Last April, breeding station De Groot en Slot was still located in an old building in Broek op Langedijk, the Netherlands. A completely new breeding centre was officially opened at the same place yesterday.
After celebrating its 60-year anniversary in 2015, another milestone followed in 2016. On 27 September the new breeding centre was opened. There was not much time for construction, the old building was demolished at the beginning of April, and the foundation stone was laid on 28 April. A lot of hard work was therefore done during the summer. With its new and modern facilities, De Groot en Slot created a good point of departure for itself to continue developing successful onion and shallot strains in coming years.
De Groot en Slot focuses globally on expertly breeding only onions and shallots. Paying this much attention, having a good knowledge network and having an excellent facility is a prerequisite for success. Not just in the short, but especially in the long run, for creating a successful new strain takes at least 10 to 15 years.
Please click here for an impression of the demolition and construction work.
The new building therefore fits seamlessly into the strategy of De Groot en Slot. Breeding material that comes from trial sections all over the world will be stored in the new breeding centre in Broek op Langedijk. For this, 40 drying walls will be available, which can individually and fully automatically ensure the product is conditioned. After drying and storing, the products are further processed and assessed. For this, a large new demonstration room will be used. There is more space for research in the new breeding centre. Drying and storage tests can be performed, but also innovations in the field of resistance to diseases.
Upon building the breeding centre, logistical and efficiency improvements were implemented, and corporate social responsibility was taken into account. A large part of the energy is already being generated by solar panels, and all rooms have been provided with LED fittings, taking into account the high specific light conditions required for the various processes. The processing rooms are also provided with windows, skylights and new extraction systems, allowing employees to perform duties under ideal circumstances.
With the new breeding centre, De Groot en Slot is ready for the future, for which they will hold to the company’s important starting points:
- Attention for and focus on innovation and R&D;
- Intensive collaboration with partners in the chain;
- Offering a wide range, from north to south pole;
- Expert cultivation advice and supervision.
Source: De Groot en Slot