At many glasshouse horticultural companies cultivation changes are imminent again. "One of these days the circus will start again" Jan van Nieuwkoop tells. " At the moment we are busy with the last preparations and the maintenance of our machinery, so that during the coming months we will be able to work a large number of hectares quickly, efficiently and safely."
Jan van Nieuwkoop and Garben van Velden
Loonbedrijf J.P. van Nieuwkoop has an established name in the meantime, where working at horticultural companies is concerned. "Horticulture is our core business" Garben van Velden tells. Garben, after the take-over of Modderkolk by Van Nieuwkoop, has been working for the contractor from Haastrecht. "In addition to working, cutting and removing of leaves and rockwool we also supply services in other sectors. We are also busy with all kinds of soil work, also in horticulture. One could for instance think of levelling work and building of basins."
The Greeneater can work both sides of the concrete path at the same
time. The machine is remotely controlled by the man at right.
"The area we work grows steadily each year" Jan van Nieuwkoop adds. "Not only in the Netherlands. We are more and more abroad with one of our machines. In this way we have a few hectare in England, Spain, Switzerland, but we are also more often in Italy. However, we stick to the principle that the Dutch horticulturists never should be inconvenienced in their planning. They will always still be treated first of course!"
"The area we work grows steadily each year" Jan van Nieuwkoop adds. "Not only in the Netherlands. We are more and more abroad with one of our machines. In this way we have a few hectare in England, Spain, Switzerland, but we are also more often in Italy. However, we stick to the principle that the Dutch horticulturists never should be inconvenienced in their planning. They will always still be treated first of course!"
The machines of Van Nieuwkoop are five cutters, specially developed for horticulture. Jan tells: "The machines have been optimised and are maintained by ourselves. We have two single cutters and three machines with a double input. With this we work on both sides of the concrete path and with one hectare per hour this is rather quick. When speed is really required we can even work 16,000 metre per hour, but because of safety considerations we prefer a lower speed. Since recently we also have a new cutter, which has been specially developed to work in glasshouses, where cultivation gutters are at a difficult height. This machine has a smaller input and the gutters are no longer in the way."
In addition to cutters Van Niewkoop also have the necessary shovels to remove the cut leaves. "And we also have a fleet of vans to move the entire circus and to transport sufficient cloth there and back." Garben adds that companies can also buy their own cloths. "As we have a high volume of buying we are in a position to supply cloths at a favourable price. Thanks to the large machine park we are very flexible. Removal of worries of the grower is during this period of the utmost importance. The cultivation change does not have to be hectic, it can always be done calmer and more controlled than often thought!"
For more information:
J.P. van Nieuwkoop Gouda B.V.
172a, Goudseweg
2851 EX Haastrecht
Tel: 0182-528200
Fax.: 0182-581781
[email protected]
www.loonbedrijf-vannieuwkoop.nl