Press Releases

Scotts Technical Managers Participate in the 2007 National Floriculture Forum

MARYSVILLE, OHIO (April 3, 2007) – Fred Hulme and Keith Santner of The Scotts Company Professional Business Group spent several days last month taking part in the 2007 National Floriculture Forum (NFF) in the Netherlands and Germany. The trip’s main highlight was a visit to the International Trade Fair for Plants (IPM) in Essen, Germany, which had more than 58,000 visitors from over 90 countries. Hulme and Santner traveled with 50 industry professionals, a majority of those being university researchers. The Scotts Company was a platinum sponsor of this year’s NFF trip and paid the IPM show registration fees for 40 university researchers.

Highlights of the trip included a visit to PPO Lisse, the center of bulb and perennial research in Holland; young plant producer Ball Holland; orchid producer Hoorendoorn Orchideeen; European pot plant wholesaler Waterdrinker; and a tour of the Dummen facility.

“The Dutch floriculture industry is dealing with economic pressures by increasing dependence on automation,” said Hulme. “Dutch growers are still specializing in fewer crops compared to U.S. growers. The quality of the crops we saw was suburb and their marketing efforts and extensive research support are excellent resources to help them compete.”

At the IPM Show, Scotts was one of more than 1,400 exhibitors presenting their products. Other vendors showcased flowers, trees, flowering shrubs, plants, containers & pots, florist supplies, seeds and greenhouse technology. The show is the world’s largest event of its kind, bringing decision-makers of international floriculture together under one roof.

Hulme reported that the IPM show was a bit more formal than U.S. trade shows. “Booths tend to be more elaborate with beverage service and ample seating areas for face-to-face meetings at IPM,” he said. “The comprehensive show featured herbaceous and woody plant materials, chemicals, biological controls, equipment, hard goods, structures, crafts and flower arrangements. It is an excellent venue to see new developments in European horticulture.”

Based in Marysville, Ohio, The Scotts Company LLC is the world’s leading producer and marketer of professional horticulture products. The Company’s industry-leading brands include Osmocote® controlled release fertilizers, Peters Professional® and Peters Excel® water soluble fertilizers. New insecticide Benefit™ joins proven Scotts plant protection brands Rout® and OH2® herbicides; Banrot®, Truban®, AllBan™ and Zyban® fungicides; and Sanmite® and Ovation® miticide and ovicide products.