Find the right partner

Photos courtesy of LLK

Produce Grower: If you’re a grower, and you’re looking to build or upgrade a facility, what’s the advantage of going with a process that’s driven by your needs/vision vs. what’s available?

Shawn Brown: Growers, our customers, have to be efficient. They have to be price conscious and look for the best value when they are expanding or renovating their greenhouse facilities. They also have to be careful. We have seen customers in the marketplace select a low-cost or packaged option that results in lower yields and/or higher operational costs than they would have with a solution that fits their exact needs. As an operator, you have to start with the end in mind and weigh the long-term ROI of your project from a quality construction and an operational/maintenance standpoint At LLK, we are not a manufacturer but a design-build provider that partners with our customers to identify what their short and long goals are and align a solution that meets their vision. We leverage our 90+ years in business to select the right structural, equipment, and control solution. We self-perform the construction of the project with our own employees and extend our partnership by assisting our customers in maintaining their investment/greenhouse.

PG: Why is it important for the grower to engage a greenhouse expert to develop, and execute the right environment from day one instead of waiting?

Justin Morse: In my experience, it’s about creating a long-term relationship with a grower. It is important that the grower’s vendor takes the time to understand the customer’s operation, perform an environmental study and have an honest conversation with them about what it would take to make the vision reality.

It’s not just building something and handing it over. It’s about a long-term partnership that can make the business successful through developing the right equipment and the right solution at the start of the project.

SB: It’s best, in our opinion, to have a structured, detailed plan vs. going a la carte to build a greenhouse. We have the experience, and deep relationships with a majority of structural, equipment and environmental control suppliers to deliver on the established plan.

Dustin Forney: Having a strong vendor partner and industry relationship is important. I have been working with LLK Greenhouses to develop lighting solutions for over eight years. LLK has consistently provided the highest quality consultation and cultivation guidance of any design-build group I have worked with. Philips/Signify appreciates the partnership approach that they take with their suppliers as we deliver solutions together.

PG: Why should growers take the time to engage in the design process?

SB: The answer is to better identify your needs, ensuring that areas where value can be added are incorporated during design and properly executed during construction identified. I’ve never had a customer come back and say they feel that time and money was wasted.