1. business and industrial
2. agriculture and forestry
3. crops and seed

2013
Control your climate Grow your profits
Solutions for
Horticulture
Powerplants Vision
We provide world leading service and innovative
tailored solutions to the horticulture industry
Great projects start here...
Established in 1994, Powerplants
Australia is a privately owned
company that has grown from
strength to strength over the past
19 years to become Australia’s premier
Greenhouse Technology provider.
technologies has enabled us to deliver the
right solutions to our customers with reliable
products and outstanding outcomes.
With over 30 employees, Powerplants continues
to provide the technical needs of growers in all
corners of Australia and South East Asia.
Contact us today for all your
greenhouse requirements on
+61 3 8795 7750 or via email at:
[email protected] or
www.powerplants.com.au
Our 19 years of industry experience and
practical knowledge combined with overseas
2
Based in Hallam, Victoria, and with representatives
in four states, Powerplants Australia can provide
all facets of modern turnkey
projects to any size.
Scan to visit our website
www.powerplants.com.au
We partner and support
growers throughout
Australia and South East Asia
Our focus on Service and Maintenance
You can focus on growing your
business while we take care of all your
service and maintenance requirements.
Ideally all screen and vent systems should
be serviced at least once a year and climate
control and fertigation equipment serviced
at least once every six months.
Powerplants have a team of fully qualified and
experienced service technicians on the road to
ensure your system runs smoothly. No matter
where you are located, we can attend to your
property within a day.
Service is our priority, therefore we now provide
a dedicated phone number for any service or
maintenance issues you may have. You can call
our Service & Maintenance hotline at any time
24/7 and speak directly to one of our qualified
technicians.
Preventative maintenance is the most effective
way to look after your equipment. By conducting
consistent servicing, you are ensuring your
equipment is running at 100%. If you get a
group of growers together in the same area,
we can also discount travel expenses.
Call our friendly team now
and book in for a regular service
on +61 3 9709 4747 or email
[email protected]
3
Why work with Powerplants?
4
5
The LEAN approach
In 2012 Powerplants looked at how to move forward and streamline its business
to be the most cost effective and efficient horticulture solutions provider in the
market. Taking on the principles of LEAN has meant that Powerplants is in the
best position to work for our customers and produce the expected outcome with
superior service.
Principles of Lean
The five-step thought process for guiding the
implementation of lean techniques is easy to
remember, but not always easy to achieve:
1.Specify value from the standpoint of the end
customer by product family.
2.Identify all the steps in the value stream for
each product family, eliminating whenever
possible those steps that do not create value.
Powerplants have recently moved to a new,
larger facility located in Hallam, Victoria. The
move came from the need to streamline
processes to ensure optimal manufacturing for
our customers. We want production to be faster,
more economical and with less delays to ensure
the best solution could be custom built to your
specific requirements. We encourage you to
come and see the products being built by our
experienced team.
3.Make the value-creating steps occur in tight
sequence so the product will flow smoothly
toward the customer.
4. As flow is introduced, let customers pull value
from the next upstream activity.
5.As value is specified, value streams are
identified, wasted steps are removed, and
flow and pull are introduced, begin the
process again and continue it until a state of
perfection is reached in which perfect value
is created with no waste.
Powerplants Australia accredited Master Electricians
Master Electrician Australia represents
the best of the electrical trade across
the country. All Master Electricians are
accredited to provide the highest levels
of workmanship and electrical safety.
When you choose Powerplants you can be
confident you are selecting quality electrical
contractors with proven experience to provide
6
you with a safe, energy efficient solution for
your business. Each Master Electrician is also
required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and
offer their customers a 12-month guarantee on
their work.
We are very proud that all our electricians are
accredited as Master Electricians leaving no
doubt that when choosing Powerplants, you
get professionals who stand by their work.
Turnkey Project Partners
Usually the greenhouse is only 35% of your
total investment cost. Our job is to make
the whole investment actually work.
Talk to us about project design before you start and
we promise that your results will provide the best
‘growth’ return per dollar, per square metre.
We work with the best greenhouse technology
suppliers both here and overseas to ensure we get
your project right from the start.
We only work with the best,
to give you the best...
7
What’s your challenge?
8
Find your solution here...
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
9
Combining the country’s industry leaders, HortWorks can
provide the greatest range of products and advice for
any new or existing greenhouse project.
When you want the best advice and expertise in Australia,
speak to the people who can deliver, HortWorks.
10
Solutions & Products
Table of Contents
Find your solution here...
11
Retractable Roof
Increase yield with Cravo Retractable
Roof Production System (RRPS)
The ability of retractable roof greenhouses to increase yields by optimising the
growing environment and protect crops from excessive cold, heat, rain, hail and
wind allows a grower to modify where they grow and how large of a production
facility they need to meet their customer demands.
This provides growers the option to improve their balance sheet by lowering
their overall investment by lowering land acquistion costs and reducing the
overall investment on the greenhouse.
Want to increase your
yield while reducing your
production area?
Climate Systems
The higher yields in a retractable roof
greenhouse, allows growers to build fewer
hectares of houses while still maintaining the
same overall yield. Growers can also reduce
the number of growing locations. For growers
wanting to supply year round, the retractable
roof greenhouses can frequently reduce
the number of farm locations that would
be required to ensure a constant supply
year round.
12
Need to increase the quality of
your crop in order to increase sales?
Fruit quality can be improved compared to
those grown in the open field or a conventional
greenhouse or shade house since the roof can
be closed during adverse conditions to prevent
the blemishes which occur in the open field.
Retracting the roof during ideal outdoor
conditions help produce fruit that is larger, has
a longer shelf, has a higher brix and is firmer
than that grown outdoors or under a shadehouse.
- Rob Pohlman, Pohlman’s Nursery
Thinking about methods to
reduce overall costs?
Costs to grade the land could be reduced since
certain retractable roof greenhouse designs
allow the greenhouse to follow gentle changes
in the slope of the land. Grading costs can also
be reduced if the crops are going to be grown
in the ground since grades are not as critical
compared to crops grown hydroponically.
Finally, it may not be necessary to install
horizontal airflow fans to circulate the air since
opening the walls and roofs allows the wind to
circulate the air more effectively and economically
than horizontal airflow fans. However, if the
greenhouse roof is closed for long periods of
time during the winter, then horizontal airflow
fans will still be beneficial.
Retractable roof greenhouses can:
• Allow growers to increase plant density due
to the higher light levels and better control
over humidity. Also, plant density can be
frequently increased by around 12% in the
retractable roof compared to a tunnel due to
the greater head clearance and distance
between post lines.
• Increase the yield per plant due to the
improved growing environment.
• Extend the growing season since crops can
be protected from the winter cold and
the summer heat.
• Potentially allow growers to increase the
number of plantings to target the shoulder
seasons.
Do you want to reduce your
water usage?
Growers of outdoor plants have experienced
up to 50% reductions in water usage during the
summer simply by closing the greenhouse roof
85% during hot conditions. When factoring in
the increased yields, the water usage per kilo of
crops harvested can be up to 85% less than that
of the open field. In addition, water usage can
be further reduced by retracting the roof during
rainfall to naturally irrigate your crops using rain
that is free and has good PH and low salinity.
The rain can also be used to clean off the leaves
and help leach salt out of the soil media.
Supply produce when
the prices are highest
The ability to open and close the roof provides
growers with the ability to speed up or slow
down production to allow the managers to time
their peak production to the window when they
can realize the highest prices. The best prices
could be during the winter, being the first to
market in the spring, being able to supply good
quality through the heat of summer, or being
Climate Systems
Costs for power supply, backup power generation
and electrical hook up of motors can be
minimised since few motors are required to
power the roofs. (One motor can power up to
0.5 hectare of an A frame style roof and 1
hectare of flat roof ). The retractable roofs also
allow you to build in warmer climates where
heating systems will not be required.
Looking for a way to increase sales?
Retractable Roof
“We are subjected to wild weather
at times however with the Cravo
screens we know our crops are
protected all year round
which gives us peace of mind”
13
Retractable Screens
Cravo Retractable Roof Growing Systems
able to supply product in the Autumn after the
cold weather has limited the field production.
It all depends on your crop and the market that
you are competing in.
Reduce fertiliser usage
Reductions in fertiliser usage or improvements
in fertiliser usage should be achieved regardless
of whether your crops are normally grown
outside or in a greenhouse. Fertiliser usage
on outdoor crops can be improved since the
roof can be closed during rainfall to prevent
leaching of fertilisers. When compared to crops
grown in traditional greenhouses, fertiliser
application rates in retractable roofs can usually
be lowered since retracting the roof increases
transpiration levels to normal levels allowing
plants to more easily absorb and distribute the
nutrients that are available to the root system.
Reduce the risk of catastrophic loss
Retractable roof greenhouses can reduce the
risk of catastrophic loss to the owner due to:
• Crop loss due to a major disease outbreak
since plants grown in a retractable roof tend
to be naturally healthier and conditions
inside are generally not conducive to insect
and disease reproduction.
• Crop loss resulting from losing a roof due
to the wind since Cravo retractable roofs have
never blown off even during cyclones
with wind speeds up to 200kph (130mph).
• Structural damage during extreme weather
conditions since the roof and walls can be
automatically retracted in minutes.
• Fire, since the greenhouse roofs can be
retracted during a fire which will limit the
spread of fire.
Reduce or eliminate chemical fungicides,
pesticides and growth regulators
The frequency of chemical usage can be
significantly reduced when growing in a
retractable roof greenhouse due to the
improved growing conditions, increased plant
health and reduced insect reproduction making
it easier to utilize IPM protocols. If chemicals
are required, the volume of chemicals applied
in a retractable roof can be reduced compared
to that in the open field by closing the roof and
walls during the application to prevent wind
drift. Growers using retractable roof greenhouses
have experienced a:
• 50%-100% reduction in fungicide usage.
• 50%-100% reduction in growth regulator usage.
• 10% -100% reduction in pesticide usage.
• 50%-100% reductions in herbicide usage.
When calculating the total savings in reducing
chemical usage, one must consider that in the
retractable roof:
Climate Systems
• Soap and garlic is frequently used for
insect control.
14
• There is a reduced cost to purchase and
apply the chemicals.
• There is a potential reduction in labour
downtime due to re entry regulations.
• There is an increased life of the roof coverings
since many chemicals used in greenhouses
are harmful to polyethylene film coverings.
Thermal Screens
Maximise crop growth with
Svensson Thermal Shade Screens
Thermal screens are by far the most effective energy and cost saving
technology in the modern greenhouse. Thermal shade screens open when light
is limited and close when light is excessive. They also reduce heat loss, dew drop,
heating costs, and help to maintain a more constant and comfortable greenhouse
climate for your crop and your staff.
Is your greenhouse too hot?
Australia is one of the driest and sunniest
countries in the world. While this is great in
winter, summer heat is a big problem for many
growers. High temperatures are caused by
excessive light getting into the greenhouse.
Svensson Thermal Screens are made of
polished aluminium strips, which reflect light
straight back out of the greenhouse, keeping
crops cooler in summer creating a more
productive growing climate to increase yield.
With a life span of 8 - 10 years, Powerplants’
Thermal Screens give a phenomenal return
on investment.
Do you need to reduce costs in
your greenhouse?
On cloudy days or in the morning and late
afternoon, light becomes limited and plant
growth slows down. Powerplants Screens are
retracted automatically when light is required.
So on a cloudy day, the screens will open to let
in as much natural light as possible in order to
maximise growth. The screens are automatically
closed at dusk in order to trap as much heat as
possible for the night. This means that heating
costs are greatly reduced by 20 - 70%.
Climate Systems
16
Do you want to save on rising
energy prices?
Svensson Thermal Screens are made from
aluminium and polyester, which are excellent
insulators. Aluminium reflects long wave radiation
from the crop back down to the crop. While
the polyester absorbs long wave radiation
providing a warm ‘blanket’ above the crop,
reducing radiation and heat loss. With electricity
and gas prices rising, any savings can be spent
elsewhere and you’ll feel better about your
effect on the environment too.
“The Powerplants thermal
screens greatly reduce the
energy loss in my greenhouse”
- Steve Eggleton, Plant Growers Australia
Does your crop suffer from
recurring plant disease?
Thermal screens are designed to keep
crops warmer. This reduces the likelihood of
condensation forming on leaves, flowers and
fruit leading to fungal disease.
Thermal Screens
Light can be diffused by
XLS Harmony Revolux Screens
How to choose the right
type of thermal screen:
Most greenhouses are designed with good
natural roof ventilation. If you are growing in a
hot summer environment (most of Australia),
you need Open Weave Screens. These screens
have gaps between the aluminium strips that
allow warm air to rise through them, while the
strips reflect unwanted light back out of the
greenhouse. These screens still give significant
energy savings of up to 30%.
If you are growing in a cooler climate and have
high heating costs or if you need to modify the
day length, you need Closed Weave Screens.
These screens have a clear plastic strip between
the aluminium strips that helps trap heat, while
the aluminium strips reflect unwanted light
back out of the greenhouse. These screens give
very high energy savings of up to 70%.
Blackout screens are used to shorten or lengthen
the day for flowers like Chrysanthemum and
other crops. We can also install roll-up
blackout sidewalls.
We are the largest Thermal
Screen installer in Australasia
By using Powerplants you are guaranteed
quality parts and manufacturing. We use genuine
De Gier drive motors and parts from Holland,
which ensure long-term reliability. Most screen
fixing parts are stainless steel or aluminium not plastic, making the system last longer. We
also specialise in Rack and Pinion Drive and the
latest Slip Clutch Systems from Holland.
Our installers are the best in the business with
over 40 years experience between them. When
you choose Powerplants you are choosing the
best people to do the job.
Ask us about the new Harmony Diffused Light
Screens – giving even cooler crops with better
light penetration into the crop.
