Delegates from the International Garden Centre Association visited DLF Trifolium’s state-of-the-art packing facility in Hojme, Denmark.
The one-off event, the day was designed to showcase DLF Trifolium’s market-leading consumer brands, which include Johnsons Lawn Seed, as well as its dedication to delivering the highest quality processes and products to the international garden retail market.
Located on the island of Odense in Eastern Denmark, the facility offers the latest technology in fully-automated packing systems, which automatically produces tens of millions of units of lawn seed every year for delivery across Europe and Russia. It was the ideal platform to showcase the behind-the-scene technology and science that underpins DLF’s work.
Delegates from 21 countries - including the UK, America, New Zealand, France, Japan and the Netherlands were taken on guided tours through every step of the pack and despatch process.
Johnsons Lawn Seed’s consumer manager Guy Jenkins, who led the UK contingent through the day, said: “DLF Trifolium is a global leader in lawn seed development, but very few people really understand what goes on at the production level. Our Odense facility is the perfect showcase for the advanced technology and ongoing R&D that takes place for all DLF’s lawn seed products, including consumer brands such as Johnsons Lawn Seed.
“Lawn seed may be a very tiny product in regards to its physical size, but our commitment to delivering the highest quality is almost immeasurable. Helping our retail customer understand this through events such as this one is invaluable, as in turn it helps to arm them with the knowledge and passion that we possess; something that will pay dividends back in the retail environment.”
Carol Paris, chief executive of the HTA, who attended the event, said: “It was a fascinating visit. The degree of automation in the facility was incredible and I was astonished to learn that DLF have 25% of the worldwide market in seed and 50% of the European market. Events such as this are important because they help us to gain an understanding of other businesses and how they operate, as well as focusing on essential future development.”