On 24 april 2012 Alcomij B.V. from 's-Gravenzande, the Netherlands, took over the branch partner Alkupro BV. from Maasdijk.Alkupro is a supplier of aluminium glasshouse cover systems for the glasshouse horticultural sector and since 2008 is part of the V&V organisation. Alcomij is a many sided supplier of steel glasshouse constructions, aluminium covers and front systems, aluminium rolling containers and auction carts. With about 100 employees these products are manufactured following the specification of the client on a project basis. An important part of the turnover is realised through export. Within the organisation product innovation and diversification are a real part of the strategy.
The take-over of Alkupro is a result of the fact that the Dutch market for newly-built glasshouses has been decimated from the peak in 2007, when still about 700 HA was built annually to a level of about 100 HA each year from 2009. The general depression in the Dutch glasshouse horticulture is very hard on the supplying industry, because financial institutions no longer provide credit for newly-built projects. These difficult market conditions caused the end of Alkupro. There is talk about accelerated consolidation of the glasshouse building market. Just as in the building sector and in the supply industry for the glasshouse horticulture there has been talk about many take-overs, insolvencies and fusions.
Alcomij has been playing an active role for years already in the consolidation process of the glasshouse building. In 2002 previously Boskon (steel contruction for glasshouses) was taken over and integrated with Alcomij. In 2005 it was the turn of Alcoa Greenhouse Systems (glasshouse cover systems) to be incorporated in the Alcomij organisation. A logical result of this policy is the take-over of Alkupro. The integration of Alkupro with its systems, technologies, machines and employees in Alcomij was very carefully prepared and will be finalized during the coming months in order to continue to offer the familiar products, the service and support to the clients of Alkupro.
Alcomij has been playing an active role for years already in the consolidation process of the glasshouse building. In 2002 previously Boskon (steel contruction for glasshouses) was taken over and integrated with Alcomij. In 2005 it was the turn of Alcoa Greenhouse Systems (glasshouse cover systems) to be incorporated in the Alcomij organisation. A logical result of this policy is the take-over of Alkupro. The integration of Alkupro with its systems, technologies, machines and employees in Alcomij was very carefully prepared and will be finalized during the coming months in order to continue to offer the familiar products, the service and support to the clients of Alkupro.
Because of falling away of the local newly-built market this typical Dutch industry has focussed more and more on export. Historically seen there already was a lot of export in this branch, but since the financial crisis the supply sector has definitely changed direction towards the new developing countries. A new middle class is developing in various areas of the world and they also like a nice tomato or some nice flowers on the table. The product 'glasshouse' will be the answer to this increasing demand, because in a glasshouse climate and process optimising of the growth processes are controlled as much as possible.
Alcomij in cooperation with its clients concentrates on the development of products for these new markets. Alcomij always concentrated on diversification. In addition to supply to glasshouse building Alcomij also develop and produce logistic systems, such as auction carts and cultivation tables. This has led to Alcomij being the main contractor for project '1-kar' of Flora Holland. For Flora Holland all 250,000 auction carts are either rebuilt or built anew to a national exchangeable stacking cart fleet. This strategy of diversification and take-overs supplies Alcomij, from a solid financial base, with the possibility to play a role in the consolidation phase, in which the market now finds itself. More information may be found at www.alcomij.nl.