Climate Systems
17
Drive Systems and Components
Drive Systems and
Greenhouse Components
Powerplants wants to make life easier for our growers. There is no need to waste
valuable time opening and closing vents, rollup walls or shade screens. We can
automate everything that opens and shuts in your greenhouse. Dutch company
De Gier is one of the largest manufacturers of high quality Greenhouse Drive
Systems in the world. Almost all of their parts are interchangeable with Ridder
components, and together they are the world standard.
Do you have poor
ventilation in your greenhouse?
Older greenhouses can often be easily
ventilated with rollup walls in the sidewalls
or in the vertical walls above the gutters in
sawtooth’ designs. We can provide Tube-motors
that fit inside the rollup tube. For longer walls,
we stock the GXP10 from De Gier which can roll
up to 100 metre long walls. We can also provide
motors and gearboxes that can handle up to
180 metre length walls.
Do you need to
increase your yield?
Good climate control requires vent position
accuracy of 1%. The most accurate and reliable
way to open and close vents is with a Rack &
Pinion system. We stock a large range of parts
for lifting windows mounted in the roof of the
greenhouse. We can help you design and even
install them for you. Rack & Pinion Drive ensures
stress-free operation of your vents. We also
stock parts for direct and indirect vent drive
systems.
Climate Systems
Being the largest Thermal Screen installer in
Australia, we have all the parts you need to
install your own shading systems, from Cable
Drive Systems, to the most reliable Rack &
Pinion Drive Systems.
18
We stock a large range of De Gier drive
components and Shading System components
at competitive prices. As always, our trained
technicians can support you with whatever
system you have.
“We have improved our
ventilation significantly with
the use of De Gier racks, pinions
and motors in our glasshouse.”
- Billy Van Wyk,
Van Wyk & Sons Flower Supply Pty Ltd
Lights
Guarantee the best quality crop
all year round with HID Lights
High Pressure Sodium lamps are used by growers all around the world for
improved bud-set, increased growth, artificial growing environments and in
order to guarantee production out of season, usually when prices are highest.
Do you need extra light on
cloudy days or at night time?
Plants can be kept actively growing all year
round, making out of season crops possible
and boosting your income. Dormancy can be
prevented in some crops, and winter fruiting
can be induced by providing extra light
during Autumn.
Need to increase your yield?
In the production of roses, for instance,
production decreases substantially in late
autumn, winter and early spring. There are
fewer buds and many buds don’t flower. This
is mainly due to lack of light. Assimilation
(photosynthesis) lighting stimulates the growth
of young shoots and new buds by higher light
levels and the growth of already developed
buds by giving more hours per day of light.
The chemical reaction of Photosynthesis is:
Climate Systems
6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
(Carbon dioxide + water + light energy gives
sugar + oxygen)
20
The duration of light and dark periods
(photoperiodism) is also important to a plant’s
growth and reproduction. Vegetative growth
photoperiods are 16-18 hours per day,
flowering photoperiods are usually 10-14 hours
per day. This kind of lighting can be used to
trigger flowering in photoperiod sensitive
plants like Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia.
Usually growers use fluorescent bulbs to do
this, however these lights do not increase
growth significantly.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting allows
growers to increase crop yields, bring crops to
market on schedule and produce
quality crops out of season. The sun’s spectrum
contains visible light in every colour of the
rainbow; blue light appears at one end of the
spectrum, red light at the other.
Photosynthesis is promoted most strongly
by light in the red (600-680nm) and blue
(380-480nm) wavelength.
Blue light stimulates the hormones that
trigger growth and inhibit dormancy. Blue light
encourages chlorophyll production more than
any colour, which promotes photosynthesis,
resulting in thick leaves, solid stems and strong
vegetative growth. Blue light controls leaf fall
and fruit ripening. Blue light also serves to keep
plant growth compact by minimising the
distance between internodes (branches).
Metal Halide lamps emit light strongly in the
white/blue spectrum and are best used as a
primary light source if little or no sunlight is
available. This type of lamp is ideal during the
vegetative growth stage. The MH lamps help
to keep plants shorter, with more compact
vegetation and the plants will be stronger,
better able to resist disease, and are generally
more productive. MH lighting systems are best
for mostly leafy crops such as lettuce and other
vegetative crops.
Lights
Red light is important for plant reproduction.
It regulates seed germination, root
development, tuber and bulb formation,
flowering and fruit production. Red light is also
responsible for triggering dormancy in some
plants. The red portion of the spectrum is
essential to plant growth, and encourages the
flowering, fruiting and reproductive stages.
High Pressure Sodium lamps emit light in the
orange/red spectrum and are best used in
conjunction with natural sunlight. This type of
lamp produces exaggerated flowering and
fruiting during the plants reproductive stage.
HPS lighting systems can increase flower
production by 20% or more.
Both Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium
Bulbs can be used in the same lamp.
Powerplants works with leading Dutch light
manufacturer Lights Interaction Agro (Liagro)
to provide state of the art lighting solutions.
Liagro’s reflectors are designed for maximum
spread of light, ensuring uniformity and
excellent penetration of light into the crop.
They feature a light yield of 92%.
The 600W and 1000W Lamps feature Philips
Electronic Ballasts, which saves approximately
5% power, compared to conventional ballasts.
Philips’ World leading Bulbs also feature in
our Lamps.
“The Powerplants Growth
lights ensure we can produce
all season long”
- Ben Ellerton, Ball Australia
Coming soon - LED Lamps
Climate Systems
21
Circulation Fans
Control Disease with
Aeromax Circulation Fans
Good air movement around plants is vital to their health. Air movement reduces
fungal disease on leaves, flowers and fruit, increases transpiration which in turn
increases leaf cooling and nutrient uptake, brings fresh CO² to the leaf and
improves plant health and vigour. The most efficient way to increase air flow
around plants is with Horizontal Air Flow Circulation Fans.
Looking for a way to
reduce crop disease?
When the greenhouse cools down at night, the
plants and other solid objects cool down faster
than the air does. If the air next to the plant is
still, it will cool down faster than the surrounding
air, then drop excess condensation on the
leaves. Fungi can then germinate on the leaves.
You can reduce or eliminate this by keeping the
air moving and the leaves dry with the Aeromax
circulation fans.
Climate Systems
Aeromax Circulation fans mix the air in the
greenhouse thoroughly, bringing the warm air
to the plants. Uniform temperature and
humidity across the greenhouse are vital to
ensure even production.
22
Want to reduce plant
temperature in summer?
Just as people feel cooler when there is a
breeze, so do plants. By using Aeromax
Circulation fans, plant transpiration will
increase, enabling the crop to stay cooler.
Having problems effectively
distributing chemical products?
Aeromax fans greatly improve the distribution of
chemical applications, especially to the leaves.
They enable you to spray the entire greenhouse
without being there. Ask us about this labour
saving system.
If the air is still, oxygen levels near the leaves
will be used up, and its continued availability to
the plants will be diminished. The solution is to
keep the air moving to provide your crop with
a continually refreshed supply of CO2 , which is
one of the main growth ingredients.
“The Powerplants circulation
fans are a great help for
keeping my crops healthy!”
- Peter Henderson,
Henderson Clause Seed Group
We can also supply Nivola
Vertical Air Mixing fans
Serial HAF Ventilation
Think you don’t need
ventilation fans…think again
‘I don’t need fans because
I have good ventilation’
Most vents will be shut or mostly shut in the
late afternoon until the next morning, so there
is very little ventilation when the plants need it
the most. Leaving the vents open at night will
only make the problem worse as the air
temperature will be much lower, resulting in
even more condensation.
‘I don’t need fans because
I have good heating’
Crops like tomatoes generate an enormous
amount of water vapour during the day. Much
of this moisture is retained in the greenhouse at
night. A good hydronic heating system can help
create an updraught and dry the plants, but
this costs a great deal of energy. Much of this
energy cost can be saved by using Horizontal
Airflow Fans (HAF) in addition to the heat to dry
the foliage.
Circulation Fans
Vertical air circulation
Inexpensive to run and quiet:
The Aeromax fan runs at 900rpm but due to
the superior 6 pole motor, it has more torque,
giving similar airflow at lower running cost and
also far less noise compared to single speed
1450rpm fans.
High output:
Approximately 4,700m3 per hour.
Approximately 1 HAF fan per 350m2 of
greenhouse area.
Maximum throw approximately 45m.
Aim for 1.5 to 2 air changes per hour of total
greenhouse air volume.
Sulphur Pots
are the most
economical tool
against mildew.
We can install
them in series
with your fans
‘Running fans at night is expensive’
Three speed fan:
The fan run at 900rpm. This gives you more
control and far less noise compared to single
speed 1450rpm fans.
Climate Systems
The capital cost of Circulation Fans is very
low - between $0.80 - $2.00 per square metre
of greenhouse treated. The running costs are
almost negligible compared to the benefits
they produce. Each fan draws approximately
150 Watts and based on $0.15 per kWHr, costing
only $0.0225 per hour. They are one of the best
value investments in the greenhouse.
23
Electrical Installations
Powerplants Electrical Installations
Due to market forces, the trend in protected horticulture is for ever increasing
project sizes with increasing levels of complexity.
This left a big question-mark when going to
the bank for a loan for a greenhouse project.
All materials used meet or exceed Australian
Standards.
Now we can integrate all your systems with
our own licensed electricians and specialised
know-how. We can also give you a fixed price
for the electrical systems and installation for
your project.
What’s more, as a Master Electrician,
Powerplants works to the highest possible
standard in electrical installations.
Would you like to reduce
capital costs?
With any new project, extension or upgrade it is
important to know what the overall cost of the
work will be and how quickly the work can be
completed.
Powerplants’ team of electricians, apprentices
and technicians are trained to carry out this
type of work efficiently and to a high standard.
This is possible by utilising many years of
experience and by training our staff in the
latest technology.
Also, as Powerplants has become a major
supplier of electrical installations in the
protected cropping industry in Australia, we
can draw on our purchasing power to reduce
the cost of materials to the customer.
Climate Systems
Therefore Powerplants can offer competitive
quotes for this type of work.
24
Looking for a way to
reduce OH & S risk?
Previously, growers have had to rely on local
electrical contractors for their installation, and
they were not familiar with the complexities of
a complete greenhouse operating system.
The resulting installations often became
unnecessarily expensive and systems installed
were often non-standard and integrated poorly
with control systems.
Need to optimise your
construction timeline?
With many years of experience, Powerplants
can carry out electrical installations very
efficiently. Also, when working on projects
with our partners AIS Greenworks and Van der
Hoeven glasshouse builders, we can further
minimise any potential delay by working
closely with other contractors.
Powerplants are committed to national OH & S
safety laws and regulations. The implementation
of the Safety Connect site safety management
system confirms Powerplants commitment to
the regulations.
All work carried out by Powerplants is signed off
and certified by our fully qualified electricians.
Need systems which give
you peace of mind?
When selecting Powerplants to supply and
install your electrical systems, you have the
peace of mind that the system features manual
override control of all components of the
system, where possible. This means that in the
unlikely event of a control system failure, you
always have manual control of the system.
Furthermore, as all Powerplants systems utilise
locally available components, your system will
not be down for long waiting for parts to arrive
as components are available locally.
Australia has a wiring standard specifically
designed to cope with our extreme climatic
conditions. As a Master Electrician, Powerplants
complies rigidly to these standards. This
virtually eliminates the possibility of failure of
a system due to poor design or installation.
Overall, our systems and service are designed
to ensure that your crop needs will always
continue be our concern.
Powerplants Electrical Installation
Services Include:
Ask us for a quote today
We buy cable direct from the manufacturers.
We are very familiar with all greenhouse motors,
pumps, boilers and other systems.
Cable tray
Where necessary, we install cable tray along the
main cable runs where cable is required, more
cables can easily be added later.
Interface panels
We manufacture our own interface panels at
our facility here in Australia, and use locally
available relays, soft-starters, etc. Our electrical
panels give you manual control of all
equipment.
General
We can also supply and install lights, powerpoints, and GroSound speakers throughout
the greenhouse and the packing shed.
Backup Generators & Lightning Protection
We can help you with backup generators for
the peace of mind you need to know your
greenhouse investment is protected. We
can also advise on reducing your risk of
lightning strike.
Climate Systems
Low Voltage Electrical Systems,
Sensors and Control
With the installation, extension or upgrade
of control systems (Minigrow, Omnigrow,
Multigrow, Maximizer, Intégro, Connext), we can
supply and run all the sensor wires, which are
high quality instrumentation cable. We allow for
plenty of spare wires for future expansion. We
can also run all the low voltage control wires to
motor control boxes, limit switches and
solenoid valves, etc.
Electrical installation is a
major consideration for your
greenhouse to succeed. Find
out how Powerplants can
provide electrical services and
electricians with the expertise
you need to get it done right.
Electrical Installations
25
NutriJet
Priva NutriJet – for fast recipe
changes and field applications
The Priva NutriJet is a compact, reliable, direct injection fertiliser dosing unit.
Unlike other direct injection systems on the
market, the Priva NutriJet features a unique
mixing chamber with built in fertiliser injectors.
The Priva-designed patented Mixing Chamber
contains baffles and provides a turbulent
mixing of the nutrients and acid/alkali.
Designed to interface with the Priva range of
controllers, the Priva NutriJet is supplied as
standard with pump, one or two mixing
chambers, 4 dosing injectors, filter, water
meter and control interface.
Looking for a more efficient way
of using water and fertiliser?
A significant advantage with direct injection is
the ability to quickly change recipes to suit the
requirements of different crops or crops at
different stages of growth.
Unlike mixing tank systems, the NutriJet unit
contains a relatively small quantity of water and
dissolved fertiliser which means that recipe
changes can be effected very quickly as there is
no need to empty a tank mix first.
This not only ensures that each irrigation zone
receives the required nutrition but also provides
significant savings in water.
Water Systems
The Priva NutriJet can also be configured to
include a blending valve and pre-EC sensor to
blend fresh and recycled drain water prior to
the unit. By recycling drain water, the grower
not only significantly saves on water but
also fertiliser.
