Hoogendoorn supplies automation for John Baarda Ltd
Belasis Park site
John Baarda Ltd new site 
Belasis Park houses John Baarda Ltd's latest development, incorporating the first phase growing area of 950,000sq ft - the size of 20 football pitches - across a 23 acre site, which could increase to 38 acres with later phases. It will produce 10 million tomato vines a year, which will grow about 7,000 tonnes of tomatoes. Investment in the facility is likely to top £3m, with up to £1m spent on specialised lighting systems. Terra will provide up to 12,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Up to 80 workers will eventually be needed to maintain and operate the plant. Ecotech UK Ltd of Newport, Yorkshire, undertook all electrical installation works, and to provide the automation for this sophisticated site, they asked Hoogendoorn Automation. They have been involved in the most innovative projects in the greenhouse industry for over 30 years and were therefore the ideal choice to supply a solution.
Economic System Computer
As the core element of this solution, Hoogendoorn supplied one of their renowned Economic computer systems, specially designed for greenhouse automation as a modular system with digital satellites (Datapoints), installed in a variety of locations, such as computer room, boiler room, pump room and greenhouse compartments, etc. This allows for easy and economical installation, as all wiring remains local to the nearest Datapoint unit.
The Economic system provides for greenhouse climate control, such as monitoring greenhouse conditions and adjusting heating, lighting, ventilation etc. accordingly. It also manages six irriga-tion pumping units at the Belasis site, and controls energy demand levels, using special localised weather prognosis facilities.
Hoogendoorn Nomad
In addition to automating the greenhouse climate, Hoogendoorn were also asked to come up with a solution on how best to track growing and picking activities on site. In view of the scale of this greenhouse cultivation business and the consequent size of its growing areas, a system recording relevant information on the spot was considered to be ideal, especially as it enables staff to carry out their tasks at any location, for example an elevated picking trolley. Hoogendoorn’s remote controlled “Nomad” system offers the utmost in flexibility in this regard.
Instant accessibility via Wireless LAN
Last but not least, the whole of this highly sophisticated system is connected via an internal wireless LAN, providing for instant and easy access to all data and processes from anywhere on the site.