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Gee
Vee Enterprises
Family
traditions are strong in the Lea Valley, where you’ll come across
more entrepreneurial young growers than any other area in the UK. Gee
Vee Enterprises are a case in point. Founded by Gaetano and
Vincenzina Cappalonga in 1997, initially as an AYR chrysanthemum
unit, Netherhall Nursery switched to peppers in 1999 and were joined
in the business by their forward looking son John in 2006.John has
been the driving force behind an investment of £1.5 M in new glass,
with integrated packhouse and office.
 John
Cappalonga has focussed all his energies into growing high
quality peppers at the lowest possible input cost. “Since joining
the business, I have been researching ways in which we can grow
better quality peppers at a lower cost but at the same time keeping
a close eye on our energy costs and reducing our environmental
impact. This is the first phase of implementation but I will
continue to move the business forward to ensure its future success.”
CMW have been working closely with John to deliver
the improved efficiencies he seeks. A thermal screen has been
installed incorporating a Klimax-compact slipping clutch system, which
gives the dual benefit of a compact package for maximum light
benefit when the screen is open and ensures a tight seal when the
screen is closed. The material used is Ludvig Svensson’s SLS 10
Ultra Plus - a tried and tested material which has both a high light
transmission and high energy saving.
CMW's
installation crew utilised state of the art all-terrain scissor
lifts to ensure that the mechanical installation could be carried
out quickly, safely and efficiently.
Gee Vee have specified a harvesting system using
robotic harvesting trolleys. Once full, the trolleys use an
induction cable inlaid in the concrete path to deploy themselves at
a tipping system within the new packing area. Here the produce is
transferred into the bulk containers ready for grading.
Gee Vee also opted for Formflex
gutters throughout the new 12,000 m2 glasshouse.
Hanging gutters
not only improve the husbandry of the crop by ensuring adequate air
movement under and surrounding the crop, but simplify the collection
and re-use of irrigation water and lead to considerable savings in
labour costs. CMW supplied the gutter system together with all the
trickle irrigation, mains and sub mains. Conscious of the need
to protect the environment and keep fertiliser costs to a minimum,
the nutrient is dosed using a Priva Nutriflex, irrigation run-off is collected in a bespoke collection tank and
sterilised by a Priva Vialux UV system.
Fusion welding of over 1,000
metres of irrigation main ensures a leak and maintenance free water
and nutrient distribution system.
New for this installation
were side by side gutters that allow greater crop density without
compromising light to the plant.
The gutters were formed on site using specialised
machinery. The 12,000 m2 in this project were formed and installed
in just 3 days by the skilled Formflex crew.
See typical fabrication video
here >>>
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