26
Want to save energy?
Because the Priva NutriJet is a direct injection
system it only features one pump. Compared to
mixing tank based systems which feature a fill
and an irrigation pump, the NutriJet is
significantly more economic unit to operate.
In situations where there is an existing pump,
the NutriJet can be configured and delivered as
a ByPass unit. This is particularly applicable in
high flow applications such as field irrigation. In
these applications the NutriJet can accurately
dose fertiliser and adjust pH directly into the
existing irrigation main line.
Need to improve plant
yield and health?
By being able to quickly effect a recipe change,
the NutriJet ensures each irrigation zone receives
the desired nutrition to optimise plant growth.
Because of the unique mixing chamber design,
the NutriJet is able to thoroughly mix water and
dissolved fertiliser. This provides a much
improved control of nutrition, EC and pH
compared to other direct injection systems on
the market today.
Specifications
• Capacity range 5 - 80 m³/hr.
• Up to 10 individual and adjustable fertiliser
dosing channels per unit.
• Single Grundfos pump sized to suit
requirements.
• Disc filters for A & B solution.
• Rotameter Flowgauges on nutrient channels.
• High quality Priva sensors & controls.
• Available in two configurations: InLine
injection system or Bypass system for larger
system applications such as field production.
• Water recycling using the optional water
blending valve and pre-EC sensor.
The Priva NutriJet is ideally suited to nurseries,
flower production and field production of
vegetables, fruit or flowers.
NutriFit
Priva NutriFit
Fertiliser Dosing System
Although there are a number of fertiliser dosing units on the market,
the Priva NutriFit is unique.
The NutriFit is a mixing tank based dosing unit.
The NutriFit works by injecting water soluble
fertilisers into the on-board mixing tank and
thoroughly mixing the fertiliser with water. The
result is a stable, homogeneous solution with
the desired fertiliser concentration. The system
is equipped with dual EC and pH sensors to
measure the concentration of the nutrient
solution accurately.
The ingenious design of the NutriFit includes
a moulded base and tank design which
incorporates features which allow for easy
handling of the unit for transport but also
minimises pipe support and fixing.
The NutriFit can be configured to inject up to 4
different fertiliser solutions simultaneously, or 3
fertiliser solutions and acid/alkali.
The Priva NutriFit can also be configured to
draw from different sets of A & B tanks, or
recipes. Up to 4 recipes (4 x A & B tanks) can be
connected and controlled.
Powerplants supplies the Priva NutriFit with: fill
and irrigation pumps, float actuated fill valve,
dosing channels, dual EC and pH sensors, filter,
water meter and electrical panel.
How can I improve my crop yield?
Want to save water and fertiliser?
By being able to accurately control water and
fertiliser dosing there is no need to irrigate to
excess which saves both water and fertiliser.
The NutriFit can be configured to include an
actuator controlled blend valve and pre-EC
sensor. With these the Priva controllers can
accurately control the blending of recycled
irrigation drain water with fresh water. By
recycling drain water the grower can significantly
reduce water consumption and fertiliser use.
For more information on drain water
disinfection please refer to the Powerplants
EcoLux and Priva Vialux.
How do I reduce my capital costs?
The new generation NutriFit is designed to
offer accurate and reliable fertigation at a more
affordable price. It is modular and made of
durable materials with a minimum number of
moving parts. This helps to reduce cost of the
system without sacrificing performance,
reliability or durability.
The NutriFit can be integrated with new or
existing Priva systems.
One of the most important aspects of crop
yield is ensuring accurate irrigation and plant
nutrition.
The NutriFit has been specifically designed to
complement the complete range of Priva
controllers to provide the most accurate dosing
of dissolved fertiliser with water.
Water Systems
Although there are a number of control systems
available to control irrigation and dosing, these
systems are of little use if the hardware does not
match the control specifications.
27
DirectJet
Powerplants’ DirectJet Fertigation Fast Changes and Economical
Powerplants’ DirectJet is an ideal solution for growers with different crops and
crops at different stages, where smaller applications of different nutrients need
to be made.
As with all other fertiliser dosing systems, the
DirectJet is connected to A and B fertiliser stock
solution tanks filled with fertiliser concentrate
(usually 100:1 concentration).
These tanks contain soluble fertilisers dissolved
in water. The dissolved fertilisers are sucked
through dosing valves and fertiliser injectors,
then they are mixed with water through the
pump and filter before being pumped to
the crop.
Are you constantly worried about
your crop quality and yield?
Water Systems
As any grower knows, optimum production
is achieved by balancing the ideal plant
environment with the ideal irrigation and
nutrition.
28
In production systems where there are a range
of different species or varieties of crops, such as
nursery and flower production, it is important
that each crop receives the ideal irrigation and
nutrition.
Unlike mixing tank systems, eg. Powerplants
NutriMix, Priva NutriFit, and Priva NutriFlex, the
Powerplants DirectJet does not feature a mixing
tank but the nutrient is mixed directly in line
with the water for irrigation.
Without a tank of mixed nutrient that needs to
be emptied before changing nutrient mixes, the
DirectJet has almost no delay when changing
from one mix to another therefore ensuring
each valve, and therefore crop, receives the
ideal irrigation quantity and nutrition.
DirectJet
Left: The importance of pH - Having the right nutrient
balance available to plants is only possible if the pH
in the plant root zone is also in the correct range. This
figure clearly shows that micro-nutrients are mostly
available at a lower pH, while macronutrients are
generally more available at a higher pH. For this
reason, to achieve the best balance, most plants
prefer a pH of 5.6 to 5.8.
Want to make sure your
fertiliser is easily mixed and
always stays in solution?
Add Powerplants stock solution tanks
and motorised stirrers to your DirectJet
Do you need assistance to reduce
plant nutrition deficiencies?
The DirectJet can mix a maximum of five
solutions simultaneously, eg. four fertiliser
solutions and one acid/alkaline solution. The
entire process is controlled via a process
controller, for example the Priva Maximizer,
Intégro, Connext or Multigrow. Because there
is no mixing tank, the changes in recipes are
almost instant. The DirectJet can also
be fitted with recipe selection to allow the
selection of up to 4 different A & B solutions.
These features allow the grower to select, with
each irrigation cycle, the appropriate feed for
each crop while being able to set the system
to vary the irrigation volume and EC from one
cycle to the next depending on the climatic
conditions at the time of the day.
Do you want to reduce
your capital costs?
The simpler construction of the DirectJet with
only one pump, no mixing tank, and tank fill
control makes the system more economical
than equivalent mixing tank systems without
compromising on control or reliability.
Do you need a reliable
fertiliser dosing system?
Proudly made by Powerplants’ in Melbourne,
the DirectJet is made for Australian growers in
Australian conditions.
Features of the DirectJet include:
• A long lasting corrosion resistant
and durable frame.
• Durable stainless steel pump with
fertiliser resistant Viton seals.
• Manual over-ride switches to provide manual
control of the DirectJet in the unlikely event
of a controller malfunction.
• Easy to clean and service irrigation filter
and dosing channel filters.
• Dual EC and pH sensors to provide maximum
protection and reliability by continuously
monitoring the EC and pH of the water/
fertiliser mix going to the crop.
• Accurate flow meter with electronic output
connected to the controller. This measures
the flow rate and volume of irrigation
being applied.
The DirectJet is available in standard capacities
ranging from 6 - 24 m3/hr (6,000 - 24,000 litres
per hour). Special capacity units and options are
also available on request.
Water Systems
29
NutriMix
Powerplants NutriMix Accurate and Reliable Fertigation
The Powerplants NutriMix MT series fertiliser dosing systems are designed and
built by Powerplants to local regulations and using locally available materials.
The NutriMix MT series is designed around the mixing tank system principle and
is available in a range of capacities and with a range of options.
Need an effective way to
increase your yield and
the quality of the crop?
The crop environment has a significant effect on
plant health and crop yield. However, water and
nutrition have a more immediate and dramatic
effect on the aspects of crop production.
Therefore the accurate delivery of water and
nutrient are vital to ensure optimum yield and
quality.
To achieve this requires a combination of a
good control system with the most optimum
settings and a dosing system to match. The
controller measures the EC and pH then, based
on what has been set by the grower, controls
the dosing channels on the NutriMix to achieve
the desired EC and pH.
Water Systems
Because the NutriMix has been designed to
match the range of controllers available from
Powerplants and to suit Australian conditions,
this is an ideal dosing system for hydroponic
production.
30
The NutriMix MT series is also available in a
wide range of capacities with several options to
suit almost every application.
A popular option with growers is chemical
injection. This option includes a chemical
injector which is controlled by the controller
and injects prior to the filter to ensure accurate
dosing with minimum froth build-up.
Want to minimise risk?
The MT series fertiliser dosing system is supplied
complete, requiring only minimal connections
on site. This means your fertiliser dosing system
can be installed and operating in the minimum
of time. Moreover as systems are made to order,
they are designed and constructed to best
match your application.
Many parts of Australia can endure extreme
climatic conditions compared to many parts of
the world. During these challenging conditions
it is vital that the plants continue to receive the
required level of irrigation and nutrition
without interruption.
•
Furthermore, in the very unlikely event that
a part of the system fails, the grower has the
assurance that parts are readily available in
Australia as the system is constructed using
locally available materials.
The standard NutriMix is
delivered complete with:
Also, if an issue arises where the controller is
no longer able to control the NutriMix system
automatically the system features a wide range
of manual controls which allow the grower to
easily continue operating the unit manually
until automatic control is restored.
“The NutriMix is great because it
feeds when required and knows
how much is needed without me
having to intervene.”
- Anthony Lam, Lamato Farms
Other special features to
minimise risk include:
• High grade rust resistant frame.
• Stainless steel fill pump matched in capacity
to the stainless steel irrigation pump.
• Fill rate control valve.
• Mixing tank with high and low level sensors
and float controlled inlet valve.
• Stainless steel irrigation pump designed to
provide both the required flow rate for
irrigation and drive the dosing channels.
• Dosing injectors with flow indicators,
diaphragm adjustment valves, and quick
action dosing valves.
• Stock tank suction lines, filters and isolation
valves are supplied with each system.
• Dual high quality EC and pH sensors in a
sensor loop.
• EC and pH interfaces to specifically suit a
range of Powerplants controllers .
• Easy to clean filter.
• Water meter.
• Manual override control.
Options for the
NutriMix MT series include:
• Blend valve with actuator and pre-EC sensor
for blending fresh and recycled drain water.
• Multiple dosing channels.
• Auto stock tank balancing.
• Tank selection valves for multiple recipes.
Also available from Powerplants:
•
•
•
•
Stock Solution Tanks with conical, cleanable
bases and flush valves.
Acid Alkali Tanks with graduated markings.
Electric Stirrers with stainless steel shaft
and blade.
Stirrer Timer Boxes with easy-to-set timers,
automatically switch stirrer motors. This
saves power while ensuring the stock is
always evenly mixed.
Water Systems
• Outlet pressure regulation to ensure the
pressure from the system never exceeds the
maximum pressure allowed in the irrigation
system.
• 3 pressure gauges showing the fill pressure,
discharge pressure and post filter pressure.
The operator can see at a glance whether
the system is operating correctly and when
the filter needs cleaning.
• Fill pump bypass which allows the grower to
irrigate using the fill pump in the unlikely
event the irrigation pump fails.
• High quality serviceable venturi injectors are
used in the dosing channels. Venturis fail shut
in case of irrigation pump failure which
protects the system from fertiliser and/or
acid/alkali overdose.
• Flow indicators and diaphragm adjustment
valves on each dosing channel accurately
control injection flow rate. This ensures the
fertiliser injection rate can be accurately
controlled.
• Auto stock tank balancing option ensures
each dosing channel delivers fertiliser equally.
This ensures the fertiliser balance remains
optimum.
Dual EC and pH sensors - the second sensor
allows the control system to check one
sensor against the other, thereby preventing
the possibility of crop damage due to poorly
calibrated sensors.
NutriMix
The Powerplants NutriMix MT series has been
specifically designed for these conditions. The
unit has proven to be able to cope with the
harshest of conditions with the highest level of
reliability.
31
Ecolux
Powerplants Ecolux
UV Water Disinfection Unit
As many growers know, plants need a reliable source of water and fertiliser for
optimum growth.
With reliable water sources becoming increasingly difficult to find and fertiliser
prices increasing all the time, it is more important now than ever to use water
and fertiliser efficiently.
Need to ensure your water
is safe to use?
Although there are many different technologies
available for fresh water disinfection, few have
been independently tested and even fewer
feature built in checking mechanisms which
ensure that water is treated to the desired level.
Even more importantly, few technologies have
no residual effects after treatment which could
affect plant growth.
Water Systems
UV disinfection is proven technology which
has been independently verified, by research
stations in The Netherlands - world leaders in
protected cropping technology - to be effective
against bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses.
This concept has been in use particularly in
Europe but also other parts of the world for a
number of decades. This allows growers to
reliably recycle their runoff water saving on
fertiliser and water costs.
32
After looking at all different technologies
available, Powerplants is pleased to bring you
the Ecolux, an economical and highly
effective Low Pressure UV water disinfection
system designed specifically for the protected
cropping and nursery industries. The system has
been developed based on principles developed
by manufacturers in The Netherlands.
Need to save around 50% on
your fertiliser costs every year?
As well as treating fresh water only, the EcoLux
has also been developed by Powerplants to
treat recycled irrigation water by being able to
treat blended fresh and drain irrigation water.
Typically this water has low UV transmission
compared to rain water, town water or bore water.
Apart from ensuring the water is safe to use
this is a true benefit to growers by saving water
and fertiliser and therefore money. Tests have
proven that fertiliser savings of 50% or more
are achievable, along with similar savings in
water use.
Ecolux
Worried about high
maintenance costs?
