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In 2015 a new manufacturer of climate screens entered the market: Ridder. It was not an illogical step. Up to that point hundreds of screening installations were running on the company’s motors. But it was also a bold move in a market dominated by only two major brands. Ten years later Ridder is one of those major brands, offering a complete range of screens. Produced at home in Maasdijk, working closely with suppliers and partners abroad. But who was the very first customer.
“That was us,” says Geert van Rens, who in 2015 covered 6 hectares with the RES10 FR screen. In Meterik, tomato grower Van Rens cultivates medium truss tomatoes of the Bronski variety. Under the brand name Enjoy, they find their way to customers via Staay Food Group, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. The family business already had experience with screens, but not with Ridder. “No, but of course we knew Ridder from the motors for screening and ventilation. The contact came through Maurice Kassenbouw, a trusted partner for us. Maurice had confidence in it. And it was just at a time when there was price pressure on screens.”
“It does not last forever”
As it happens, this autumn Van Rens plans to replace the screen. Ten years is now a respectable age for a screen. Many growers choose to replace the screen every five years. “Certainly, after ten years you notice that light transmission is a bit lower. But in terms of quality and moisture permeability it has been an excellent screen for us,” says Jordi van Rens. He took over from his father after two and a half years. Geert also sees that the Ridder screen could use an upgrade. “Small holes are slowly but surely appearing in the screen. It is starting to get dirty. In places it is getting a bit stiffer. It does not last forever.”
Changed cultivation strategy
The screen may be the same, but the cultivation strategy on Dwarsweg in Meterik has changed. “Very much so,” says Geert. “Mainly because of energy consumption. In spring we always add an OPAC film. That is because we start late. We only plant in the second or third week of January. If you plant late you need a high twenty four hour average temperature in the greenhouse. You cannot manage that with a single screen. In autumn we use the screen the most.”
Screen stays the same
Jordi is now responsible for screening and for choosing a new screen and possibly a different supplier. “But our trust in Ridder has never been disappointed,” he says of the decision to choose the Westland manufacturer again, which is no longer a newcomer to the market. In ten years Ridder has seen the range grow strongly and the customer base along with it. Worldwide Ridder screens now cover about 10,000 hectares, and since 2015 they have also been manufactured in Maasdijk.
Up to 47 percent energy savings
After ten years RES10 FR is still a cornerstone of the Ridder range. There has never been a reason to change the Ridder Original, the company says. The Ridder Energy Saving Screen can significantly reduce energy consumption. The growing climate remains consistent and the temperature distribution is optimal. Light interception is minimal because the screen folds up neatly. Other advantages include the flame retardant properties and UV resistance.
Jordi: “We are very satisfied with this screen. For us there is really no reason to switch. There is also RES10 Plus FR, the new type. It lets slightly less moisture through because it uses 5 mm film instead of 4 mm. This reduces the amount of yarn, which leads to lower moisture permeability and additional energy savings. For tomato cultivation RES10 FR still has the advantage. But it will certainly mean a different way of growing with a completely new screen.”
