Koppert Biological Systems: Total solution provider

“Yes, Koppert Biological Systems is growing” says Peter Maes, Marketing and Sales Director for Europe. Growth is seen in three directions. There is geographical expansion to the point that over half of Koppert’s sales are outside Europe. Peter Maes: “Development of the new areas carries through enormously.” Brazil, Russia, the Middle East, South America and India are mentioned as substantial growth areas.  Yosef Ouhlous, general manager for the Middle East and Africa region, explains that expansion in the new areas is driven by market demand, sometimes because the biological solutions are simply more effective and mostly because the sector is aware that this is the best method of crop protection.
Koppert is also growing in applications by taking the step from greenhouse growers to open-air (open field) production. Peter Maes: “We are in a transition period, coming from biological crop protection with a focus on insects and now moving towards the position of total solution provider. From the covered crops we see more and more solutions emerging for raw crops as well.” This calls for a new way of thinking. “It’s a matter of perception; where the focus used to be on problem solving, we now strive to prevent the problem from occurring.” Furthermore growth comes from new products.  In the total package that Koppert offers, prevention plays a key role. With their NatuGro system, Koppert starts with the soil. It uses biostimulants and useful micro-organisms to stimulate the growth of useful bacteria and fungi in the root zone of the plant. This results in disease suppression. Peter Maes: “We aim for plants with maximum resistance, so that minimum intervention is needed.”