The fact that the EcoLux unit is manufactured
in Australia using locally available materials
is a huge advantage, meaning the unit is
compatible with locally available fittings. The
unit can be tailored to each grower’s specific
requirements. Servicing can be carried out
quickly and easily when required, and there
is less chance of necessary parts being out
of stock.
As the name suggests, the EcoLux is an
economical alternative to other UV water
disinfection systems, mostly manufactured
in Europe.
“The Ecolux has helped our farm
significantly save on fertiliser
cost and reduce our town water
usage by around 30%”
- Hok Lam, Austral Hydroponics
How can I reduce the
company OH & S risk?
Do you want to decrease your
running costs?
The only inputs required for the EcoLux are
power, some acid, and maintenance.
• The power requirement is low as the lamps
used in the EcoLux are only 300 Watts each.
• Acid is only required to clean the quartz tube.
The amount of acid used is regulated by the
EcoLux and is only injected when necessary.
• The lamps need to be replaced after 9,000
hours of operation. This is almost twice as
long as high pressure UV lamps used in High
Pressure UV systems.
Water Systems
Some popular forms of water treatment rely
on the injection of chemicals which although
effective against certain plant health risks are
also potentially hazardous to the user. These
include forms of liquid chlorine, chlorine
dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide.
The EcoLux only uses UV light and does not rely
on chemical treatment. Only a small amount of
acid is used for cleaning of the quartz tube. The
acid can be used in undiluted form so the only
time the operator is potentially exposed to the
chemical is the few times when swapping the
suction tube from one drum to another.
Compared to Heat Treatment the EcoLux
has a low running cost.
For example, the pasteurisation process
involves pre-filtering the water to 50 – 70
micron, then pH adjusting the water to 4.5 to
avoid calcium deposits, then heating the water
to 95ºC for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Finally the water is cooled and stored. 1 to 1.5m3
of gas is needed to treat each m3 (1,000 litres) of
water. The cost of energy is high, the
water temperature is increased which is not
desirable during summer months, and the pH is
too low for crop production.
33
Vialux
Priva Vialux UV
Water Disinfection Unit
As water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, growers are affected
in a number of ways including: increased cost of water, poor water quality,
greater expense in securing a good water supply (eg. deeper bores and/or
longer pipelines).
Independently tested by the research station
Do you want to reduce
in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, the Priva Vialux
disease in your crops ?
As many growers know, to grow a good crop
you need to start with a reliable high quality
water source. This means water with low
mineral content and without disease.
Growers are increasingly facing more water
supply issues. These include: decreasing water
availability, higher cost of water and deteriorating
water quality. To still maintain good production
levels and quality, growers look at ways to treat
their water supply to ensure it is safe to use with
their crops.
Water Systems
A good way to ensure the water source is safe
to use is by disinfecting the water supply with a
suitable method of disinfection. Although there
are a number of disinfection methods that have
been tried, one that has proven particularly
reliable is UV disinfection.
34
has proven effective against all major threats to
plant health including bacterial disease, fungal
infections, nematodes and even viruses. The
level of treatment can be set by the operator
and because the system is self regulating and
self-monitoring, the grower can be rest
assured the water is safe to use.
Are your water and fertilising
costs too high?
To reduce salt build-up in the media, growers
know that it is important to irrigate to excess.
The amount of drain will vary with crop and
time of year but can be as much as 60%.
Traditionally growers did not re-use the drain
water because of the risk of spreading any
disease that may be present in the crop.
Moreover with the drain water the grower also
loses the fertiliser that forms part of the drain.
Vialux
The Priva Vialux has been specifically designed
to treat recirculated drain water. One of the
greatest benefits of the Vialux is that it has little
effect on the nutrients present in the drain
water. This means that the grower gets the full
benefit of the nutrients so the grower can not
only save on water use but also fertiliser use.
This can save up to 60% of the fertiliser use.
Typical fertiliser saving is $37,500 per ha per year.
What is important is that the drain water is
tested on a regular basis and the A and B stock
tank fertiliser mixes are adjusted to ensure the
nutrient balance for the crop remains consistent.
Do you need a way to
save on energy costs ?
The Priva Vialux automatically varies not only
the flow rate of water being treated but also
Other UV treatment systems use an array of
Low Pressure lamps which typically cannot vary
lamp power level.
Priva Vialux systems offer the best total solution
for supply water disinfection. The system
demands little energy and minimum
maintenance and ensures pathogen-free water.
Do you want to protect yourself
against potential crop disease?
Unlike other UV systems that pump water past a
UV lamp and hope for the best, the Priva Vialux
measures the light transmission of the water
and adjusts the radiation dose accordingly. It
has a sophisticated self-diagnosis system that
ensures that if the water is not properly
disinfected, it will be returned to the water
supply and an alarm will be triggered.
The system also cleans itself. Then when
transmission drops further the system frequently
back-flushes the lamp with acid to clean it
Water Systems
UV disinfection is also energy efficient compared
to some other types of water disinfection, such
as heat treatment. Heat treatment involves
lowering the pH of the water to be treated to
4.5. Typical energy use ranges between 20 m3
and 40 m3 of natural gas per m3 water treated.
the lamp power level. This is to ensure that the
minimum amount of energy is used to achieve
the desired level of treatment.
35
Vialux
Priva Vialux UV Disinfection Water Unit
(a motorised wiper automatically cleans the
lamp). You can be sure that your treated water is
completely free of disease.
Specifications of
Vialux High Pressure UV
• The high pressure (HP/UV) system produces
UV-C radiation between 200-300nm.
• No reduction in pH levels.
• No change in the nutrient levels of the
water*, therefore, no nutrients are wasted.
• Automatic cleaning during use - including
automatic lamp wiping and acid backwash
of lamp.
• Power level control for reduced power
consumption.
• Process control and safeguarding by Priva
process computer.
• Automatic T10 (UV transmission through
water) calculation and continuous
monitoring of UV transmission.
• Computer-controlled disinfection process.
• Transmission values can be as low as 20%,
allowing disinfection of unmixed drain water.
• Simple design, low maintenance, stand-alone
unit - one exposure chamber, one UV lamp
and one UV-C measurement.
• Fast, safe and pollution-free treatment of
micro-organisms Includes tank control
software.
• Multiple flow rates available.
• Full system design is recommended
- contact us in the early stages of planning.
Water Systems
* Note: UV treatment has a small effect on
chelated nutrients. This effect can be minimised
by careful selection of the chelate. Please contact
us for more information.
36
“We recycle all of our water and don’t
want to take chances with water
quality. The Vialux makes sure all the
water we use is safe for our crops”
- Tony Bundock, Chisholm Institute of Tafe
How Priva UV disinfection works
Dirt particles are always present in drain water.
Particles suspended in the water cause shadows
and may allow disease through. Before the
Vialux process begins, the water must be
filtered, using for example, a slow-acting sand
filter, very fine screen or disc filter(s).
The water to be disinfected is pumped
through the radiation chamber with significant
turbulence, ensuring that all the water is
exposed to the UV radiation for the same
amount of time, and at the same level of
intensity. The single lamp in the Vialux is
enclosed in a quartz tube, and irradiates the
water passed through the chamber with
UV-C light.
The UV-C intensity used to irradiate the water is
measured by a built in calibrated UV-C sensor.
The UV disinfection system works by using
active UV-C radiation. This has a wavelength
of approximately 250 nanometers, and alters
the DNA of micro-organisms, such as microbes,
bacteria and moulds, thereby destroying them.
UV-C light can also kill viruses.
The permeability of UV-C light depends on the
transmission level of the water. The Vialux
automatically calculates and operates at the
optimum radiation level by continuously
monitoring the water being treated.
For selective disinfection (microbes, bacteria
and moulds) the UV-C intensity is 80 - 100mJ/
cm2 is used, and for total disinfection (including
all viruses), the minimum UV-C dose is 250mJ/
cm2 is standard. These lethal doses render
pathogens completely inactive. The disinfected
water is then pumped into a ‘treated water’ tank
for irrigation using the Fertiliser Dosing System.
The Powerplants Minigrow is a simple, inexpensive and easy to use climate
controller. The Minigrow is a compact controller that has four relay outputs
and can switch 24V AC or DC. It can accept signals from a number of different
sensors; has a large backlit display and is easy to understand.
Minigrow
Automation and Control
with a Minigrow computer
Need to increase crop quality?
The Powerplants Minigrow provides you with
the possibility to control some of the most
important environmental features in your
greenhouse. The Powerplants Minigrow
measures temperature, humidity, wind speed
and rain (optional). It uses these measurements
to proportionally open the vents. Minigrow
Screen Controller controls one to two sets
of screens. It can be configured for indoor or
outdoor use. The accurate control you will have
over your greenhouse will result in better
quality crop!
Looking for a way to decrease
the chance for crop disease?
Minigrow Fog Controller controls one or two
separate fogging zones independently. It measures
temperature and humidity in each zone and
maintains a set humidity, with temperature
overrides. By controlling the humidity in your
greenhouse with the Minigrow, the chance for
crop disease is drastically reduced!
Want to spend less time at work
and more time at home?
The Minigrow gives you the opportunity to
automatically control your greenhouse! The
Minigrow removes the need for constant
manual control; this will give you more time
to spend at home!
Getting frustrated with the
increasing energy costs?
The Minigrow helps saving unnecessary costs
by providing accurate control over temperature,
humidity, wind speed and rain. By switching
from several unintegrated control systems to
the Minigrow your greenhouse will be managed
in a more efficient way, resulting in significant
energy savings.
Minigrow Mist and Irrigation Controller (Solar)
controls up to four misting or irrigation valves
independently. It measures solar radiation
and sets off misting or irrigation when the
accumulated solar energy reaches a set target
(in Joules), for a set on-time, then starts
accumulating again. It therefore mists or
irrigates more often on sunny days than
cloudy days and has time based backups.
There are software versions with combinations
of the above applications.
Control Systems
Make sure you never miss a mist!
37
Omnigrow
Automate Your Greenhouse
with an Omnigrow Computer
The Omnigrow climate controller provides the user with a simple, inexpensive
and easy to use system for controlling your greenhouse.
Do you want to spend more time at home and less time at work?
With the Omnigrow System all options for
controlling greenhouse equipment are accessed
via descriptive prompts such as: ‘Screens close
if light is greater than’ [set-point] w/m2. You
simply use the up and down arrows to change
the set-point, then press the Accept button.
Moreover, the computer can run automatically
at night and while you are away on holiday,
giving you peace of mind.
Want your Greenhouse climate
being automatically controlled
with high accuracy?
Control Systems
Rather than having separate controllers running
climate control equipment according to
different sensors, this controller gives integrated
control of the greenhouse climate. Vents are
opened gradually in small steps, resulting in
less wasted heat, effective humidity control
and more stable conditions for the plants.
The integrated automatic controls improves
planning, making your operation more efficient.
38
Looking for a cost effective way
to control your greenhouse?
At less than half of the price of imported
controllers, the Omnigrow range of controllers
offers you great value for money. With years of
development, the Omnigrow is a proven
greenhouse controller.
Australian Made
The Omnigrow is made entirely in Australia.
Not only are you supporting Australian jobs,
you are receiving local support superior to the
imported controllers, because the person who
makes the controllers can also service them.
The Omnigrow can be configured to control a
combination of greenhouse equipment. It can
open or close vents and shade screens, it can
turn fans on or off (circulation and exhaust),
fogging systems, irrigation, heating and
cooling, depending on the input received from
a variety of sensors. You can alter all of your
set-points for acceptable levels of light,
humidity, temperature, rain and wind.
Do you need to ensure your plants
are protected from rain damage?
The moisture/rain sensor responds
continuously to the amount of water on its
sensing element. The reading is not affected
by the salinity/conductivity of the water. It is
largely used where vents or walls need to be
shut when it rains.
Omnigrow
Research glasshouse at AgriBioScience Research Centre at Latrobe University
Increase yield and quality, reduce disease and
costs and save water and energy!!
Put your mind at rest knowing
your Greenhouse is protected
from high winds!
“The Omnigrow allows the
environmental flexibility and
control we require “
-Steve Eggleton, Plant Growers Australia
The relative humidity/temperature sensor is
the most important sensor used in the
Omnigrow’s control. It is used to control vent/
wall openings, fogging, heating, cooling and
retractable screens and is housed in our
Climasense. Suspended in the centre of the
greenhouse, the Climasense has a small fan
which increases accuracy. Temperature
measurement is necessary to control vent/wall
opening, heating, cooling and fogging,
to maintain a more constant environment for
your crop. The relative humidity sensor is an
electronic sensor that measures the
percentage of water vapour in the air, a critical
tool to control fogging systems and vents. This
unique sensor is easily interchangeable and, if
replaced, does not require re-calibration.
Outputs
The Omnigrow has ten switching outputs that
can switch various types of devices.
Control Systems
The wind speed sensor’s main application is
for climate control situations that require the
vents/wall openings to be modified according
to wind strength. At moderate wind speeds
the wall/vent openings can be reduced in
proportion to the wind speed. Above critical
wind speeds will prompt the vent/wall
openings to shut completely to avoid damage.
The wind direction sensor is used only in
combination with the wind speed sensor. A
climate controller that measures wind speed
and wind direction can perform more
sophisticated control of the vents and/or wall
openings. For example vents/walls facing into
the wind can have openings reduced, whereas
vents/walls facing away from the wind can have
openings increased.
Do you struggle with
controlling plant disease?
39
Multigrow
The Multigrow control system
The Multigrow is a revolutionary control system that has been specifically
designed to deliver class leading control while being built around a user friendly
interface. The Multigrow features both a modular network structure and a
modular software configuration. Each Multigrow System can be configured to
exactly suit the client’s requirements. What’s more, the Multigrow network can
be extended and software modules added to allow the system to grow with the
client’s operational requirements.
Want to increase the
quality of your crop?
