Controlled Environment Agriculture

Steering Viemose DGS Toward Innovation & Global Leadership in Indoor Farming

Floris Berghout, the new CEO of Viemose DGS, aims to strengthen the company’s position in automated leafy green production systems.
Image provided by Viemose DGS.

Key Takeaways:

  • Floris Berghout, the new CEO of Viemose DGS, aims to strengthen the company’s position in automated leafy green production systems.
  • Berghout’s leadership is focused on expanding Viemose DGS’s market presence, particularly in North America.
  • Viemose DGS is committed to sustainability and innovation, with a focus on optimizing its existing moving gutter systems and exploring new technologies like aeroponics and vertical farming.
  • The company is prioritizing resource-efficient growing methods that maximize land use while minimizing environmental impact.

Leadership Change: A New Chapter for Viemose DGS

Floris Berghout’s unexpected journey to becoming the CEO of Viemose DGS began with a conversation with a headhunter. Previously leading the international sales team at Viscon Group, Berghout wasn’t actively searching for a new role, but the opportunity led him to consider a shift. After learning more about Viemose DGS, a Danish company with a long history of greenhouse construction and moving gutter systems, Berghout took the helm, eager to elevate the company to new heights.

As an outsider from the Netherlands, Berghout initially anticipated some hesitance from the Danish team. However, his transparent communication and clear vision for the company quickly reassured employees. “They were a bit afraid about the changes, but when I explained the plans, they were happy and relieved,” Berghout shared.

Strategic Vision: Elevating Viemose DGS in the Global Arena

One of Berghout’s primary goals is to enhance Viemose DGS’s visibility, particularly in the automated leafy green production sector. Despite being a pioneer in moving gutter systems, Viemose DGS remains less recognized than it should be, according to Berghout. “If you’re looking for a leafy green production system, talk to Viemose DGS,” he remarked, underscoring the company’s leadership in this niche market.

Viemose DGS’s evolution from a greenhouse construction company to an innovator in smart growing systems positions it to be a significant player in the automated agriculture industry. Berghout’s strategic focus on building stronger connections with growers and expanding the company’s influence aligns with the increasing demand for automated, space-efficient agricultural solutions.

Market Expansion: Eyes on North America

Historically, Viemose DGS has operated across Scandinavia, Northern Germany, and the Baltic States, with recent projects in Poland, Japan, and Florida. Berghout is now focusing efforts on expanding into the North American market, where demand for innovative agricultural solutions is growing.

The company’s expertise is spread across three main segments: whole-head production, leafy green cut products, and herb production systems. While leafy greens have garnered significant industry attention, Berghout notes that whole-head production remains dominant globally.

Product Innovation: The Future of Growing Systems

Viemose DGS is known for the durability of its systems, particularly the MGs (Moving Gutter Systems), which come with a rare 10-year warranty. While Berghout sees the MGs systems as having reached maturity, he believes there’s room for optimization, particularly in areas like lighting, humidity control, and CO2 management.

The company is also exploring newer technologies, including aeroponics, and continuing to develop its benching systems. Vertical farming, although currently a smaller segment of Viemose DGS’s portfolio, is an area of growing interest, particularly in hybrid systems that combine vertical and conventional growing methods.

Sustainability: A Balanced Approach to Modern Agriculture

Under Berghout’s leadership, Viemose DGS is doubling down on sustainability. The company is focused on maximizing land use efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Berghout advocates for a balanced approach to farming, recognizing that while traditional methods are sometimes criticized, they are often more efficient than alternatives. “There’s a tendency to criticize modern farming methods, but the alternatives might require 10, 100, or even 1,000 times more land for the same production,” Floris Berghout noted.

Viemose DGS’s systems, including its NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) systems, are designed with sustainability in mind. By recirculating water and fertilizers, these systems reduce waste and lower the environmental footprint of agriculture. This focus on resource-efficient technologies aligns with the company’s broader goals of reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, ensuring that intensive farming practices remain both productive and environmentally responsible.

Read the complete conversation here.

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