A look back at 2020

This last year through the eyes of director Joep.

A look back at a busy and dynamic 2020. This year, our 30th anniversary year, started with a well-filled order book. Unfortunately, the first lockdown in March caused quite a bit of uncertainty and we had to cancel our anniversary celebration. Fortunately, projects could continue ‘normally’ and new orders continued to come in, but Covid-19 certainly had an effect on our business. Since suppliers could not deliver or could only supply less, we built up extra stock ourselves and double-ordered materials at an early stage, to avoid dependence on external parties.

Gratitude

Colleagues, for whom it was possible, have been working from home as much as possible. Despite the fact that this puts a strain on our mutual bond between colleagues, it has fortunately remained strong. And I would really like to compliment the entire team again on that!

Customers noticed little or nothing of all the negative effects of Covid-19, and project delivery deadlines were almost all met on time. Assembly and start-up on-site was more challenging in some cases, due to the travel restrictions on our technicians. Our colleagues’ commitment and flexibility helped us to still make 2020 a very successful year. Gratitude is the predominating emotion here, especially as anyone who looks back on the past year will realize that this could not be taken for granted.

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Highlights of 2020

Last year we realized a number of large and really great developments, and I would like to highlight a few here:

  • We reached national and international media because a laboratory study showed that our method ensures successful removal of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) from tomato-picking crates.
  • An outstandingly intensive, but successful development took place in Dry Hydroponics rafts. This makes it possible to properly clean rafts with heavy soiling, in situations where intensive filtering is important. This has led to the first four orders (in the Netherlands and America), and this development will continue in the coming year, and it will be marketed even more widely.
  • We have been able to supply various foam units in Germany and the Netherlands, in which Menno Florades is foamed, and excess foam is reused. The successful collaboration with Menno Chemie Vertrieb is thus further intensified.
  • Our team of passionate people has grown, because we have even welcomed a few new colleagues to join us this year. And we would like to continue this growth in 2021!
  • We welcomed a new reseller in Australia: Matman Australia, which is a spin-off company of Matman New Zealand.
  • In collaboration with BÈTA Industrie BV, we have gained a lot of experience with the use of vibrating filters. Five units have already been put into operation, and they have eliminated the need for paper belt filters.
  • We were awarded various grants, which gives us the opportunity to support and improve our current developments. These were particularly welcome awards to help us in our fight for better hygiene in horticulture and floriculture.

The year is almost over now, and our order book is still well filled. We are looking forward to the coming year in good spirits. It really cannot go wrong with such a great team of colleagues.

Hopefully there will be an opportunity later in the coming year to really celebrate our (at that time) 31st anniversary!

For now, I wish everyone the best of health. Take good care of each other, stick to the prescribed measures and support the care workers wherever possible.

Yours sincerely

Joep

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This is what satisfied customers say about us

Industrial tray and trolley washing machines for Ontario Plants Propagation, Canada

“I’m really proud that we get such large, intensive trolley and tray washers.” – Pieter van Dijk

Limex tray washer at Van Son & Koot

“With Limex, we found an excellent partner who meets all our needs. But ultimately, it’s all about the service. The first trays that have gone through the washer are as good as new.”

5 Tray washers in 4 years at Svenska Skogsplantor

“Our collaboration with Limex has worked very well. A supplier that we will continue to work with and can recommend as a good partner.“ – Niclas Noord

Two crate washers installed at RedStar: brilliant washing and drying results

Peter van Geest, TD Coordinator at RedStar: “The crates are virtually dry when removed from the machine and completely dry by the time they are stacked, which is already a massive improvement. We’re delighted with the solutions that Limex have provided.”

Limex crate and tray washer at Jungpflanzen Gernert

“The trays are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with foam from Menno Florades. The washing result could be seen very quickly from the better root quality.” – Achim Gernert

Automation in horticulture: a sustainable and efficient traywasher for Iribov

Michiel van Bennekom: “Limex does what they say and says what they do. And in the end, also a fine product that we can do well with.”

Limex Bucket Washer at Veiling Holambra Brazil

“The delivery of the bucket washer from Limex has fully met all our expectations! Limex has now a satisfied customer in Brazil!” – André van Kruijssen

LCS/Royal FloraHolland Bucket Washers

“The Limex washers are an indispensable component for a successful service to LCS!” – Jan van Hoef

Matman Australia: Limex washing machines in stock, super-fast delivery and professional service.

“I exclusively use Limex machines due to their proven, solid quality,” says Rob.

Powerful synergy of two family businesses: VHM and Limex cooperate on engineering a washing line for 1 m³crates

Rik agrees. “Working in partnership unites these diverse markets. By leveraging the expertise of Limex, we can boost the hygiene performance of our lines, and Limex now has access to control technology and automation.”