Control Systems
The Multigrow is available with extensive
hardware and software options to provide
advanced control over the grower’s climate
systems (ventilation, screens, fans, fog, heating,
irrigation, fertigation, etc.). The Multigrow offers
the opportunity to set up sophisticated systems
with ease and understanding. The Multigrow
will perform anywhere from a small single irrigation only application to a complex system
featuring control for multiple compartments,
heating, fertigation systems, and irrigation. Using the data it receives from the environment; it
will assess and affect the best strategy to ensure
its targets are met to provide the optimum
growing environment for any crop. As climate
systems are continually
developing and often becoming more and more
complex, the Multigrow software is also continually being developed and updated to meet
the demands of modern climate systems.
40
Looking for a better
work-life balance?
As well as it’s built in large colour touch panel
interface, the Multigrow is also designed to
allow you access to your system through any
web browser locally or remotely. This means the
system can be accessed and controlled from
any device that can display web pages. This
removes annoying compatibility issues that can
occur with other systems which require specific
software to run on devices with specific setups.
With readings, graphs and settings right at your
fingertips this gives you complete control of
your greenhouse and irrigation from any
computer, smartphone or tablet anywhere
around the world. The Multigrow’s inbuilt WebTxt
means you will know the second anything
unexpected occurs. This gives you the peace
of mind to relax, knowing exactly what your
system is doing even while you are not there.
Looking for a cost effective
way to control your greenhouse?
Since the Multigrow is an integrated controller
capable of controlling a wide range of parameters
in your irrigation and greenhouse systems, the
Multigrow removes the need for multiple
controllers which not only improves the
overall level of control by integrating systems
better together, but can also significantly reduce
the cost of control. By using a single system,
the Multigrow gives a better overview and
therefore better overall control of the
systems. As each Multigrow system is configured
for each application, you never pay for
something you don’t use, but the system always
has the flexibility to grow with your operation.
No matter what the requirements are the
Multigrow has the ability to ensure the right
environment for your crop.
Multigrow
Easy to use while giving excellent
results – how is this possible?
A very large colour touch panel interface
allows for a very comprehensive user
friendly layout.
The power of modern computer hardware
allows for much more descriptive settings
with an intuitive design. On screen help tells
you exactly what each setting does helping
you to truly understand your control system.
The Multigrow allows the user to not
only name each compartment, vent, screen, valve, etc. but also to name each period of
the day.
The Multigrow features expander
modules to control climate systems such as
screen motors, vent motors, valves, etc.
These smart expander modules feature
manual override switches which allow you
to locally control each device. The central
Multigrow controller will indicate any
switches which are left in manual mode (this
may be on purpose or accidental) as well as
any error conditions such as a blown fuse in
an expander module. This unique level of
system overview significantly helps the user
to assess any issues with the system locally
and remotely.
Every Multigrow system needs an
internet connection. This not only allows
local and remote access to the system for the
user but also allows for remote support
and any software updates can be installed
automatically.
Many of the modern techniques
recommended by top horticulturalists are
built-in to the Multigrow software and
come preset. This allows the Multigrow
to provide some control “straight out of the
box” – you don’t need to be a scientist!
By separating settings into environmental
and configuration it allows the grower to
deal with the setting they understand and
know, without having to delve into the
technical side of things with the risk of errors.
The Multigrow has several different
levels of access which can be controlled by
the administrator. This means that each user
has access rights relevant to his/her position.
“The Multigrow is the
easiest way to control my
greenhouse environment
and watering “
-Dan Patience, JD Propagation
Control Systems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
41
Maximizer
Priva Maximizer - Integrated
Environmental Control Systems
Priva is the largest and most successful climate control manufacturer in the
world. The company has been developing climate control computers for over
50 years and their knowledge is distilled in the Maximizer. The greenhouse
environment is a very complex and dynamic climate - it heats up and cools down
very quickly and changes in humidity are very rapid. The outside conditions such
as wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, light level and rainfall can all
have dramatic effects on the greenhouse environment.
Looking for a way to increase
crop yield and quality?
Control Systems
Every grower knows that crop yield is directly
linked to the plant environment, irrigation and
nutrition. With more accurate control of the
environment, irrigation and nutrition higher
yields and better quality are possible.
The Maximizer is a PID (Proportional, Integral,
and Differential) controller. This means that the
controller adapts it’s measure of control to the
conditions at the time. The PID settings are also
adjustable so the control can be fine-tuned to
each application.
42
Need help to reduce costs?
By measuring and controlling the environment,
water and nutrition more closely, the Maximizer
is able to proportion the amount of control
required to optimise conditions to the grower’s
set requirements accurately and efficiently. This
reduces wastage in energy, water and fertiliser.
Each compartment control in the Maximizer
comes with the full complement of software
for that compartment. This eliminates the
need to purchase additional software for that
compartment if or when extra equipment is
added in a compartment that needs to be
controlled.
With the ability to control hydro only
(irrigation and fertiliser dosing), or up to 4
compartments on a Maximizer, or up to 40
compartments in a Maximizer network, a
Maximizer based system can be implemented
economically for many applications including
vegetable production, flower production,
nurseries and research.
Want to effectively save
water and fertiliser?
The Maximizer software provides accurate
irrigation and fertiliser dosing control. By being
able to accurately control these, there is no
need to irrigate to excess therefore reducing
water and fertiliser use.
The Maximizer irrigation software also includes
the ability to vary EC with light intensity. This
means that during periods of high light, when
the crop has a higher water requirement for
cooling but a lower nutritional requirement,
the Maximizer automatically reduces the EC
with each cycle until light levels again reduce
to a level where the crop water requirement for
cooling is reduced.
The Maximizer software also includes the ability
to control blending of drain water with fresh
water. This allows a system to be configured
to include recycling of irrigation drain water
presenting significant savings in both water and
fertiliser use while improving the environment
around the greenhouse.
For more information on disinfection of both
fresh and drain water please refer to the
Powerplants EcoLux and the Priva Vialux.
Is your work/life balance
not how you want it to be?
Many growers struggle increasingly with
balancing lifestyle with work. Worrying about
the state of their crops causes a lot of stress.
The Priva Maximizer system is able to relieve
some of the worry and stress by reliably
controlling the environment, irrigation and
nutrition on a continuous basis day and night,
365 days a year.
The system will also alarm if any conditions
occur which fall outside desired parameters.
The alarm can be connected to an auto-dialler
which will either call the grower or send a TXT
message in case of an alarm.
Using a PC with Priva Office software installed
and a broadband connection, the grower is
able to remotely check all compartments in
the system anytime and from anywhere using
either a suitable laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Now the grower can enjoy time away from the
greenhouse while confident that the system is
looking after the crops and he/she will be
notified if any alarms are activated.
Priva Office can be configured with user
interface screens specific to each site which
allows for simple control without the user
having to learn special codes or commands.
“The more accurate control over
my greenhouse has increased
my yield significantly.”
- Gippsland Greenhouse Produce
How can I optimise my
time while reducing risk?
Options
Additional options of control include but are
not limited to: a complete weather station
including measurement of light, wind speed,
wind direction, outside temperature, rain
and humidity; and other sensors including
electronic temperature and humidity, CO2 ,
plant temperature (infra-red), soil moisture,
vent position, EC, pH, water flow, tank water
levels etc.
Light can be measured using 3 different
sensor types including: global radiation,
photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and
visible light. Selection of the light sensor
determines the measurement.
The Priva Maximizer
features the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
40 Digital outputs for controlling equipment
Optional up to 8 Analogue outputs to control
equipment like variable speed fans or pumps).
20 Analogue inputs to connect to sensors eg.
temperature, humidity, EC, pH etc.
8 High-speed digital inputs for accurate pulse
sensors such as water volume.
Full Climate Control Software suite, including
control for ventilation, screens, fans, fog,
lights, heating and boiler control.
Full irrigation, fertiliser dosing
and tank control.
Environmental status, reports
and historical data.
Custom control programs.
Up to 3 alarms per zone for
problem notification.
Control of Hydro only or up to four
(compartments) per Maximizer.
Ability to network up to
10 Maximizers together.
Ability to connect to a PC for monitoring
and control of the Maximizer network.
Control Systems
Successful growers have special skills which are
best used to optimise crop yield and quality.
These growers cannot afford for their time to
be wasted on continually manually adjusting
climate and irrigation systems to improve crop
health and yield.
Using a suitable controller with the ability to set
a wide range of parameters to fine-tune control
of the crop environment, irrigation and
nutrition will relieve the grower from these
manual tasks and allow him/her to focus more
on the crop.
Also, because the climate and irrigation systems
are continuously and automatically controlled
by the Maximizer there is less chance of human
error compromising the environmental control
or plant nutritional requirements.
Maximizer
43
Connext
Priva Connext - Advanced
Environmental Control
As advancements in the greenhouse industry continue to be developed,
the Connext system by Priva provides a process control system network to
integrate all control in one system. And more importantly the Priva Connext
network can be monitored and accessed both locally and remotely through
a broadband connection.
Do you need to increase
crop yield and quality?
Control Systems
The Priva Connext integrated process control
system is the latest generation in control
systems developed by Priva. With more than
50 years of experience, Priva have further
developed and fine-tuned the process control
system software to best optimise the control of
climate, heating, irrigation, fertiliser application
and water treatment in a greenhouse
production operation.
In combination with the latest innovations in
greenhouse and climate systems, the Priva
Connext control provides the operator with
all the tools necessary to tune the greenhouse
crop environment to achieve the best possible
results in both crop quality and yield.
44
Some of the system features include:
• The ability to optimise climate, irrigation and
fertiliser application control for any crop.
• Six periods per 24 hours, provides extensive
control over the greenhouse environment
and allows customisation for all possible
indoor or outdoor variables.
• Extensive controls for a wide variety of
greenhouse designs (plastic and glass) from
the simplest, traditional design to the most
advanced, complex modern designs.
• Communication between all peripheral
hardware such as intelligent motors, shading
systems and different types of sensors from a
reliable base, so all systems are connected
and monitored at all times.
• Optional integration with the new Priva
Fusion Information Management System.
Do you want to increase
reliability while reducing risk?
With many growers worldwide facing
continually higher production costs, Priva
have been paying particular attention in ways
to improve the efficiency of greenhouse
operation.
An area that has had a lot of attention is
energy management. To this end, Priva have
incorporated a number of particular features in
the Priva Connext process control system to
optimise energy efficiency. These features
include advanced boiler control (in
combination with the industry standard
Fidu-face), heat buffer management, heating
zone management, energy screen
management, vent control, etc.
“The Connext connects all the
processes in my greenhouse,
making my life a lot easier”
- Peter Petsios, SA Tomatoes
Are you looking for a better
balance between work
and leisure time?
With the wide range of complex systems that
run simultaneously in a modern greenhouse
today, it is important for greenhouse production
managers to be able to view the big picture,
and the Priva Connext process computer, in
combination with the latest generation Priva
Office Direct PC software, offers a concise and
comprehensive overview of their operation at
a glance. With the Priva Connext system,
greenhouse growers are able to take their
operations to the next level, with easy
integration into their existing systems.
Furthermore, Powerplants are able to further
customise the Priva Office Direct user
interface to the project. This provides a more
user friendly interface to make the system
easier to manage.
Powerplants uses the latest network
technologies such as high speed Ethernet, fibre
optic, WiFi and broadband to provide the user
with both local and remote access to the
process control system while still retaining
security to prevent unauthorised access.
Control Systems
Many growers see the process control system as
the heart of their production facility. When the
“heart” stops, production potentially suffers.
Although Priva systems were already world
renowned for their reliability, with the Priva
Connext process control system, Priva have paid
even more attention to system reliability by
incorporating the concept of a “robust network”.
This smarter network has built in redundancy,
built in self-checking, greater ability for
diagnostics, and quicker and easier servicing
from Powerplants Australia.
Due to its innovative design, any existing Priva
Intégro or Maximizer process computer can be
upgraded and expanded into a Priva Connext
system. This extends the service life of Priva’s
earlier models. Customers don’t have to worry
that they might need all-new systems and can
benefit from the ability to upgrade and expand
easily using their existing equipment. Due to
its greater capacity for larger greenhouse sites,
the Connext offers expandability on a very large
scale. In addition to existing controls offered
with the standard models, bespoke solutions
can also be provided.
Powerplants understands the significance of
being able to provide local support for the
complex control systems installed throughout
Australia. As a licensed Priva dealer,
Powerplants’ technicians receive regular
extensive training in the installation and
servicing of all Priva systems, including the
Priva Connext system. We are experts in
electro-technical and water engineering.
Are your energy costs
rising year by year?
Connext
45
The GroSound system has been developed by Powerplants to provide
clear, evenly distributed sound and music throughout the greenhouse
and service buildings.
Looking for new ways to keep
your staff motivated?
GroSound
GroSound System
As many growers are aware, it is difficult to
attract good staff and even harder to retain
staff. On the other hand staff enjoy a pleasant
working environment. Research has shown that
providing background music at a comfortable
level will lead to a nicer work environment and
therefore more motivated staff.
The GroSound system includes several music
sources - an AM/FM tuner, CD player and a USB/
MP3 player allowing you to select the most
desirable music for your staff.
The system also provides an alert for break
times so all staff are clear when breaks start
and finish.
Do you want to
increase productivity?
Research has shown that when undertaking
repetitive work, evenly distributed music in the
background with a good beat improves
productivity as employees work to a rhythm.
A distributed sound system benefits all those
working in your greenhouse and improves
productivity.
“The Powerplants GroSound is a
great way to motivate my staff
and increase production”
-Russell Murphy, R&JL Murphy
Need to improve
OH&S in your operation?
Although portable radios or MP3 players work
well, it is difficult to communicate with staff and
these can also be dangerous in case of an
emergency. The GroSound system doubles as
a Public Address (PA) system allowing you to
make announcements to staff (including breaks
or alerts) and most importantly it can be used
as an emergency alarm warning system
as well.
The GroSound system features:
• High Power distributed sound Amplifier.
providing high voltage output.
