, on the site next to the theme park there is now the Delphy ISFC and in corona time many consumers visited the now famous Strawberry Drive-Inn.
Marcel Dings took the audience along on the creation of the Berry Brilliant Foundation. The foundation was established to promote soft fruit and to develop the area near exit 10 along the A73. Strawberry Land has been situated at exit 10 for more than 20 years now. That theme park threatened to stop in 2018 and Berry Briljant put a stop to this. With success, because Aardbeienland has been revived, on the site next to the theme park there is now the Delphy ISFC and in corona time many consumers visited the now famous Strawberry Drive-Inn.
Bart Jongenelen, as manager of the Innovative Soft Fruit Centre, told more about the building process. After what has been a very intensive period for Bart and his team, he joked right at the start of his presentation that he wanted to keep it short because he was ready for a drink. Nevertheless, he then took the audience on a detailed tour of first the search for a suitable location and then the construction. He thanked Aad van den Berg, among others, because unlike many Delphy consultants he did know how to build such a high-tech cultivation complex. All the construction partners and innovation partners of ISFC were also thanked. Delphy hopes that partners, also from outside the supply chain, will join soon.
Bart Jongenelen, as manager of the Innovative Soft Fruit Centre, told more about the building process. After what has been a very intensive period for Bart and his team, he joked right at the start of his presentation that he wanted to keep it short because he was ready for a drink. Nevertheless, he then took the audience on a detailed tour of first the search for a suitable location and then the construction. He thanked Aad van den Berg, among others, because unlike many Delphy consultants he did know how to build such a high-tech cultivation complex. All the construction partners and innovation partners of ISFC were also thanked. Delphy hopes that partners, also from outside the supply chain, will join soon.
Then, with a push of a button, Ad van Laarhoven from Delphy (he has been working for Delphy for 25 years this year) and alderman Rudy Tegels from the municipality of Horst aan de Maas opened the ISFC.
Then, with a push of a button, Ad van Laarhoven from Delphy (he has been working for Delphy for 25 years this year) and alderman Rudy Tegels from the municipality of Horst aan de Maas opened the ISFC.
The more than one hundred people present in the hall were then festively buried under confetti.
The more than one hundred people present in the hall were then festively buried under confetti.
After that it was time to check out the facilities and have a drink. Fortunately this was possible in the ISFC and in a nearby tent, as it was raining heavily outside. Just like the day before. The basin was therefore well filled, but the 40 millimeters of rain the day before the official opening was a bit too much. A submersible pump and hard work by all Delphy team members, however, had prevented the very heavy rain from falling on Thursday.
After that it was time to check out the facilities and have a drink. Fortunately this was possible in the ISFC and in a nearby tent, as it was raining heavily outside. Just like the day before. The basin was therefore well filled, but the 40 millimeters of rain the day before the official opening was a bit too much. A submersible pump and hard work by all Delphy team members, however, had prevented the very heavy rain from falling on Thursday.
In total, the ISFC consists of 3000 square meters of greenhouse, 1000 square meters of racks, 1000 square meters of rain covers and 1000 square meters of tray field.
In total, the ISFC consists of 3000 square meters of greenhouse, 1000 square meters of racks, 1000 square meters of rain covers and 1000 square meters of tray field.
Kay Rauwerdink and Erik Stappers of Signify
Kay Rauwerdink and Erik Stappers of Signify
The first trials outside had already been started.
The first trials outside had already been started.
At times, a lot of water splashed down under the rain covers.
At times, a lot of water splashed down under the rain covers.
Delphy conducts research in the ISFC on all types of soft fruits. Strawberry is the largest group, but research is also being done in raspberry and blackberry.
Delphy conducts research in the ISFC on all types of soft fruits. Strawberry is the largest group, but research is also being done in raspberry and blackberry.
The sweater in the top of the picture symbolizes the large amount of work Delphy put in lately to get the ISFC ready in time for the official opening.
The sweater in the top of the picture symbolizes the large amount of work Delphy put in lately to get the ISFC ready in time for the official opening.
The hives of Imkerij Coremans were already in full operation.
The hives of Imkerij Coremans were already in full operation.
The first strawberry plants could be seen on 1000 square meters of racks.
The first strawberry plants could be seen on 1000 square meters of racks.
Those present were also able to take a look at the technical area.
Those present were also able to take a look at the technical area.
The first trials were also already underway inside.
The first trials were also already underway inside.
The plants are in pots on gutters.
The plants are in pots on gutters.
The animals were also already present.
The animals were also already present.