Spargelmesser Firmenich has already installed 120 Limex crate washing machines in Germany

Company director Jürgen Firmenich: “If all suppliers would perform like Limex, my troubles would be as good as gone: communication is good, and if an issue does arise, it’s resolved quickly.”

Intensive and sustainable crate washer for Wijnen Square Crops

“With this washer, we can be sure that the crates that come out of the machine are clean and free from viruses and other diseases; we can use them in our processes without risk.” – Koen Saris

Reichenspurner Hof restricts the spread of viruses and moulds thanks to the new Limex crate washer

Managing Director Mr. Stefan Smole: “;With this compact machine, we can wash and disinfect our crates very efficiently, saving on cleaning agents, water, and energy.”

Fully automatic washing line for Royal De Ree Holland

“What we now have is a system that washes the transport crates far better than the previous installation, and the number of operators has been reduced from three to just one.”- Joost van den Berg

Hishtil and Limex announce intensive collaboration

“The fruits of this productive collaboration between Limex and Hishtil permit both companies to offer their customers the best sanitation solution and healthy propagating material that will allow them to maximize crop quality and yields.” – Amit Dagan

Limex crate washers at Wesselman Flowers

“During cultivation, we see cycle after cycle of tulips emerging uniformly. An extra benefit is that the machine can remove the TVX virus. I can certainly recommend a Limex washer to every tulip grower.” – Joost Wesselman

German family company switches from tomato cultivation to hydroponic lettuce, aided by Limex raft washing machine

“It’s nice that the communication lines are short,” says Mr. Leo Berghs Trienekens. “You can just walk into the factory.” He was able to extensively view and test the float washing machines. “That increases confidence before purchasing. And as long as you keep the machine clean, there is actually no maintenance required. We appreciate Limex’s professional and personal approach”.

Limex tray and raft washing machine lowers water use and improves cultivation hygiene at De Kruidenaer

Christ Monden: “After I gave Joep Janssen a tour in the greenhouse and shared my wishes, he immediately had an idea of our wishes and the practical applications. That ultimately led to the installation of the washer, which enabled us to save a lot of water”

Improved cultivation hygiene for ImHofBio thanks to the Limex tray washing system

After examining many different machines, we finally settled on purchasing our new machine from Limex. We received competent and thorough advice before buying. Limex also adapted the new machine to our needs. In addition, our first few experiences have shown that the after-sales service and advice from Limex is also fantastic. – Hansjürg Imhof

Meet our sustainable partner: PlantLab

“We are excited about the washing result of the Limex machine. We like to share our plans and working method with a company like Limex that is also committed to sustainability and we are looking forward to a beautiful and successful collaboration in the future!” – Mr. Hans van Scheijndel

Limex bucket washer at Kurz Blumen in Korntal-Münchingen in Germany

“Limex advised us very well about the options for professional cleaning of flower buckets. They followed through upon their agreements, and their service has been excellent. The washer really is an investment that has already proven its worth in our company.”

Limex trolley washer helps improve hygiene at WPK Vegetable Plants

“This investment improves our capacity to keep any potential threats at bay,” says Erik van der Arend, general manager at WPK Vegetable Plants.

Limex develops process for hygienic cleaning of propagation trays

“Limex is developing constantly to meet our increasingly stringent requirements. We can recommend Limex with a clear conscience.” – Oliver Schneider

Limex crate washer at Boer Erik

“I have seen Limex machines at other fruit growers, even one that has been in use for 25 years and is still running. When I invest, I think it is important to invest in high-quality and well-functioning products that I will be able to use for years to come.” – Boer Erik

Washer for strawberry substrate troughs for Jarðarberjaland in Iceland

Steinar Jensen: “We strive for optimal hygiene, without chemical products. Everything works exactly as Limex said it would work.”

Expansion at Box Cleaning Service: new location and new crate washer

Luc Vrenken: “We have been working together to our full satisfaction for years. I have seen many washers running in practice, but the reliability of Limex really makes them stand out.”

Silver – our tray washer partner in Chile

“It is a pleasure for us to work with Limex, which is aware of the problems of hygiene and water scarcity that concern us in Chile and some regions.” – Martin Campos

Sustainable box cleaner Scherpenhuizen

For distribution centre Scherpenhuizen, Limex supplied a boxwasher, type KKW6000NS for sustainable washing of boxes where the water is heated by high-quality residual heat from cooling.

Limex tray washer at Bergvik Skog Plantor

“To have a tray washer that works this great has really boosted our production at the nursery. The growing trays gets clean and we can use them over and over again in our production without any problems. I can highly recommend any forest plant producer to use a Limex Washer in their production line.” – Ronny Anngren

Limex crate washer at Banken Champignons

“The Limex crate washer meets our hygiene requirements (microbiological cleanliness) and produces a drying result of less than four grams per crate. This allows an output of 5,600 clean crates per hour, and that maintains our delivery capacity at an optimal level. ” – Jurgen Banken