• Radio Tuner.
• CD/MP3/USB player.
• Input for iPod.
• Microphone.
• Water resistant speakers suitable for
high voltage signal.
• High voltage speaker cable.
Automation and Labour Systems
Also, with suitable background music staff are
less likely to distract each other with talking,
allowing them instead to focus on the required
tasks.
47
PrivAssist
PrivAssist Smartline –
Crop and Labour Management
One of virtually every business owner’s biggest challenges is labour. Finding and
keeping good staff, training, managing productivity, managing staff politics and
the rising cost of labour are common challenges to all businesses. This is even
more difficult for the Horticultural Industry as conditions are often uncomfortable
and the wages are often relatively low.
Priva has been supplying the PrivAssist system
Are your staff not as efficient
for over a decade. The traditional PrivAssist
as you would like them to be?
system relied on “Terminals” which could be
placed on “Consoles” located throughout the
greenhouse (16m to 20m apart). All activity was
recorded via the terminal by entering data via
“Terminal Programs”. This system is still in use
today but a more recent variant of the system is
the PrivAssist Smartline.
The PrivAssist Smartline makes labour
management much easier and makes everyone
accountable. The old adage goes “If it can be
measured, it can be improved.“ The Smartline
RFID system makes registration a breeze.
Automation and Labour Systems
Easy to use - use the Smartline Reader to scan a
(Radio Frequency IDentification) Tag to record a
process - no data entry by logbooks or keypads
is needed. RFID is becoming the leading data
gathering system in factories and other industries.
48
With the PrivAssist Smartline system, all data is
registered by the workers themselves using the
Smartline Readers. The readers are designed to
remove any language barriers when registering
operations. What’s more, as the workers are
registering their own tasks, this makes them
accountable for the data collected.
The data can be analysed later by the supervisor,
manager or owner to determine labour
performance. It can then be determined which
tasks are best suited to which individuals.
Furthermore, clear performance standards can
easily be set and monitored.
This ensures that not only the most suitable
individual is selected for each required task, but
also that all individuals continue to work at an
optimum pace.
Are you having problems avoiding
or containing crop disease?
The PrivAssist system also includes the ability
to register pest and disease incidence. This way
your workers also become your scouts! You can
even automatically provide a small reward to
your workers for each incident they register.
The registered pest and disease incidents can
be displayed on a clear plan of the property
which highlights the severity of the incidence in
different shades of different colours (each type
of pest and disease can be colour coded).
“The PrivAssist is a great
tool for labour registration,
making management of
staff more effective”
- Tony Bundock, Chisholm Institute of Tafe
PrivAssist
How do you increase production,
improve quality and increase profit?
Because workers are working to their optimum
and individuals are selected to perform the
tasks they are best suited to, production is
automatically lifted.
The benefit to the company of improved
production and quality is a clear improvement
in profit.
One of Australia’s leading strawberry growers
is Berry Sweet. The owner, Anthony Yewers,
crops 100 acres in W.A. including 8,000 sqm
hydroponically grown strawberries in
greenhouses. Anthony installed a PrivAssist
Smartline system in late 2006.
When asked how the workers find the new
system at Berry Sweet, Anthony said that they
have become more conscientious, and that the
“good workers are getting rewarded for their
efforts instead of being dragged down by
others, and they know that the harder they
work, the more that they will be paid”.
Anthony said that managing his staff is now
much easier, productivity is much higher and
quality is also improving because his workers
are now accountable. Anthony was very pleased
that he could now quickly and easily identify
each individual worker’s production and quality.
He is making significant savings in wages as
everyone is now pulling their weight. Quality
has also improved considerably. The payback
on the system was of 4-6 months. He said that
he is saving around $1,000 per DAY and highly
recommends the system to other growers.
Automation and Labour Systems
The PrivAssist system allows each “container”
(bucket, tray, trolley, etc) to be tracked between
the greenhouse/field and the packing/handling
area. This allows the supervisor to easily
determine who is responsible for any
substandard produce, flowers or plants that
arrive in the packing/handling area. This makes
each worker accountable for what they do and
as a result improve their standards. The effect
on overall quality can be significant.
Case study
49
Crop Trolleys
Berg Pipe Rail Trolleys
Many modern greenhouses use the heating pipes as part of their crop-work system.
Pipe rail trolleys are used in crop picking, transportation, crop management and
spraying. Using the rails to transport trolleys throughout the greenhouse will
result in a huge increase in productivity and improvement in labour conditions.
Need to better optimise spend
on crop management tasks?
Many growers are familiar with platform trolleys
which use a winch or a manual scissor with
locking pins to adjust the platform height. The
operator of the trolley then climbs on to the
platform using a ladder.
Today all successful greenhouse vegetable
growers use a form of hydraulic trolley to carry
out crop management tasks. The Berg Hortimotive
Benomic hydraulic 2 scissor trolleys are very
easy to use and reliable. The Benomic is the
latest generation of Berg Hortimotive trolleys.
Automation and Labour Systems
The Benomic pipe rail trolleys have electronic
speed control with smooth speed control of
0 to 60m per minute. This allows the user to
quickly get to the back of each row then set the
exact speed required for the operation.
50
The floor pedal can be used as a driving pedal
(“push to drive”) or as braking pedal (“push to
brake”). Push to drive is used for operations
which require frequent stops, such as de-leafing.
Push to stop is used for operations which don’t
require frequent stopping, such as layering.
The trolley display shows each function clearly.
The trolley also has a battery condition meter,
which warns when the batteries are getting low.
For tomato or capsicum operations, a 12VDC
outlet is fitted to power truss pollinators.
All trolleys are equipped with a special charging
plug. Batteries recharge during braking, resulting
in increased lifetime.
Moving from path to path is done with help of
hydraulically operated, lifting wheels. Trolleys
are typically set up for 60cm pipe spacing for
Australian greenhouses.
Crop Trolleys
Need to reduce OH&S
risks in your operation?
Having difficulty reducing
your labour costs?
The Pipe Rail Trolleys are easily operated, money
saving solutions. The Pipe Rail Trolley will allow
you to reduce the amount of time spent on
crop handling, decreasing your labour costs.
Therefore, not only will your employees be
happy because their work is a lot more
comfortable, you will directly notice the financial
benefits when looking at your bottom line!
The Benomic range is also available in 3
and 4 scissor versions. These versions lift to
a maximum platform height of 440cm and
570cm respectively and are therefore also
used for maintenance.
These trolleys feature mechanical stabilizers
which need to be deployed before the trolley
platform can be raised above 350cm.
Automation and Labour Systems
The complete trolley with hydraulic scissors is
designed to create a safe working platform in
combination with a stable pipe rail system. Each
trolley has features to help meet Australian
Health and Safety regulations.
These features include:
• Heavy duty safety rail with self-closing gate.
• Built-in tilt alarm which alerts before the
trolley risks falling over.
• Hose-break safety device which helps
prevent the platform from crashing down
in case of a hose burst.
• Emergency lowering valve which allows the
platform to be lowered without power.
• A 300kg lifting capacity for the double
scissor trolley and 120kg lifting capacity for
the 3 and 4 scissor trolleys.
51
Transport Trolleys
Powerplants Transport
190/250 Trolley
Most modern greenhouses feature heating systems using pipe rail. This type
of heating not only allows optimum climate control, but also forms part of the
internal logistics required to manage the crop in the greenhouse.
Powerplants has been specialising in supplying internal logistics systems for
over a decade.
Do you need to reduce costs?
To maintain crop hygiene, many growers need
to spray their trolleys with disinfectant. Some
disinfectants can be relatively corrosive towards
metal. With traditional powder coated trolleys
this can quickly lead to corrosion under the
powder coating which will eventually lead to
failure of part of the trolley structure.
The Powerplants Trans range of trolleys feature
a corrosion resistant design to dramatically
extend the trolley life and allow the grower to
maintain important hygiene standards.
Because the high quality transport trolleys
last longer, future capital costs are avoided.
Automation and Labour Systems
52
Need to increase efficiency
at your company?
Many processes carried out during crop production
require the ability to either carry material into
the greenhouse and down the rows (for example
planting out), or material from the rows out of
the greenhouse (for example de-leafing).
A cost effective and efficient way to help carry
out these tasks is with a suitable transport trolley.
The Powerplants Trans 190 and Trans 250
transport trolleys have been designed specifically
to run smoothly on the Australian standard pipe
rail spacing. The trolleys feature a very durable
construction with a push up triangle hitch so
trolleys can be linked together to form a trolley
train. This allows one person to simultaneously
move a number of trolleys with a suitable electric
tractor or forklift.
The trolleys can also be fitted with suitable
bins for either collection of bulk material such
as plant leaves or for harvesting of cucumbers
or capsicums.
A commonly used trolley in the greenhouse is
the basic transport trolley. This trolley features:
• Two 200mm centre wheels.
• Four flanged wheels to suit the pipe rail.
• Suited to a standard pipe rail spacing of
600mm centre to centre (other spacings
available on request).
• Four swivel wheels with wheel protectors .
• Flip-up triangle trolley hitch.
• Two push handles.
• Two available trolley lengths: 190cm long
and 250cm long.
Traditionally these trolleys have been delivered
with a powder coated finish. Powerplants now
offer this trolley with a hot dipped galvanised
finish.
The Powerplants Truss 190 and Truss 250 trolleys are extensions of the Trans
190 and Trans 250 trolleys, but fitted with a roller rack and slideable top rack
especially designed for tomato harvesting.
Need help to reduce
your OH & S risk?
The Truss 190 and Truss 250 trolleys feature a
top rack that is stacked with empty boxes. The
middle roller rack is where the picker places
an empty box to pick in to. When this box is
full, the next box is placed on top and filled as
well. Once there is a stack of boxes, the stack is
pushed forward by the picker along the roller
rack. This process is repeated until the roller
rack is full.
The top rack and roller rack are set at a height
that is comfortable for the picker. The roller rack
also ensures that the picker does not need to
strain his or her back to move full boxes with
fruit.
Trolleys with full boxes of fruit can be linked
together and towed to the pack-house as a
trolley train towed by an electric tractor or
suitable forklift. This removes the need to
manually push every trolley individually to the
packing area, again reducing muscle strain.
- Godfrey Dol, Blush Tomatoes
Also available from Powerplants are
standard manual electric tractors, as well
as semi-automatic and fully automatic
electric tractors to suit the Powerplants
Trans and Truss range of trolleys.
Longing for a better
balanced lifestyle?
In the drive to improve efficiency, many growers
are considering automatic fruit handling systems
as part of their crop production operation.
The Powerplants Truss 190 and Truss 250
trolleys have been specifically designed to suit
common fruit handling systems. These systems
often feature semi-automatic or fully automatic
push off units to remove boxes full of fruit from
the trolley. The trolley must match the design
of the push off unit to avoid potential damage
to either the trolley, the system and/or fruit
damage.
With matched trolleys, the processing efficiency
of fruit can be dramatically improved. Therefore,
you will have more time left for the more
important things in life.
Automation and Labour Systems
“The Powerplants trolleys are
a great asset to our facility,
they save time and make
the job easier for our staff.”
Picking Trolleys
Powerplants Picking
190/250 Trolley
53
Spraying Trolleys
Crop Spraying Solutions
Although not an enjoyable task, spraying is a very important job and must be
done safely and with precision. Most importantly, it must be easy to do.
Powerplants Spraying Systems offer you all this with the modular ‘Georgia’ Mobile
Spray Tank, combined with either a push along spray boom, ride-on Sprayer or a
fully automated ‘Meto’ Sprayer with optional Meto-Trans transporter unit.
Looking for an effective method
to reduce pest and disease ?
Powerplants specialises in supplying equipment
and systems that ensure that the task of spraying
is simple to carry out, effective and consistent.
This guarantees that crop protection is carried
out when it needs to be done and at the correct
strength and uniformity.
The result is a crop that is well looked after
in terms of pest and disease control limiting
the potential damage that pests and disease
can cause.
Need to increase yield
and improve quality?
Automation and Labour Systems
With good pest and disease control, there is less
stress on the crop. Without this stress, the plants
are not only able to yield better, but the quality
can also be potentially improved.
54
Do you have efficiency problems?
Increasing levels of automation provide for
increased level of efficiency. For example, one
operator can operate two Meto automatic spray
trolleys simultaneously. With a centre path
greenhouse this means that plant rows on both
sides of the path can be sprayed simultaneously
dramatically reducing the time is takes to spray.
The grower also has the confidence that the
spraying process is timely, uniform, and at the
desired spray density.
Want to reduce OH & S risk?
With the Meto automatic spray trolleys, the
operator remains on the path while the
trolley automatically travels to the back of the
row then sprays the crop on its return to the
path. Because the operator is not riding on the
trolley there is minimal exposure to the
chemical being sprayed.
There are several spraying
system options to choose from,
which are: the Georgia mobile
spray tank, the Manual spray
boom, the Mini-Boom Pipe Rail
Spray Trolley, the Semi-Automatic
Pipe Rail Spray Trolley and the
Fully Automatic Pipe Rail
Spray Trolley.
The new EMP-300 grafting machine is able to graft plants at high speed, while
staying reliable and ensuring quality by using flexible clips to support the
completed graft. The design is specifically focussed on allowing the grafting
to be efficient and simple, with simple mechanical features allowing easy
adjustments to be made to the grafting machine. This simple, user friendly
grafting machine is able to graft between 400 to 600 plants per hour!
Looking for a way to increase the
quality of your plants from the
starting phase of growing?
The best method of ensuring the quality of
your crops is by handling your plants with care
from the beginning. By using the best of both
worlds, namely by using strong rootstock from
one species and the scion of the vegetable you
want to grow, the best results will be achieved.
Looking for an investment
with a great return?
The grafting machine ensures faster production,
a better quality crop and therefore an increase
in profits. If you already apply grafting to your
production process, the newest EMP-300 model
will definitely increase your performance,
therefore increasing your profits. If you have
never applied grafting to your crop before, you
will be amazed by the benefits you will experience
from the day you will start using the grafting
machine in your greenhouse.