Willem-Jan de Kort (Haifa), Gert Voeten (Delphy) and Arjan van Leest (Jiffy)
Willem-Jan de Kort (Haifa), Gert Voeten (Delphy) and Arjan van Leest (Jiffy)
Alwin Scholten of PlantoSys and Marcel Dings (Berry Briljant/Brookberries)
Alwin Scholten of PlantoSys and Marcel Dings (Berry Briljant/Brookberries)
Ton Habraken of Ludvig Svensson came across his Luxous screens in the ISFC. Currently one screen is still hanging in the greenhouse compartments. Depending on the type of trials, more will follow.
Ton Habraken of Ludvig Svensson came across his Luxous screens in the ISFC. Currently one screen is still hanging in the greenhouse compartments. Depending on the type of trials, more will follow.
Not all greenhouse compartments were already in production.
Not all greenhouse compartments were already in production.
The bottom layer of glass in the greenhouse is opaque. That way, trials can remain "secret" if needed. So who knows what tests will follow in this currently empty greenhouse compartment.
The bottom layer of glass in the greenhouse is opaque. That way, trials can remain "secret" if needed. So who knows what tests will follow in this currently empty greenhouse compartment.
Lighting will also be used in the ISFC. At the moment there are only LED bulbs, but the intention is that more lighting will follow.
Lighting will also be used in the ISFC. At the moment there are only LED bulbs, but the intention is that more lighting will follow.
Jan and Birgitte van den Elzen of Strawberry Drive-in J&B in Uden supplied strawberry puffs and smoothies for all visitors.
Jan and Birgitte van den Elzen of Strawberry Drive-in J&B in Uden supplied strawberry puffs and smoothies for all visitors.
Jurnjan van den Bremer (MJ-Tech)
Jurnjan van den Bremer (MJ-Tech)
Leo Lansbergen (Fluence) and Remco van Endschot (Delphy)
Leo Lansbergen (Fluence) and Remco van Endschot (Delphy)
The strawberries are in 1-meter tubs from Bato.
The strawberries are in 1-meter tubs from Bato.
Guido Roozemond and Ellen Klein (Koppert Biological Systems)
Guido Roozemond and Ellen Klein (Koppert Biological Systems)
Fresh hoses for watering.
Fresh hoses for watering.
For pollinators in the greenhouse, it was drier inside than outside.
For pollinators in the greenhouse, it was drier inside than outside.
Delphy still has to make choices about the necessary additional technical equipment in the greenhouse, but some details have already been taken care of. Like here a sulfur evaporator.
Delphy still has to make choices about the necessary additional technical equipment in the greenhouse, but some details have already been taken care of. Like here a sulfur evaporator.
Mario Coremans of Imkerij Coremans was told by Bart Jongenelen of Delphy that the day before the official opening there was so much water (40 millimeters) that it was all hands on deck. The snow in February was also 'challenging', especially because the glass was not yet on the deck.
Mario Coremans of Imkerij Coremans was told by Bart Jongenelen of Delphy that the day before the official opening there was so much water (40 millimeters) that it was all hands on deck. The snow in February was also 'challenging', especially because the glass was not yet on the deck.
Bart Verheijen (Kekkilä-BVB) and Bart Joosten (Mertens)
Bart Verheijen (Kekkilä-BVB) and Bart Joosten (Mertens)
Pascal Janzen (Cogas Climate Control) and Ronald Thijssen (Maurice Kassenbouw). Ronald showed that the gutters hang 1.16 meters apart, just like many practical growers. This is important, because Delphy ISFC wants to bridge the gap between research and practice, and connect with the daily practice of growers.
Pascal Janzen (Cogas Climate Control) and Ronald Thijssen (Maurice Kassenbouw). Ronald showed that the gutters hang 1.16 meters apart, just like many practical growers. This is important, because Delphy ISFC wants to bridge the gap between research and practice, and connect with the daily practice of growers.
Stef Lemmen and Peter Lemmen of Lemmen Strawberries from Egchel (host of several Delphy soft fruit events) flank Arno Hellemons of Biobest.
Stef Lemmen and Peter Lemmen of Lemmen Strawberries from Egchel (host of several Delphy soft fruit events) flank Arno Hellemons of Biobest.
Strawberry beer was of course an essential ingredient in the drinks.
Strawberry beer was of course an essential ingredient in the drinks.
Guest speaker Paul Iske revealed earlier in the afternoon that the sun shines 40% more often on photos on Facebook than in real life. A stubborn cloud over Horst prevented this sunny picture in this case.
Guest speaker Paul Iske revealed earlier in the afternoon that the sun shines 40% more often on photos on Facebook than in real life. A stubborn cloud over Horst prevented this sunny picture in this case.
But with a box full of red berries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and of course strawberries, each visitor took home summer and sunshine. All this courtesy of Fruit Masters, also one of Delphy ISFC's innovation partners.
But with a box full of red berries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and of course strawberries, each visitor took home summer and sunshine. All this courtesy of Fruit Masters, also one of Delphy ISFC's innovation partners.