Advisory Process
The purchase of installations for cultivation and processing is a significant investment and must meet various requirements regarding capacity, energy consumption, and product quality. Additionally, total costs play a crucial role: investment costs, operating costs, energy costs, and product loss must be minimized.
A well-designed installation is just as challenging as the structural design of the greenhouse or warehouse where the installations will be placed. Often, the installation itself determines part of the structural layout. Therefore, close collaboration takes place with Agrofocus Projects and other construction consultants.
Through a clear and structured advisory process, you will be guided in acquiring installations that meet your requirements, at the lowest total cost, and with minimal risk of unforeseen costs during execution.
Basic Design
The foundation of an installation is a well-considered design. The product and the operational methods within the company serve as the starting points. The product's requirements, such as growth patterns, yield levels, cooling and drying times, and the company’s working methods, are mapped out. Where necessary, chemical analyses and other measurements are conducted to create an optimal design. For specific applications, special crates may need to be designed.
Cost Estimation
Once the basic design is finalized, a cost estimate is prepared. This is often required to secure project financing. While the exact execution is not yet determined at this stage, choices regarding cooling and heating systems are already made. Estimated energy costs, maintenance costs, and possible subsidies play a crucial role. With years of experience and extensive review of various offers, an informed choice can usually be made. Where necessary, multiple options are included in the specifications. The cost estimate provides an acceptable range for investment decisions.
Specifications and Tendering
A detailed specification is essential to ensure that installations meet the set requirements and are purchased at a market-conform price. The specification describes the technical execution in detail, minimizing additional costs and ensuring that offers can be compared accurately. The goal is not to choose the cheapest installation but the one that delivers the best results at the lowest operating costs.
Depending on the project, the specification may include the following components:
- Cooling cells and doors
- Fans
- Cooling installations
- Heating installations
- Heat recovery and heat pumps
- Installations for CA and ULO storage
- Lighting and power installations
- Process control
The specification also includes basic drawings showing piping layouts, pipe diameters, and components such as valves and pumps.
The tendering process concludes with a review of order confirmations and, if applicable, preparation of subsidy applications. Additionally, installers who were not awarded the contract are informed.
Supervision During Installation
After tendering, the execution phase begins. Supervision remains essential during this phase. Final designs are reviewed, and participation in discussions with contractors and clients ensures that planning is monitored. Any necessary adjustments that arise during execution are discussed and incorporated.
Upon project completion, a final check ensures that the installation has been executed as agreed and that all legally required inspections have been performed. A completion report is prepared, including measurements such as cooling speed, air distribution, thermographic analysis of insulation, and ventilation capacity at different inlet valve positions. If necessary, the installer makes final adjustments to ensure optimal system functionality. Regular maintenance remains crucial to ensure continued performance.