Need to decrease costs?
The grafting machine decreases the chance
of your crop not growing successfully, therefore
reducing costs associated with crop failure.
Moreover, if you are still grafting the old
fashioned, hands on way the EMP-300 will cut
labour costs drastically since the plants that can
be grafted per hour will increase significantly.
Therefore, the grafting machine is a great way
to decrease unnecessary costs.
The grafting machine can work with different
configurations (30º-40º), and with simple
adjustments different varieties of plant scions
and rootstock can be grafted. The grafting
clips are made of flexible material, especially
designed for a solid fix around the graft.
Moreover, there are different settings to graft
the plants to suit your specific application.
Knives
The knives to cut the stem are very easy to
change. The cutting unit can be replaced to cut
with different angles.
Design
Accurate design and simple mechanical features
ensure maximum accuracy and reliability in
every grafted plant.
Adaptability
Clips for grafting plants are available in
different diameters, and are pre-packed in rolls.
The machine is automatically supplied with the
clip roller, individually cutting the clip when the
plant is grafted.
The actual cutting units have a disinfectant
application. Disinfection cycle can be adjusted
following the work patterns, ensuring the
possibility for infection is reduced effectively.
Automation and Labour Systems
Grafting Equipment
EMP-300 Grafting Machine
55
Ebb and Flood Benches
Ebb & Flood Benches
Ebb & Flood Benches offer the greatest and most uniform watering system
available while improving ergonomics and OH&S compliance. Ebb & Flood
Benches are very common in Europe and could be of great benefit to your
bottom line.
Want to save precious time?
A large portion of a grower’s labour budget can
be attributed to the cost of irrigating by hand.
With the use of Ebb & Flood benches, irrigation
can be fully automated, watering efficiency
increased and labour costs reduced. An entire
bench of plants can be watered simultaneously
and evenly.
At regular intervals set by the grower, nutrient
solution is automatically pumped from a dosing
tank to flood the bench, and then is allowed to
ebb away. This provides the crop with a
continually refreshed nutrient source, that
never becomes stale, precipitated or over
concentrated. The runoff water is easily
collected, then treated for re-use.
Do you need help
reducing plant disease?
Automation and Labour Systems
If you want to greatly improve plant health, the
ebb & flood system of watering plants is the
way to go. Plant leaves and flowers stay dry, so
overall greenhouse humidity is lowered and
56
“The Ebb & Flood benches
definitely decreased my water
costs and helped eliminate
disease in my crop”
- Jason Smith, Triffid Park Nursery
fungal diseases are virtually eliminated. Vast
amounts of essential oxygen is forced in and
distributed around the roots. This invigorates
the root system, reducing root disease and,
most importantly, increasing crop growth.
Do you want to reduce employee
labour and improve safety?
Your employees will also benefit by having Ebb
& Flood benches, as having the plants at the
correct working height reduces the strain on
their backs from constantly picking plants off
the ground.
Paths stay dry, eliminating slippery algae thus
reducing accidents.
Ebb and Flood Benches
Benches can increase your effective growing
area by up to 30%, reduce your water use by up
to 70% and reduce fertiliser use by up to 30%.
Looking for an effective
way to save water?
By using Ebb & Flood benches, wasteful runoff
is minimised and the high costs of fertilisers can
be reduced as all the water is collected and can
easily be recycled.
Typical bench widths are 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8m.
Any length is available in multiples of 100mm.
Our benches are normally concreted into the
ground as a permanent fixture, or dyna-bolted
to the edge of a concrete path. A new option
is the Floor Plate design which offers flexibility
not available with the conventional concrete
method. It can be installed on almost any
surface, such as concrete, gravel or weed mat.
The Floor Plate system can be easily relocated
when you are upgrading or moving your
greenhouse. Leg heights are fully adjustable.
Bench tops - Ebb & Flood
Our Ebb & Flood bench tops are made from
highly resistant, horticultural chemical-proof,
ultra-violet light stable plastic, ensuring a long
Ebb & flood benches are ideal
for fast growing high value crops
Crops like cyclamen, poinsettia, potted colour
and tomato seedlings benefit enormously from
Ebb & Flood watering. The fast turnaround of
the crop makes the payback period very short.
Quick-Valve
Our Ebb & Flood Benches use the patented
Quick-Valve. The Quick-Valve floods the bench
to a depth of approximately 20mm, and then
quickly drains it. The Quick-Valve also provides
automatic oxygenation of the nutrient solution
during filling, and filling time can be varied
according to the inside hole size. It is fast,
reliable and labour saving.
Automation and Labour Systems
Benches tailored to your needs.
lifetime, even under constant daily wear.
The benches have an in-built channel system,
ensuring that the bench drains away quickly
after irrigation so the plant roots aren’t sitting
in water.
57
Side-Shifting/Multi-Move Benches
Automation and Labour Systems
58
Side-Shifting, Floor-Rolling
and Multi-Move Benches
Mobile Benches are commonly used in professional Horticulture. There are
three different mobile benches, the Side-Shifting benches, Floor-Rolling benches
and the Multi-Move Benches. In the last 30 years, the basic principles of mobile
benches have evolved to a well-tested and proven concept. The mobile
benches have progressed to a perfect stepping stone in upgrading a nursery
for multiple reasons.
Do you need to increase
Looking for an effective method
your production area?
for increasing your profits?
A mobile benching system is the system you
are looking for. The mobile benches ensure
the optimisation of the space used in your
greenhouse, since every greenhouse in limited
by its size. The benches can be moved in order
to take advantage of all the space you have.
Moreover, many components are
standardised and which can be built together
to specific requirements of every unique
situation, regardless of scale and complexity.
This ensures your greenhouse is arranged in the
most efficient way possible. Finally, the modular
components ensure smooth implementation,
efficient operation, long lifetime and of course
very competitive pricing.
Since the mobile benching system gives you
the possibility to optimise the space utilised in
your greenhouse, it also ensures an increase
in profits. The mobile benches increase your
production capacity, thus increasing the profits
to be made!
Do you need to decrease
labour costs?
Apart from above reasons a significant reduction
of labour costs can be achieved when the
movement of benches and plants is improved
or even automated with the Multi-Move Benches.
The automisation decreases the amount of
Side-Shifting Benches
labour involved, therefore logically decreasing
labour costs. Because of the modular parts the
system is perfectly suitable for step-by-step
expansion and/or automation over time.
Want to decrease the amount of
water used in your greenhouse?
The mobile benches can also dramatically
decrease the amount of water used in your
greenhouse. The mobile benches can have
mesh tops or Ebb & Flood Liners which, when
you recycle water at the same time, can
decrease the amount of water used by up to
50%. Products to effectively recycle the water
used in your greenhouse are featured earlier
in the catalogue.
The most common benches used in greenhouses
are the Side-Shift Benches. The legs of the SideShifting Benches are fixed to the floor, and the
bench tops roll side to side. Therefore it gives
you the opportunity to create paths in between
different rows of benches to access your plants.
Floor-Rolling Benches are on wheels; therefore
you can move them from one side of your
greenhouse to the other, optimising growing
space.
Multi-Move Benches, in addition to optimising
growing space, are able to move plants
throughout the whole nursery, also making it
a transportation system.
• Mobile benches (ebb-flood and open
structure bottoms, welded, self-assembly).
• Watering equipment (water supply and
discharge, static watering booms).
• Multi-Move Lateral Transport (MMLT)
sections (with pneumatic lift).
• Support and rail pipe components.
The automation components are:
• Bench transport robots.
• Bench automation (push, pull and lifting
equipment).
• Plant handling (robots, grading equipment).
• Overhead transport (stacker, crane).
• Cleaning/disinfecting equipment.
• Control and visualisation software
(PLC or PC based).
Save money with self-assembly!
The fully mobile benches are specially designed
to combine high quality components with
extremely competitive pricing. How? By further
standardisation and allowing you to selfassemble the entire system without the need
of costly staff such as aluminium welders or a
specialized installation crew. Besides easy to
assemble components, a clear installation
manual will be provided to ensure smooth
assembly by yourself. Of course the selfassembled components are a solid base
for future expansions and upgrades.
Automation and Labour Systems
While most of the benefits between the
Side-Shifting Benches, Floor-Rolling and MultiMoving Benches are alike, the design and
functions differ:
The basic components of the
mobile benches consist of:
Side-Shifting/Multi-Move Benches
Multi Move Benches
59
Conveyors
Conveyors
By implementing conveyors in your greenhouse you will experience a wide
range of new opportunities and cost reduction in your day-to-day operations.
On top of that, the conveyors help you move around your greenhouse as they
can he used as elevated walkways.
Looking for a way to increase staff
efficiency in your greenhouse?
The conveyor is the helping hand you are
looking for. Your employees will save time
because they will no longer have to manually
transport the growing containers or crops
through the greenhouse, making your
operation more efficient! Moreover, the
conveyors have the ability to instantly switch
between growing beds.
Want to make your employees
happy by making their work
easier and safer?
Automation and Labour Systems
It is well known that conveyors are an effective
aid in day-to-day nursery operations. Not only
do the conveyors make your greenhouse
operations more efficient, they at the same
time reduce strain on your employees!
Therefore the work of your employees is not
only easier; it is also safer since the growing
containers or crop do not have to be moved
through the greenhouse manually.
60
Do you need to decrease
costs in your greenhouse?
Imagine the possibilities with a high quality,
affordable conveyor in every bay of the greenhouse! This could create an unprecedented
array of new possibilities and savings in your
operation. Since your operation will be more
efficient, therefore the costs per product will
decrease. Moreover, the conveyors are
designed to have low maintenance, due to
minimal amount of moving parts. You will
directly notice the benefits on your bottom line!
Do you think time is wasted
during your daily greenhouse
operations?
Time is money, as every greenhouse grower will
know. One of the biggest advantages of using
the conveyors is that you can respond to orders
much faster! The efficient way of working makes
you able to process the orders much faster,
making you a better supplier to your customers.
Conveyors
High quality modular components
Basic components:
• Drive section.
• Extension sections.
Add-ons:
Save money with self-assembly!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The conveyor systems are specially designed
to combine high quality components with
extremely competitive pricing. How? By further
standardisation and allowing you to self-assemble
the entire system without the need of costly
staff such as aluminium welders or a specialised
installation crew. Besides easy to assemble
components, a clear installation manual will
be provided to ensure smooth assembly by
yourself. Of course the self-assembled
components are a solid base for future
expansions and upgrades.
Corner guidance (mechanical, electrical).
Remote controls.
Frequency drives for speed variation.
Graphical user interfaces.
Pot-forks.
Pot placing robots.
Grading units.
Harvesting belts.
Automation and Labour Systems
The design of the conveyors is based on
standardised components to ensure smooth
implementation, efficient operation, long
lifetime and of course very competitive pricing!
The conveyor can be used both as a fixed main
conveyor along the pathway/gable and as a
fixed conveyor in every bay. There are several
add-ons available that help to maximize the
operational efficiency of the conveyors.
61
Potspacer Twin
Potspacer TWIN
The Potspacer Twin is the most effective tool to space one row of plants into two
rows of plants using an exceptionally simple mechanism. This tool provides the
greenhouse staff with the convenience they need to effectively do their jobs.
Want your staff to be
more efficient?
The easy-to-use ‘Twinspacer’ gives your staff the
ability to be 30 to 50% faster than your competitors
staff while making the work more comfortable
at the same time. You can expect that your staff
will not have to pick up one plant at a time,
making this part of the job manageable.
Moreover, the calibration is simple to allow
spacing a pot thick, half or final distances.
Automation and Labour Systems
The Twinspacer is therefore an easy solution to
a backbreaking problem.
62
Do you want your employees
to be motivated?
The Twinspacer will not only relieve some of
your worries, it will also make your employees
happier. The more efficient way of working will
keep money in your pocket and will relieve
some of the strain your employees can
experience in the greenhouse.
Want to decrease the risk
of even the smallest accidents
happening?
The Twinspacer also helps to reduce the chance
of accidents happening, no matter how small
they are. The ‘Twinspacer’ is totally safe, and
eliminates trapped hands and fingers. It has
adjustable height settings and is constructed
entirely of aluminium, weighing only 2.5 kg.
Pot sizes
The Twinspacer is highly suited to taking pots
directly from the potting conveyor and spacing
at preset distances. Eg. pot thick, half spacing,
final spacing. The pots always have identical
settings, which allows space producing optimum
growing and better working conditions.
• 9 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 14 together
which can be extended to 18.
• 10,5 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 12 together
which can be extended to 16.
• 12 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 10 together
which can be extended to 14.
• 13 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 10 together
which can be extended to 14.
• 14 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 9 together
which can be extended to 11.
• 15 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 8 together
which can be extended to 10.
• 17 cm. pots: Twinspacer takes 7 together
which can be extended to 9.
Powerplants Australia
Terms & Conditions
1.Definitions
In these conditions:
“Agreement” means any agreement or contract entered into
for the provision of goods by the
Supplier to the Customer;
“Conditions” means these Terms and Conditions of Trade;
“Customer” means a person, firm or corporation, jointly and
severally if there is more than one, acquiring goods or
services from the Supplier;
“Goods” means goods supplied by the Supplier to the
Customer;
“GST” means the Goods and Services tax as defined in A New
Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 as amended;
“Services” means services supplied by the Supplier
to the Customer; and
“Supplier” means Powerplants Australia & associated entities
companies supplying goods or services to the Customer.
“Powerplants Australia” will be referred to as PPA in
this document.
2. Basis of Contract
2.1 Unless otherwise agreed by the Supplier in writing, the
Conditions apply exclusively to every contract for the sale of
goods or services by the Supplier to the Customer and cannot
be varied or supplanted by any other condition, including
the Customer’s terms and conditions of purchase (if any).
