The Netherlands-based company Logiqs, headquartered in Maasdijk in the Westland region, is marking its 50th anniversary. The milestone is an occasion to look back at five decades of development in greenhouse logistics and automation, and to discuss what lies ahead. One of the company's owners, Gert-Jan van Staalduinen, reflects on the journey.
The beginning
Logiqs traces its origins to 1975, when the company was founded under the name Intransit by Teun van den Dool — who later also founded Hortilux. From the outset, the business focused on supporting the horticulture sector in advancing automation. Among its earliest clients were WPK and, later, VDE, both of which still use the original rolling containers supplied in those early years.
In 1995, the company became part of Alcoa Agro, a division of aluminium manufacturer Alcoa focused on horticultural systems. Alcoa had been acquiring Dutch companies that applied aluminium in sectors including construction and street lighting, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of end-user needs. Van den Dool chose to sell, partly because the constant volatility in the horticulture sector, periods of rapid growth followed by standstill, had taken its toll. Three years later, Alcoa dismissed Van den Dool due to a difference of opinion, and a number of experienced staff left with him.
© Logiqs bvPhoto from the archives
Managing a typical SME proved difficult for Alcoa Agro. Reporting structures were hard to align, and when that breaks down, problems follow quickly. When new management took over at Alcoa's headquarters in Pittsburgh, USA, a decision was made to sell. Dutch company Leen Huisman expressed interest and acquired the business.
© Logiqs bv2D-shuttle for automated transportation in the greenhouse
Product development: the shuttle system
In 2009, propagation company LKP Plants requested a logistics system capable of moving individual rolling containers. At the time, only groups of tables could be moved, which created microclimatic problems in cultivation. A brainstorming session led to the concept of the 1D shuttle, a system that could automatically move tables within the row where they were needed.
Later that year, after LKP Plants postponed its planned new construction, Van Staalduinen was forced to restructure the company, reducing the workforce from 80 to 15 employees. "It was painful, but necessary," he says. Clients including Ubink and German grower Kientzler helped drive further development of the shuttle system, ultimately resulting in the 2D shuttle. The system has since been adopted by many growers, including LKP Plants, which realised its new facility a decade after its original enquiry and immediately took advantage of the unique microclimate created by airflow through the rolling containers.
© Logiqs bv3D crane for automated transportation in the greenhouse
2014: Logiqs continues independently
The 2009 restructuring restored the company's financial health, but a property-related problem within the wider group led to the group's bankruptcy. Huisman continued separately, while Van Staalduinen acquired the company together with two investors, whom he later bought out. One of the investors had a background in warehouse logistics, and this connection contributed to the development of the iCUBE system. Van Staalduinen notes with sadness that this investor passed away a few years later.
© Logiqs bvAutomatic center trolley (AMW) for automated transportation in the greenhouse
© Logiqs bv3D carrier in the iCUBE pallet storage system
© Logiqs bvConveyor of the iCUBE pallet storage system
Logiqs and vertical farming
Logiqs' move into vertical farming grew out of curiosity within the team about this emerging cultivation method. "Between 2016 and 2022, we built a great deal, particularly in the USA, and we gained substantial experience," says Van Staalduinen. "The market is currently difficult, and we are waiting for better conditions. In many parts of the world, growing outdoors or in greenhouses remains more viable than in a vertical farm. But gradually, more products and markets are emerging for which vertical farming is becoming commercially feasible."
He acknowledges that progress has been slow due to the cost of production. "Techniques are not yet advanced enough to make vertical farming affordable at scale. But there will come a moment when things move very fast again. That could be later this year, or it might be ten years from now. Logiqs will continue developing and following this market."
© Logiqs bv
Gert-Jan van Staalduinen
© Logiqs bv
Looking ahead
The company currently employs around 60 people. "Our core values are: caring, honest, curious, proud, and responsible. If you work here, you have great colleagues," says Van Staalduinen. "Our clients seek out that culture, that passion, and that drive for innovation."
Logiqs continues to work on innovations and projects in both horticulture and pallet storage. "We are currently involved in some exciting projects and developments," Van Staalduinen says. "I hope to be able to share more about those in the coming months."
For more information:
Logiqs
Honderdland 841
2676 LV Maasdijk
[email protected]
www.logiqs.nl
