Renewing a pepper growing system on a tight deadline

Danny van der Spek started growing paprika in a 5-hectare greenhouse in Bergschenhoek in 2000. Eight years later he added another 4 hectares, and in 2019 he bought an adjacent 2.5-hectare greenhouse.

"Gerberas were grown under lighting in this greenhouse. I didn't want to grow paprika under lights, so we converted the greenhouse for strawberry cultivation. Meteor Systems supplied the growing gutter system for that, and it went entirely to our satisfaction," says Danny van der Spek.

Complete solution

In 2025 the first 5-hectare paprika greenhouse needed a refurbishment. "New ground cover had to go in, so the heating pipes and supports had to come out regardless. Given the age of the growing system, we renewed it completely as well, so we're set for years to come. We chose Meteor Systems because the price-quality ratio is right and they offer a complete solution, including the irrigation system."

After removing the old pipe rail supports and growing gutters, we rolled 30 kilometres of GM-07 growing gutter on site with the mobile roll-forming machine. "We're currently growing on rockwool, but with these gutters we can also switch to organic substrate if needed."

Downtime is not an option

Meteor Systems also took care of disposing of the old growing gutters. "So we didn't have to arrange that ourselves, and the work was scheduled tightly, one phase after the next. It was sometimes quite tense, but every agreement and deadline was met. You've already ordered the new plants, so downtime is not an option."