WPS News

To track the performance of your logistics system, to be able to control on input and output, but also to be able to determine per employee whether they process enough plants: the SmartFlo Count measures this.

Ammerlaan-Sosef is a modern potted plant nursery in the heart of horticultural area the Westland. Ammerlaan-Sosef was founded in 1999 after Ard Ammerlaan started working together with son Jeffrey and employee Gertjan Sosef. After Ard’s original crops, pot chrysanthemums and Celosia Caracas, which he had been producing for years, Ammerlaan-Sosef now has an annual program with Primula Sweet Kisses, Cyclamen and Celosia 'Deep Purple' Caracas and a few other Celosias, including the new varieties Javalin and Vintage.
Ammerlaan-Sosef was the winner of the Dutch Flower Award 2018.
At the Sprongenloet nursery in Honselersdijk, Ammerlaan Sosef grows 6 varieties of Celosia and 13 colors of Primula. In order to further improve logistics in this nursery, they have chosen again for the WPS’ SmartFlo automated transport system.

Crossing
The SmartFlo Crossover, a conveyor belt with a mobile frame, will be used to connect the main and bay belts. Furthermore, extendable parts in the conveyor belt, the SmartFlo Extension tm, will be used to cross the main isle,
Innovation
Ammerlaan Sosef is also one of the first to use the new SmartFlo Count, a flexible counter that allows customers to wirelessly keep track of efficiencies during plant movements in the greenhouse.

Collaboration
WPS and Ammerlaan-Sosef have been working together for several years. With this new deal, the collaboration between the two companies is further confirmed.

Kooij Nertera has implemented a new WPS Plant Order System (POS). One remarkable feature is that the various components (plant feed, photo imaging unit and plant buffer) can be moved, so that space can be freed up when needed. The underlying principle for the mobile POS is that it provides flexibility and convenience. Further it reduces labor and makes work easier for employees.

Kooij Nertera from Ens (NL) grows Nertera Granadenis. Kooij Nertera Natural is the only producer of Nertera Granadensis Astrid® worldwide. Growing these plant to produce berries is a unique process. They propagate this unique plant in various colors and pot sizes. Pot size 8 was extensively tested first by WPS to see if it could be processed by the system.
The POS evaluates and sorts the plant by:
- Height
- Flowering phase (number of colored buds compared to green leaves),
- Plant diameter

"So better working conditions, peace of mind in the delivery process and accurate sorting, all thanks to the WPS mobile plant order system."

Henk Kooij, owner, explains his choice: "We were looking for a system that would ease the work for us in preparing our plants for auction and would bring more flow in the delivery process.
Normally we were used to picking up and sorting in the greenhouse directly from the concrete floors.
Now we bring the plants to the system and sort them, make stock of sorted plants, so during the day when orders come in we can efficiently pick these orders from this buffer.
So better working conditions, peace of mind in the delivery process and accurate sorting, all thanks to the WPS mobile plant order system. The system was timely delivered according specifications and contract.
Jan Moekestorm, WPS project leader: "We are pleased and proud that we were able to realize this wonderful project for Kooij Nertera and that the cooperation went so well. We wish Kooij Nertera lots of success with our system and we hope to be of service to them again.

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