AVAG member Artechno has recently been granted permission to mention the HortiQ brand on its own website. The Maasdijk-based company has successfully completed the procedure for the HortiQ Certified Quality System (BRL 8001). "We notice that foreign clients keep asking about it," says Remy Verkade, operational process manager of the company, which supplies systems for vertical farming worldwide. This increases the number of HortiQ-certified companies to 34. 
The Certified Quality System is one of HortiQ's two certification programs. Companies that have their general quality policy in order can claim it. At Artechno, obtaining the certificate was not even the primary goal, explains Remy Verkade. "We have grown very fast at Artechno, so the decision was made to redesign the primary process and optimize the internal organization. Obtaining the HortiQ certificate is a nice bonus and confirmation of our approach."
CEO Marco van der Velden emphasizes the importance of this operation: "This certificate is a fine crowning achievement of an intensive process. It stands for the quality of both our organization and our processes. It is a positive signal that underlines what we, as a sector, stand for: quality and innovation. I would urge other companies in the sector to also consider these certification opportunities if they have not already done so. By working together and ensuring quality, we can strengthen each other and show internationally what the Dutch sector stands for. This strengthens our position in the global market and provides a solid basis for further growth."
Artechno is a company with broad expertise and qualified staff, providing innovative solutions for greenhouse horticulture since its establishment in 1988. In recent years, the company has developed into a global specialist in vertical farming: cultivation under conditioned conditions without daylight. These systems are purchased worldwide, with a strong focus on markets in the Middle East, Canada, and the United States. A second key pillar of the company is AquaLeap's water systems, which offer innovative and circular technology for water treatment.
'Strategically chosen focus countries'
The systems can be used not only for salad crops, micro-vegetables, and herbs but also for the propagation of young plants, both vegetables and potted plants. Artechno focuses on strategically chosen focus countries with vertical farming projects, and this approach is paying off. "Our broad orientation and the development of the young plant strategy are showing their success," says operational process manager Remy Verkade. "Besides strong sales in the Middle East, where certification is increasingly a requirement, we are seeing growing interest in other markets such as Hungary and the Netherlands. This demand for certified systems confirms our role as a reliable partner within the industry."
'BRL 8001 mainly focused on primary process'
By opting for BRL 8001 certification, Artechno deliberately focused on optimizing the primary process. "BRL 8001 is mainly focused on the primary process. The certification provides good tools for quality assurance. HortiQ's quality manual, which has all the requirements, has helped enormously. Basically, we recorded what we do and then looked at how we could do things better," explains Verkade.
'Continuous improvement for growth and quality'
Artechno has recently made several improvements in the way projects are secured and coordinated internally. "This mainly involved better alignment of project requirements and ensuring consistent execution. We continue to work continuously on improvements and encourage a culture in which this is central," Verkade said. "The aim is to continue adding value to our customers and the market through this approach."
For more information:
HortiQ
Europa 1
2672 ZX Naaldwijk, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 88 262 66 66
[email protected]
www.hortiq.nl
Artechno Growsystems HQ
Bandijkweg 2
2676 LJ Maasdijk, The Netherlands
Tel: +31174512051
[email protected]
www.artechno-growsystems.com