Fafard and Nutrite have developed
a new commercial partnership. The arrangement was highlighted at
Fafard’s recent open house, which attracted more than 300 customers.
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| Martin Fafard, Marc Vaillancourt, Martin Bisaillon, and Michel Levesque celebrate the new marketing partnership. |
Closer ties for Fafard and Nutrite
Fafard and Nutrite have developed a new commercial partnership. The arrangement was highlighted at Fafard’s recent open house, which attracted more than 300 customers. Making the announcement were Nutrite’s president Marc Vaillancourt and sales manager Martin Bisaillon, along with Fafard’s president Martin Fafard and sales and marketing vice-president Michel Levesque.
Fafard has become the exclusive distributor of Nutrite’s retail products to garden centres and hardware stores, and also takes on the complete management and development of the Nutrite brand name at the retail level.
“This partnership was a logical move since Nutrite products are known for their quality and have existed for over 50 years, making them an excellent complement to the Fafard natural fertilizers and soils,” said Levesque.
The two companies serve the same customers, who will therefore benefit from ordering and receiving all their products from a single source. In addition, the expertise Fafard has developed over the years in the field of product development and marketing will be reflected “in the evolution we are undertaking with the Nutrite brand,” Levesque added.
This agreement is tailor-made for Fafard’s retail development strategy and its objective of offering customers a complete line of products. More than 50 additional Nutrite brand products are being added to the already broad range of Fafard products presently offered to its customers.
• www.fafard.com
• www.nutrite.com
PEAT HARVEST AT RECORD LOWS
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| Vacuum harvesters are primarily used to harvest peat. PHOTO COURTESY CSPMA |
The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent 95 per cent of the North American peat production, is concerned with the level of harvest for the 2008 season. By the end of August, the Canadian peat harvest was only at 43 per cent and carry-over inventory at 17 per cent. This is a record low of 60 per cent in comparison to the last five-year average of 75 per cent.
Abnormal and persistently wet conditions throughout all Canadian peat harvest regions have impacted the ability of the industry to harvest expected volumes. The area most hard hit is Eastern Canada, with New Brunswick and Québec accounting for 66 per cent of Canadian peat production. The peat industry is committed to working cooperatively with its commercial business partners to minimize the short and long term impacts for the horticulture industry.
• www.peatmoss.com
QPMA recognizes Desrochers as Pillar of the Industry
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| Martin Desrochers receives the Pillar of the Industry award from outgoing QPMA president Bernadette Hamel. |
Martin Desrochers, president and CEO of Groupe HydroSerre, was recently honoured with the 2008 Pillar of the Industry award by the Québec Produce Marketing Association. The award recognizes his involvement not only in the QPMA, but also in the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC).
The award was presented during the 61st annual convention of the Québec Produce Marketing Association.
HydroSerre Mirabel was founded in 1987 with the construction of its first 30,000-square-metre greenhouse, following extensive R&D conducted from 1980 to 1986. Its main focus is lettuce. The Mirabel concept stems from a unique proprietary growing technique that makes it possible to produce 16 to 18 crops a year. Referred to as Floating Raft Growing Technology, this process has garnered worldwide attention. The company now has about 72,850 square metres of greenhouses.
Christian Chouinard (Provigo Inc.) accepted the QPMA presidency for 2008-2009. The board of directors welcomed Michel Galli (Courchesne Larose Ltée), Bernard Cîté (J.B. Laverdure Inc.), Dino Farrese (Bellemont Powell Ltée), Francis Bérubé (Sobeys Inc.) and Robert Beauregard (Metro Richelieu Inc.), all named as directors.
Founded in 1947, the QPMA represents some 500 businesses throughout the food distribution chain. Its mission is to create a favourable environment for the marketing of fresh produce in the province.
PLASTICS RECYCLING BID
Industry-led efforts are underway to divert horticultural plastic in a recycling program stakeholders hope to take national. The goal is to collect trade-generated waste, including pots, trays, tags, pipes and greenhouse poly, as well as garden plastic. Landscape Ontario is currently working to match plastic recyclers with garden centres or others willing to serve as collection points. For more on this project, see “Post-consumer container recycling proposed” on our news web site at www.greenhousecanada.com.
New Products
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Water-cooled LED grow light
The TI-SmartLamp 600 LED Grow Light from Theoreme Innovation is among the most technically advanced LED grow lights on the market. It uses 65 per cent less electricity and produces 65 per cent less heat than HPS lights. Each luminary has a primary lighting coverage area of 4 feet by 4 feet, or 8 feet by 8 feet in secondary lighting. Designed to last 10 to 15 years, Theoreme says it pays for itself in electricity and cooling savings in one to three years. The ballast and reflector are integrated in the unit; no additional parts or replacement bulbs required. The operating voltage is 110V to 250V, 50 Hz to 60 Hz. Power consumption is 300 watts.
• www.theoremeinnovation.com, 514-312-3826
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Ultra Pot an ITML combination
ITML Horticultural Products® (ITML) has created the new Ultra Pot, a combination of the popular DecoStone and Centabella™ lines. The Ultra Pot is textured for a weathered, stone-like appearance. This unique pot has an extra-wide base for stability and a centre drain system for optimum drainage. The design also accommodates drop-in liners. Matching planter support rings fit the pot to aid in the healthy, upright growth of top-heavy plants. The Ultra Pot is available in taupe, sandstone, seafoam green and clay.
ITML Horticultural Products is part of the Myers Industries, Inc., Lawn and Garden Group, which also includes the Dillen Products®, Listo Products, and Pro Cal® brands.
• 800-736-4865, www.itml.com
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Kenworth offers medium-duty hybrids
Kenworth offers the fuel-efficient, hybrid option on its new T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 conventional models and will produce the trucks at the PACCAR plant in Ste-Therese, Que. Kenworth’s goal is to enhance fuel economy by up to 30 per cent in pickup and delivery applications and up to 50 per cent in utility operations. The Kenworth hybrids use an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator; frame-mounted 340-volt, lithium-ion battery pack; and dedicated power management system. Advanced powertrain controls monitor driving conditions and automatically select the ideal power mode, smoothly switching among electric only, combined diesel and electric, and diesel only power modes. Electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine.
• www.kenworth.com
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New Blackmore 50 T Ellepot™ tray
The Blackmore Company’s newest tray for Ellepots™ is a 50 T (10 x 20 inches) count designed to accept 30 mm Ellepots™. The vented tray is specially designed to facilitate removal of Ellepots to speed planting. It also has extra large drain holes, and is ideal for propagation.
• 800-874-8660, trayinfo@blackmoreco.com
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Seeding micro greens
Seed micro greens the E-Z way. This unit can handle up to 4,000 seeds per tray, including arugula, mizuna, tatzoi, mache, chervil, chives, mint and many others. The E-Z seeder is versatile and easy to use. This is a new use for a tried and true product.
• www.sezsdr.com, 800-448-9371
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