Delphy, post-takeover: Accelerated digitization and new research sites

Yesterday, it was officially announced: the Canadian AgriFORCE Growing Systems has acquired the Dutch company, Delphy. Jacco van der Wekken, Delphy's CEO, explains.

"This take-over provides us with increased investment capital. Think especially of digitization in the broadest sense - we're going to accelerate that development. AgriFORCE affords us tremendous opportunities," he says.

Trade-off
Delphy is 'delighted' with this acquisition. "We can now smoothly roll out and realize our strategy. We'll also keep developing in the Netherlands, especially concerning new research locations in sectors where we don't yet have them, like fruit cultivation and flower bulbs."

Jacco says various parties have approached Delphy in recent years regarding possible take-overs. "With all of these, we always considered whether we could retain our independence. With AgriFORCE, that's certainly the case. Also, AgriFORCE's vision matches ours; so, the whole puzzle fell together. We see so many opportunities and can now properly use them."

Jacco at the Delphy Innovative Soft Fruit Center opening last year.

Improvement Center
In North America, a Delphy Improvement Center is being built, like the one in the Netherlands. The aim is to develop and apply knowledge there too. "That will create a synergic advantage for our customers worldwide."

The Delphy Improvement Center's importance to the sector has been proven, Jacco says. "Knowledge development is a key factor for future success. We get so many research questions from both suppliers and growers. The Delphy Improvement Centre in the Netherlands is currently fully occupied."

Jacco says the take-over will not affect clients in any way. "The people won't change. The name won't change. And we'll continue to work independently," he concludes.