U Grand: A doubling of chrysanthemum talents and screens

OCTOBER 2022

U Grand is a prestigious collaboration in greenhouse horticulture between two forward-thinking family businesses – MG Grand and Van Uffelen Flowers. A plot that interested both companies ultimately brought these chrysanthemum growers together. After all, why invest alone when you can do it together? The result: 10 hectares of chrysanthemums in a modern greenhouse equipped with double Svensson climate screens.

Jeffrey van Uffelen explains how he and his new business partner, Michel Grootscholten, selected their screens: the Obscura 10070 FR WB+BW and the Luxous 1547 D FR models. Installation was carried out by El Flaco, while greenhouse construction was handled by Technokas. Svensson climate adviser Hugo Plaisier supported the decision-making process around choosing the double screen combination.

Both growers are members of the grower association Zentoo, which in summer 2020 informed them about an interesting plot in the Westland region. Michel and Jeffrey were both interested — and that marked the start of a successful collaboration. Before the end of that year, demolition of the old greenhouses began. In spring the transfer was completed, and by summer 2021 the new greenhouse was fully operational.

Nothing left to chance

Despite the fast construction process, nothing was left to chance. Every technical choice was weighed carefully: insect netting, air-handling units, diffuse glass, hybrid lighting, harvest belts, cogeneration units, an OCAP connection and, crucially, double climate screens. Technokas built the greenhouse and El Flaco installed the screens, with Svensson adviser Hugo Plaisier providing guidance.

Technique and experience decisive

“We did thorough research and compared several screens. I personally didn’t have experience with Svensson screens, but Michel did. And of course Svensson is a well-known name in the market,” Jeffrey says. He emphasises that the technology and experience behind the screens were decisive. “You know what the screen will do. The quality is simply good and the risk of shrinkage is very low. We saw the same thing at other growers we visited.” Jeffrey calls the choice of the two screens a “climatologically good choice.”

Unique for chrysanthemums: blackout screen with white underside

One standout decision was to use a blackout screen with a white underside (Obscura 10070 FR WB+BW). This is more common in rose or gerbera production — and as installer Peter van der Valk, with 30 years in the business, confirms, unique in chrysanthemum cultivation. “I saw this once many years ago, but never since. These guys clearly know what they’re doing.”

Jeffrey explains that this choice was about gaining an additional 2–3% light. In chrysanthemums, there is always a concern that light reflects off the façade into a neighbouring compartment that should remain dark. But their facility has growing rounds on both sides of the central corridor, with at least 50 compartments, and almost every day one of them enters a short-day cycle. In practice, light spill is minimal. They also roll up the façade almost to the level of the white screen, reducing the gap and preventing stray light.

Energy saving

The second screen is the Luxous 1547 D FR, selected for its high light transmission, energy savings and flame-retardant material. These were exactly the characteristics U Grand wanted. “We knew early on that we wanted this screen,” Jeffrey says. “We could have chosen the ‘11’ for more transparency, or the ‘20’ if we wanted a more dedicated sun screen — but then we wouldn’t qualify for subsidy. And since we already had diffuse glass, 1547 was the logical choice. With the soon-to-be-installed 100% LED lighting, we expect to benefit even more.”

He concludes: “We’re satisfied with the result. If I had to choose again today, I’d make the same decision.”

20-week installation

El Flaco handled the installation after winning the tender. “The planning was good and everything was completed on time,” Jeffrey says. Installer Peter van der Valk also looks back positively: “Communication was good and clear. We’re the same sort of people: we say what we think and we don’t promise things we can’t deliver.”

The project involved installing screens in 40 compartments. Under normal circumstances, two compartments take around two weeks with a crew of 10–12 people — plus the final façade screens.

Slightly different than usual

Peter explains that the screens were installed without sealing strips: when the screens are open, they are fully open, with no strips visible. El Flaco had used this technique before, and Peter expects it won’t be the last time. “It looks very neat and you get maximum light.” Another distinctive detail: the blackout fabric is placed on the lower runner rather than the upper one, which reduces the space between the screen and the partition wall.

Heading into winter with confidence

The first planting was completed in week 46 of 2021. This year they harvested for the first time. Looking ahead to a cold winter with high energy prices, Jeffrey says: “We’ll keep going. Production will drop a bit — maybe 10 to 15%. For the rest, we wait and see how energy prices and the market develop.”

He adds that he’s glad to be part of Zentoo, especially now. “Zentoo has a clear strategy and a strong customer base. Together we hold up our brand. The market will show what the flowers will fetch.”