Page 29 - AWA Vol.41-No.8

HORTICULTURE

First ever customer of a Ridder climate screen switches

after ten years to... Ridder

In 2015, a new manufacturer of climate screens en- ly,” says Geert. “Mainly due to energy use. In spring, we
tered the market: Ridder. It wasn’t an illogical move. always use an OPAC film in addition. That’s because we
Until then, hundreds of screen installations had already start late, we only plant in the second or third week of
been operating with Ridder-brand motors. But it was January. When you start late, you need a higher average
a bold move too, entering a market dominated by just day temperature in the greenhouse. You can’t achieve
two major players. Ten years later, Ridder has become that with just a screen. In autumn, we use the screen the
one of those “big” names, offering a complete range of most.”
screens. All produced in Maasdijk, working closely with
suppliers and partners abroad. But who was the very The same screen stays
first customer? Jordi is now responsible for screening, and for choos-
“That was us,” says Geert van Rens, who in 2015 in- ing a new fabric, possibly even a new supplier. “But our
stalled 6 hectares of RES10 FR screen fabric. At their trust in Ridder has never been disappointed,” he says
tomato nursery in Meterik, Van Rens cultivates medium about the decision to go with the Westland-based manu-
truss tomatoes of the Bronski variety. Under the brand facturer again. Ridder is no longer the newcomer it once
name “Enjoy,” these tomatoes are distributed to buyers was. In ten years, the company has significantly expand-
through Staay Food Group, a fruit and vegetable whole- ed its product range and customer base. Today, Ridder
saler. The family business already had experience with screens cover roughly 10,000 hectares of greenhouses
screens, but not with Ridder. “No, but of course we al- worldwide, all manufactured in Maasdijk since 2015.
ready knew Ridder from the motors for screening and
ventilation. The contact came through Maurice Kassen- Up to 47 percent energy savings
bouw, a trusted partner for us. Maurice had confidence After ten years, the RES10 FR remains a cornerstone in
in Ridder, and at that time there was also some price Ridder’s range. There has never been a reason to change
pressure in the screen market.” the “Ridder Original,” the company explains. The Rid-
“It has to end at some point” der Energy Saving Screen can significantly reduce en-
Coincidentally, this autumn Van Rens plans to replace ergy consumption, while maintaining a consistent grow-
the screen. Ten years is now a respectable age for a ing climate and optimal temperature distribution. Light
screen fabric. Many growers choose to replace their fab- interception is minimal, as the fabric folds neatly. Other
ric every five years. “Indeed, after ten years you notice advantages include its flame-retardant properties and
the light transmission decreases a bit. But in terms of UV resistance. Jordi concludes: “We’re very satisfied
quality and moisture permeability, it’s still an excellent with this screen. There’s really no reason
screen for us,” says Jordi van Rens, who took over man-
agement from his father after two and a half years. Geert for us to switch. There’s also the RES10+ FR, the newer
agrees that the Ridder screen could use an upgrade. type, which lets through slightly less moisture because
“Slowly but surely, small holes start to appear in the fab- it uses 5 mm film instead of 4 mm. That means less yarn,
ric. It’s getting dirtier, and here and there a bit stiffer. It resulting in lower moisture permeability and extra en-
has to end at some point.” ergy savings. For tomato cultivation, though, the RES10
A changed cultivation strategy FR remains the better option. But of course, growing will
The fabric may be the same, but the cultivation strategy be a bit different again with a completely new screen.”
at Dwarsweg in Meterik has changed. “Quite drastical- Circle 28 on enquiry card
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