The modern tree nursery faces a number of challenges. The availability of labour is decreasing, cost pressures are rising, and market demands are increasing. To make their business future-proof, growers need to organise their processes more efficiently. Mechanisation plays a key role in this. The machine room, which consists of processing, potting, and transport lines, is increasingly becoming the heart of the tree nursery.

Mechanisation makes it possible to automate a large part of the work. However, this requires careful alignment of technology and business operations. How does the grower ensure they maintain control, even when machines take over a larger portion of the work?

The answer lies in managing the machines well and continually adjusting the technology to meet the specific needs of the business. Growers who develop their own machines, like Leuveld, can respond more quickly to these changes and thus retain control over their processes. At Leuveld Boomkwekerijen, mechanisation is used to improve production processes and reduce labour costs. Leuveld has its own mechanisation company (KOBO), which enables the nursery to develop machines specifically tailored to their needs. An example of this is the cutting and inserting robot, which can cut or insert in three rows of plants simultaneously. The robot reduces work pressure and increases product uniformity.

Ronald Brand, Sales and Office Manager at Leuveld, explains: “Where previously three people would be cutting and trimming, now only one person operates the machine. This not only makes the work more efficient but also ensures that the grower can continue to align with the operational needs of their business.”

HETO: innovations for the tree nursery industry

In addition to Leuveld, HETO plays an important role in the mechanisation of the nursery stock industry. HETO offers a wide range of machines that can increase efficiency in nurseries. The machines not only help to increase productivity but also offer the opportunity to streamline processes, reducing work pressure. Machines such as the wide potting fork and tray filling line make potting and filling trays much faster. The wide potting fork can place up to 800 to 900 pots simultaneously at equal distances, significantly speeding up the potting process. The tray filling line offers an efficient way to fill trays with potting soil and create planting holes, largely automating manual labour.

These innovations ease the work pressure, but the question remains: how does the grower maintain control over the process when a large part of the work is done by machines? HETO also offers delivery buffer belts and refurbished buffer systems, which facilitate the movement of pots and improve logistical processes in nurseries. These machines are mobile and can be used at different locations within the nursery, increasing flexibility. However, control remains with the grower, who must adjust and monitor the machines to ensure they are used correctly and continue to meet production needs.

The human side: the (future) grower as manager and planner

While mechanisation reduces the physical work pressure, the human factor remains essential. The modern grower must retain control by acting as a manager and planner. Whereas the focus used to be on manual labour, it is now shifting to efficiently managing machines and processes. This means that the grower must increasingly think about how technology can be used to keep the business running while ensuring quality and efficiency.

At Leuveld Boomkwekerijen, the collaboration between the technical department and the nursery staff plays an important role. The company develops its machines in close collaboration with the people who actually use the machines. This ensures that the technology stays perfectly aligned with daily operations, so the grower can not only benefit from efficiency but also maintain control over quality and production outcomes. With the increasing mechanisation in the nursery stock industry, the question arises about how the future grower will be prepared.

The vocational education programme ‘Cultivation and Technology: Specialisation in Tree Nursery’ from Yuverta addresses this development by preparing students for a more strategic role. The programme focuses not only on the technical aspects of cultivation, crop protection, logistics, and sales, but also on general subjects like economics, ICT, and career guidance, giving students a broad foundation for their future career. In addition, there is a lot of attention for the use of modern machines and management skills. Claudia Chi, Director of Yuverta Lifelong Development (LLO), says: “The programme is starting for the fourth time now. A new addition this year is that we offer leadership training at level 4, which is important for the career progression of employees.”This approach supports growers in their transition to a role where they are not only technically skilled but also able to retain control over their nursery in an increasingly technical environment.

Looking ahead: investments for the future

The question every grower asks themselves is: what investments are needed to keep up in the next 5 to 10 years? The progress in mechanisation, such as Leuveld’s cutting and inserting robot and HETO’s machines, shows that it’s not just about the machines themselves, but also how these machines can improve work processes. Investing in advanced machines means investing in a more efficient and sustainable business. Leuveld has already developed several machines that are now not only used in their own nursery but are also supplied to other nurseries. This makes the tree nursery less dependent on external suppliers and helps the industry progress.

HETO is also looking ahead and continues to work on new technologies that can further improve mechanisation in the industry. Their machines are designed to increase productivity and improve working conditions, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. However, it is important that the grower retains control so that the technology can be used optimally.

The voice of the grower

Many growers have now realised that mechanisation is no longer a luxury but a necessary step to keep their business future-proof. In conversations with growers who already use mechanisation, such as Leuveld’s and HETO’s machines, it shows that they consider these technologies to be important tools for a more efficient business. “The machines don’t take over the work, but they make the work easier and more efficient,” says a grower from Zundert. The key to success lies in maintaining control. Growers must not only rely on the technology but also ensure that they maintain control over the processes that are essential for the success of their business.