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We made quality part of our lives.
Florcontrol is the leading company in Latin America for technical assistance
in the postharvest of cut flowers and quality control of flower shipments. The company
was founded in 1989 by Karen D'hont and Jos Langeslag and since than about 500 nurseries,
mainly in Colombia and Ecuador have used one or more of the services Florcontrol
offers. Also flower importers in the U.S.A. and Europe use the expertise of Florcontrol
in order to assure the quality of their flowers.
The consultants that work with Florcontrol are highly trained in all areas related
with the preservation of the quality of the flowers after harvest. They recommend
amongst others about topics like cut stage, the composition of the hydration solutions,
Botrytis control after harvest, packing materials, packaging, presentation, cooling,
logistics and the design of grading rooms, tables and other materials. Also training sessions are given
to the employees that work in postharvest. |
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Quality assurance of flower shipments
is done by inspectors with several years of experience in this field. The revisions
are done at the nursery and eventual at the airport, where the inspectors open boxes
and bunches and make notes of their observations. Within 24 hours, a written report
is send to client, including recommendations for improvement.
The main office of Florcontrol is in Colombia. In this country the company also counts
with a laboratory for
chemical and bacterial analyses and a shelf life test room. In the chemical department
of the laboratory, S.T.S. can be detected in flower buds and stems, in order to prove
that the flowers were treated correctly after harvest and protected against ethylene
damage. The bacterial contamination of rose stems and other flowers susceptible for
vascular obstruction are analyzed in the microbiological department of the laboratory.
Vase life tests are
carried out after the flowers received a transport simulation. On vase, flower opening
and shelf life are evaluated. Simultaneously Botrytis tests are done in order to
define the possibility that this fungus develops during transport. For all types
of analysis and investigations, a format has been developed which enables the grower
to interpret the results and to make the necessary adjustments in order to improve
the quality of his flowers.
In the laboratory of Florcontrol a complete line of postharvest products was developed
for different types of cut flowers grown in Colombia and Ecuador. The chemical company
Brenntag sells these products under the name Florissima. Together Florcontrol and
Brenntag are working continuously on improvements of this line, trying to include
compounds that are less pollutant for the environment.
Florcontrol also developed seminars and courses about cut flower care and handling
after harvest. These courses are addressed to all participants in the flower industry
and cover a wide range of topics.
In January 2003 Florcontrol became the coordinator of
MPS for all Latin American countries. MPS
is a Dutch certifying organization for environmental and social issues. Worldwide,
over 4000 companies in about 32 different countries, amongst them Costa Rica, Guatemala,
Colombia and Ecuador are certified by MPS. |
Contact us: info@florcontrol.com
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