The Rural Voice, 2002-03, Page 25And, like many farmers, Robson
knows there's wonderful new
technology out there to speed up the
business but it's not appropriate to a
smaller operation. The European
greenhouse industry, particularly in
the Netherlands, has seen a huge
growth in technology, partly because
the marketing system gives growers
the stability they need to confidently
invest in expensive technologies.
"You see amazing technology at
trade shows," Robson says. "Again,
it's similar to farming in general. If
the machine can plant 1,000 flats (of
seeds) an hour but you only plant
5,000 flat§ a year, obviously that's a
machine ?fiat's not going to be any
advantage to you."
"We're like a dinosaur — our
methods are relatively old," he says.
But the small -volume grower
can have a competitive
advantage — customer
service. While a small greenhouse
operation may not be able to take
advantage of labour -cutting machines
in mass production of plants, it can
offer more variety. So while a large-
scale grower may have one red
variety of petunias, one white and
one pink — say five or 10 varieties in
all — Robson has 25 varieties.
"Because you are in constant close
contact with your customer you can
adjust more quickly. Besides," he
says, "people like to buy from the
person who grows the plant."
Well, he admits, some don't. They
just want the cheapest petunias they
can find and they'll go to Walmart or
Canadian Tire. "But there are enough
who care that it fits our business."
In fact Robson says losing those
price -conscious customers to the
discount stores has been an
advantage in a way. That type of
customer would argue over the price
of a bag of manure, wondering why it
was a dollar more from the small
retailer, he remembers.
"We have customers (now) who
want what you can't get at Walmart."
They're people who care about
service and selection, he says. "The
advantage is we can serve our
customer better. There aren't as
many unrealistic expectations."
"You are able to develop a
relationship with your customers. It's
a give and take situation."
Being in a convenient centre for a
get
facts
Give us a call,
and discover why
we're Canada's
#1 Selling
STAINLESS STEEL
Outdoor Wood
Burning Furnace
1,800-161-0531
csA
& ul
araoWS1
CEA
CaN (519) 228-2136 • www, Ilsylwatq.a
SFA/111? 0 R
MANUFACTURII6 OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACES i610E 1983
2002
LOOK
FORWARD
New Approaches
New Technology
New Day
John Deere Day 2002 is the perfect opportunity to
see and learn about new techniques and the latest
technology.
So bring the whole family, rub elbows with people in
the business and community, and take a look
forward at the future of agriculture. Make plans to
attend today.
March 20th, 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Ivan J.H. Carmichael
Chatsworth -- 519-794-2480
JOHN DEERE
MARCH 2002 21