2.2 Any written quotation provided by the Supplier to the
Customer concerning the proposed supply of goods or
services is valid for 30 days and is an invitation only to the
Customer to place an order based upon that quotation.
2.3 The Agreement is accepted by the Supplier when the Supplier
confirms its acceptance of an offer from the Customer in
writing or electronic means or provides the Customer with
the goods.
2.4 The Supplier in its absolute discretion may refuse to accept
any offer.
2.5 The Supplier may vary or amend these Conditions by notice
in writing to the Customer at any time. Any variations or
amendments will apply to orders made by the Customer after
the date of notice.
3. Placing an Order
3.1 The Customer must comply with the procedure prescribed by
the Supplier for the placing of orders.
3.2 Any order placed by the Customer or any variation or
cancellation of an order placed by the Customer is an offer.
An order will not be accepted until the Customer
communicates acceptance to the Supplier in writing or by
electronic means or it has provided the goods or services.
3.3 Where the particular model of a product ordered is no longer
available and has been replaced by a new model, the Supplier
may substitute the new model.
4.Payment
4.1 Payment for goods and services must be made when goods
are collected or delivered/supplied or, in accordance of the
terms of the invoice or quotation. Notwithstanding any
previously agreed credit terms, PPA reserves the right to vary
credit terms and to demand of any customer, at any time
payment in advance, if PPA so requires.
4.2 Payment by cheque is not deemed made until the proceeds
of the cheque have cleared.
5. Payment Default
5.1 If the Customer defaults in payment by the due date of any
amount payable to the Supplier, then all money which would
become payable by the Customer to the Supplier at a later
date on any account, becomes immediately due and payable
without the requirement of any notice to the Customer, and
the Supplier may, without prejudice to any other remedy
available to it:
(a) charge the Customer interest on any sum due at the
prevailing rate pursuant to the Penalty Interest Rates Act
1983 (Vic) plus 2 per cent for the period from the due date
until the date of payment in full;
(b)charge the Customer for, and the Customer must
indemnify the Supplier from, all costs and expenses
(including without limitation all legal costs and
disbursements on an indemnity basis) incurred by it
resulting from the default or in taking action to enforce
compliance with the Terms or to recover any goods;
(c) cease or suspend for such period as the Supplier thinks
fit, supply of any further goods or services to the Customer;
(d)by notice in writing to the Customer, terminate any
contract with the Customer so far as unperformed by the
64
Supplier; without effect on the accrued rights of the
Supplier under any contract.
5.2 Clauses 5.1(c) and (d) may also be relied upon, at the option
of the Supplier:
(a) where the Customer is an individual and becomes
bankrupt or enters into any scheme of arrangement
or any assignment or composition with or for the benefit
of his or her creditors or any class of his or her creditors
generally; or
(b)where the Customer is a corporation and, it enters into
any scheme of arrangement or any assignment or
composition with or for the benefit of its creditors or
any class of its creditors generally, or has a liquidator,
provisional liquidator, administrator, receiver or receiver
and manager appointed, or any action is taken for, or with
the view to, the liquidation (including provisional
liquidation), winding up or dissolution without winding
up of the Customer.
6. Passing of Property
6.1 Until full payment in cleared funds is received by the Supplier
for all goods and services supplied by it to the Customer, as
well as all other amounts owing to the Supplier by the
Customer:
(a) title and property in all goods remain vested in the
Supplier and do not pass to the Customer;
(b)the Customer must hold the goods as fiduciary bailee and
agent for the Supplier; and must keep the goods fully
insured, secure, and in a good and merchantable condition.
(c) the Customer must keep the goods separate from its own
goods and maintain the labelling and packaging of the
Supplier;
(d)the Customer is required to hold the proceeds of any
sale of the goods on trust for the Supplier in a separate
account however failure to do so will not affect the
Customer’s obligation to deal with the proceeds as trustee;
(e) the Supplier may without notice, enter any premises
where it suspects the goods may be and remove them,
not withstanding that they may have been attached to
other goods not the property of the Supplier, and for this
purpose the Customer irrevocably licences the Supplier to
enter such premises and also indemnifies the Supplier
from and against all costs, claims, demands or actions by
any party arising from such action.
7.Pricing
7.1 Prices for the supply of goods and services exclude:
(a) GST, sales tax, consumption, and any other taxes, duties
or imposts imposed on or in relation to the goods and
services, whether at point of supply or at some other
specified occurrence, by whatever name; and
(b) the cost of freight, insurance and other charges arising
from the point of dispatch of the goods to the Customer
to the point of delivery.
7.2 Where there is any change in the costs incurred by the
Supplier in relation to the goods or services, the Supplier may
vary its price for goods or services on order to take account of
any such change.
8. Intellectual Property
8.1 The Customer acknowledges the supplier’s title to the
copyright, trademark, patent or design rights (Intellectual
Property) in or related to any of its goods and shall not claim
any right title or interest in the Intellectual Property nor use
any of the Intellectual Property other than necessary for the
proper use of the goods.
9. Risk and Insurance
9.1 The risk in the goods and all insurance responsibility for theft,
damage or otherwise in respect of the goods will pass to the
Customer immediately on the goods being despatched from
the Supplier’s premises.
9.2 The Customer assumes all risk and liability for loss, damage or
injury to persons or to property of the Customer, or third
parties arising out of the use or possession of any of the
goods sold by the Supplier, whether such goods are used
singularly, or in combination with other goods, substances, or
any process.
10. Performance of contract
10.1Any period or date for delivery of goods or provision of
services stated by the Supplier is intended as an estimate
only and is not a contractual commitment. The Supplier will
use its best reasonable endeavours to meet any estimated
dates for delivery of the goods or completion of the services.
10.2A completed drivers manifest or delivery docket whether
signed by the driver or by the Customer or its employee or
agent will be proof of delivery of goods invoiced.
11.Delivery
Where PPA is required to make delivery, It is agreed that PPA
is not a common carrier and in the event of loss or damage to
goods in transit which is attributable to PPA shall be limited
solely to the repair or replacement of lost or damaged goods.
The Customer shall be responsible for all costs associated
with delivery, including freight, insurance and other charges
arising from the point of dispatch of the goods to the
Customer to the point of delivery.
11.3 The Customer shall provide reasonable and proper access to
the location specified for delivery.
11.4 The Customer authorises the Supplier to subcontract delivery
in its absolute discretion.
11.5 Each supply of goods or part thereof is a separate contract
and the customer is bound to accept and make payment for
partial or progressive supply.
12. Returns and Warranty
Returns
12.1 Goods returned to PPA warehouse premises will at the
expense of the customer and must be merchantable and in
the original unbroken packaging.
12.2 No credit will be given on goods returned after 7 days of
delivery, except with the written consent of the supplier.
12.3 Goods will only be accepted for return and credit to the
account of the Customer with the written consent of the
Supplier. PPA reserves the right to apply a re-stocking fee.
12.4 The Supplier will not accept return or give credit for any
specially procured parts.
12.5 The Customer must comply with any return procedures of
the Supplier.
12.6 The customer warrants that all drawings and specifications
and other design information supplied by it to PPA are
accurate in all respects. Goods manufactured or supplied to
order of the customer or any goods damaged or altered in
any way by the customer shall not be returnable to PPA nor
shall the customer be entitled to claim any rebate or refund
of the price not-withstanding that the same may not comply
precisely with the customers specification.
13Warranty
13.1PPA warrants the proper execution of the designed
performance of the goods for a period of 12 months after
delivery or completion or any other date agreed to by the
supplier, provided the goods are installed and/ or operated to
their designed specifications.
13.2 Goods supplied which are not of PPA manufacture shall be
subject to the warranties of the manufacturer only.
13.3 The Customer must advise the Supplier within 7 days of
delivery if goods supplied were not ordered, are not of
merchantable quality or not fit for the purpose required
(“defective goods”).
13.4 The customer shall in all cases offer the supplier the opportunity
to repair any defect or carry out any re-work.
13.5 The Customer must comply with any return procedures of
the Supplier, subsequently the Supplier will at its discretion,
upon return of proven defective goods, replace, repair or
provide a credit to the Customer for their invoice price
13.6 If the Supplier reasonably considers that goods returned by
the Customer are not defective goods, the Customer must
pay for their return to the supplier less any re-stocking fee
applied by PPA.
13.7 If the designed performance consists in part or in whole of
the installation and/or assembly of a delivered item, the
supplier warrants the installation or assembly for the period
stated in clause 13.1. If such installation or assembly fails
then the supplier shall repair it. Any travel or accommodation
costs shall be borne by the customer.
13.8 Description of Goods - Any description of goods contained
in any quote, invoice or other documentation provided by
PPA is provided by way of identification only and does not
constitute the contract of sale by description.
13.9 Any warranty provided by PPA may only be invoked after
the customer has complied with all of his obligations to
the supplier.
13.10Service and warranty support is subject to PPA’s “Guidelines
for Service “ procedures – a copy of which is available from
PPA. PPA reserves the right to change these ‘Guidelines’ form
time to time without notice.
14.Liability
14.1 Except as specifically set out herein, or contained in any
warranty statement provided with the goods or services,
any term, condition or warranty in respect of the quality,
merchantability, fitness for purpose, condition, description,
assembly, manufacture, design or performance of the goods
or services, whether implied by statute, common law, trade
usage, custom or otherwise, is hereby expressly excluded.
14.2Replacement or repair of the goods or resupply of the
services is the absolute limit of the Supplier’s liability
howsoever arising under or in connection with the sale, use
of, storage or any other dealings with the goods or service
by the Customer or any third party.
14.3The Supplier is not liable for any indirect or consequential
losses or expenses suffered by the Customer or any third
party, howsoever caused, including but not limited to loss of
turnover, profits, business or goodwill or any liability to any
other party.
14.4The Supplier will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered
by the Customer where the Supplier has failed to meet any
delivery date or cancels or suspends the supply of goods or
services.
14.5Any advice, recommendation, assistance, information,
provided by the supplier in relation to the goods or their
use or application is provided in good faith and without
liability or responsibility on the part of PPA, unless expressly
agreed to in writing.
14.6Nothing in the Conditions is to be interpreted as excluding,
restricting or modifying or having the effect of excluding,
restricting or modifying the application of any State or Federal
legislation applicable to the sale of goods or supply of
services which cannot be excluded, restricted or modified.
15.Cancellation
15.1If, through circumstances beyond the control of the Supplier,
the Supplier is unable to effect delivery or provision of goods
or services, then the Supplier may cancel the Customer’s
order (even if it has already been accepted) by notice in
writing to the Customer.
15.2No purported cancellation or suspension of an order or any
part by the Customer is binding on the Supplier after that
order has been accepted by the Supplier.
16.Miscellaneous
16.1The law of Victoria from time to time governs the Conditions
and the parties agree to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of Victoria, the Federal Court of Australia, and of
courts entitled to hear appeals from those Courts.
16.2Failure by the Supplier to enforce any of these Terms shall not
be construed as a waiver of any of the Supplier’s rights.
16.3If any of the Terms are unenforceable it shall be read down
so as to be enforceable or, if it cannot be so read down, the
term shall be severed from these Terms without affecting the
enforceability of the remaining terms.
16.4A notice must be in writing and handed personally or sent
by facsimile or prepaid mail to the last known address of the
addressee. Notices sent by pre-paid post are deemed to be
received upon posting. Notices sent by facsimile are deemed
received on the facsimile machine confirming transmission.
No notice or payment transmitted to PPA shall be deemed to
be have been given until it is actually received by PPA.
16.5PPA reserves the right to sub-contract manufacture, supply
or installation of any/all part of the goods, materials or
services contracted or quoted for.
17.Privacy
17.1The Supplier is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 and takes
steps to ensure that all personal information obtained in
connection with the Customer will be appropriately
collected, stored, used, disclosed and transferred in
accordance with the National Privacy Principles. Such
information may be accessed by request to the Supplier in
accordance with the Privacy Act.
17.2The Supplier requires that the Customer comply with the
National Privacy Principles in connection with any personal
information supplied to it by the Supplier in connection with
this Agreement.
18.Patents
18.1Where PPA has followed a design or instruction furnished by
the customer, the customer will indemnify PPA against all
damages, penalties, costs and expenses to which PPA may
become liable through any work required to be done in
accordance with those instructions involving an infringement
of any patent, trademark, registered design, copyright or
common law right.
19. Time of Delivery and Delay / Storage and Handling:
PPA reserves the right to invoice the Customer and receive
payment for the products even though Delivery has not
occurred due to Customers failure and or Council, Bankers or
any other external bodies influencing the project schedule.
Any goods held by Powerplants on behalf of the customer
may incur a storage and handling fee of 3% per month.
65
Powerplants timeline
66
The Powerplants team
providing solutions...
‘We have some of the best people in the industry and are always attracting
new talent, with some staff relocating from overseas. Our staff are hand-picked
to ensure the Powerplants brand moving forward is the best it can be’
Carl van Loon, Director
It’s been a long road to where Powerplants are today. Over
the past 19 years, Carl van Loon and the team have grown
Powerplants Australia from a business that started with only
himself, a ute and a fax machine, into a successful company
that now employs over 30 people. Carl’s expertise and hard
work has shaped the company into an industry leader specialising
in horticultural technical systems, greenhouse equipment and
greenhouse supplies. With the support of Co-Director Simon
Gomme in the role of General Manager, Carl can focus on his
passion: research and development of new products and
designing greenhouse projects with Growers.
Simon Gomme is a well-known identity in the horticulture industry. Joining Powerplants in 2011
as Co-Director, Simon oversees the day to day operations of the company. Simon’s main goal has
been to identify new business opportunities including expanding into other countries. Since Simon
joined Carl at Powerplants, the team has made it their mission to make customer solutions the
company’s focal point. By listening to their clients, they have been able to design new products
and promote existing products in previously un-entered markets that are in need of advanced
technology for nurseries, hydroponics and horticulture as a whole.
67