METEOR SYSTEMS JOINS AVAG

'To stay on top of the rapid development on the international stage, it is important for us to cooperate more intensively with renowned industry peers. Many have united within the AVAG and that is a great advantage,' says Laura Rastovac, marketing manager of Meteor Systems.

The Breda-based company develops and produces sustainable cultivation systems for various crops, including the latest (vertical) water cultivation techniques. What Meteor Systems is best known for are its cultivation gutter and irrigation systems for growing off the ground and collecting and recirculating excess drain water.

As a former tomato grower, founder Chris Bastiaansen developed the cultivation system that is now in use worldwide. The product range is constantly evolving. It has expanded to include fruit canopies, including growing under solar panels, vertical multi-layer growing and water growing techniques.

Production takes place in Breda, the Netherlands. For international sales, Meteor Systems opened branches in a number of countries: one in Canada back in 2000, one in China in 2019, and Mexico followed in September of this year. From the Central American country, the Latin American market is to be optimally served.

Met each other more often'
Laura: 'We follow the trend in countries where there is increasing demand for sustainable cultivation systems. We are in the Gulf region, in Morocco and in Turkey but also in emerging markets like India and Kazakhstan.' For that reason, we also chose to join AVAG, as the trade association for the greenhouse construction and installation sector. 'Of course, we already met each other more often at trade fairs. Joining has therefore certainly already been a topic of discussion. Together with the AVAG members, Meteor Systems can improve and accelerate the sustainable production of food worldwide. The time to work on this with other entrepreneurs in the sector is now. Especially in the current business climate, we think that connection is important. Also, the possibility of HortiQ certification through AVAG is an excellent way to offer additional security to the market.

AVAG board member Frank Boers new director
Meteor Systems now has 130 employees. Research and development remain high on the agenda, resulting in developments in such areas as growing on water and growing under solar panels. Since September 1st, Meteor Systems has had a new managing director in the person of Frank Boers. He is not only well known in greenhouse horticulture, having come from horticultural supplier BOAL, but has also been affiliated as an AVAG board member for some time.

60th anniversary of AVAG
With the accession of Meteor Systems, AVAG now has 78 member companies. In exactly 60 years, the AVAG has grown from an association for greenhouse builders to a platform for companies active in greenhouse horticulture. They can count on AVAG for support in the areas of innovations, quality, internationalization and labor market. AVAG is the initiator of HortiQ, the independent and objective quality system for greenhouse builders, installation companies and other suppliers to greenhouse horticulture.

Source: AVAG