Dutch immigrant Theo and Lisette Breg started the company Sítio Kolibri in 1989 in the metropolis of Holambra , Brazil . Today , their girl Gabriela and Regina lean the company together with their husbands . Anthura talks with Gabriela and Regina about the company , its growing , and the hereafter .
Gabriela and Regina Breg .
Can you tell us something about the company ’s history?Gabriela : We are the girl of Dutch Immigrants who came to Brazil at the death of 1981 . Our founder , Theo Breg , amount as a advisor , but in sentence he became a collaborator of a Kalanchoe grower . After a few years , my parents decided to buy a topographic point and start their own business . For four long time they produced African violets and some Kalanchoe . The production of African violets was put back by Anthuriums , mixed bag that Sítio Kolibri imported from Anthura . Around 1994 they had the chance to take up mature Phalaenopsis . In 2012 the company determine to focus completely on Phalaenopsis .
How did you and your baby become involved in the company?Regina : When we moved to Brazil in 1989 , it was just the four of us in Brazil , no kinfolk around , my sis and I always ended up in our parents ’ company , immersed in the company ’s life . Gabriela went to university and after she graduated , she settle to amount back to Holambra and work in the mob business .
It was a good decision . Since 2008 , Gabriela and I have been partners of our parent , and in 2013 my married man Mattheus joined us . Gabriela ’s hubby , Cauê , join the company in 2022 .
GabrielaOur parents are no longer actively postulate in the company . Regina , Mattheus , Cauê , and I are working together and making trusted that Sítio Kolibri continues to develop and get .
Can you enjoin us something about the current structure of your company and the growth and investments of recent years?Regina : Today , Sítio Kolibri has two output internet site . The first is for the growing phase angle of Phalaenopsis and therefore contains a heating system developed for this part of the cultivation , and the second is a blossoming glasshouse , with a cool down organisation for the process .
In the last few class , the company has induct in different technology so we can grow more high - quality works in a flying hertz .
In 2019 our company get a new wood cow chip boiler that accommodate our yield unconscious process . We bought it with our own capital letter , and since July 2020 it has been heat a nursery area of 26,000 m² . To improve the caliber of the heat supply , and to take down our electricity using up , we change all the heating pumps and renovated all the heating line inside the greenhouse .
Gabriela : At the terminal of 2020 , the company start progress the last cold nursery so we can make full economic consumption of our heated area . The new field , of 5,500 m² , is built to derogate damage in the result of eminent winds or hailstorms . It has a lodgings and buff system , as do all the other greenhouses , for optimal mood control , and Güntner air coolers that ensure a incessant temperature of around 22 degree Celsius throughout the class . Double blending allows good insolation control of the greenhouse . All our cold greenhouses are fit with these systems .
In the frigid nursery , we installed draining floors which allows us to have a drier climate under the tables , minify the relative incidence of sure disease . In the same area , the table will be ravish through the whole production expanse ( around 200 meters ) in tape transport lines . This company also leave the Al containers we use . New atmosphere - cooled auto were acquired to ensure cool down during the hotter months of the year .
To complete the investment programme of 2021 , Sitio Kolibri acquired solar panel to offer electric power to all the greenhouses and equipment . It started functioning in June 2022 and we are already watch good results , so much so that we probably wo n’t need to habituate electrical energy from the vigor company .
Why did you pick out to mature Phalaenopsis?Regina : Jacques van der Weijden worked in Brazil for a while and then fit back to Holland but , before he left , he suggested that Phalaenopsis would be the hatful flora of the future . Our father , Theo , decided to judge working with this new plant . genus Phalaenopsis was already being produced in Brazil , but on a very modest scurf , especially in cities with cold climates . In those days production was not year - circular , so my father invested in cool arrangement in the nursery so he could deal the plants all year . It was a big succeeder .
Gabriela : We have had our ups and downs , and with the down in exceptional we teach a fate about this plant . We also specialized in this culture and this product group because we really care challenges .
Last June you were nominated for the sustainability award of the International Grower of the Year and come third . Can you secern us more about this?Regina : Last year my founder said to Gabriela : “ There is still fourth dimension to record for the sustainability award of the International Grower of the Year , what do you think ? ” He sent the petition for coating to the organization concerned for participate , and we decide to give it a go . We have worked very severely during these past years to get to where we are . When we filled out the forms , we reason that we had already carry out most of the requirements regarding sustainability .
What could Dutch companies learn from you?Gabriela : In Brazil , we do n’t have a good reach of technologies for heyday raiser . We have to mean a great deal outside the box and find ways to manage and follow out new technologies . Also , inflation is a day-to-day reality for us , so we always have to be really focused on cope our money and not depending on bank building for big investment .
What can you learn from the Netherlands?Gabriela : Visiting the Netherlands once a class , at least , is one of our objectives . We attempt to confab different growers as well as Phalaenopsis breeders . In the Netherlands , there are a caboodle of extremely specialised companies in build up plant life cultivation technology , something that we do n’t have in Brazil . For us it is very important to see how these technology wreak , and which of them can be used , or at least adapt , to our cultivation in Brazil .
How do you see the future tense of your company?Regina : For the future we plan to concentrate on cultivating Phalaenopsis on just one production land site . Therefore , we have a recollective terminus architectural plan ( 20 year ) to expand the glasshouse at Sítio Garça Mirim from 21,000 m² to 80,000 m² . We will keep the glasshouse at Kolibri for an alternative production to Phalaenopsis . This expansion design is expensive , so it calls for very careful financial provision and a well - found work program .
For more data : Anthurawww.anthura.nl
