Metrolina Greenhouses, a US-based ornamental plant grower, has been awarded the 2022 International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) title by the International Association of Horticultural Growers (AIPH).
The coveted “Gold Rose” award was presented to Metrolina Greenhouses by Royal FloraHolland CEO Steven van Schilfgaarde at the AIPH IGOTY Awards 2022 on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at GreenTech Amsterdam.
Now in his 12e edition, the IGOTY Awards honor the best practices in horticulture from the best ornamental production nurseries around the world, celebrating the expertise and energy they bring to horticulture.
In addition to the Gold Rose award, Metrolina Greenhouses also won Gold in the Finished Plants & Trees category. The award was presented by AIPH General Secretary Tim Briercliffe.
Founded in 1972 by Tom and Vickie Van Wingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses has grown to employ over 1,500 people. Their two US locations include 20 million square feet of grow space. They grow and deliver live plants to over 1,400 outlets on the US East Coast, with an emphasis on quality, innovation and sustainability.
“It’s a great testament to our entire team, our 3,000 employees, everyone in America, who made this possible. This rose gold is indicative of all the hard work everyone puts in,” Abe said. van Wingerden, co-CEO of Metrolina Greenhouses.
Tim Edwards, chairman of the awards judging panel of six internationally renowned horticultural experts, commented: “The judges were extremely impressed with Metrolina Greenhouses, a company that started fifty years ago and has grown to impressive size by managing the difficult transition from one generation to the next. While still boasting the credentials of a ‘family business’, this highly efficient horticultural operation is clearly driven by a need to innovate and improve on every level.
“The company’s product line and production facilities are driven forward by continuous innovation and the company clearly brings that same demand for innovation to the need for continued progress in sustainability.”
The other winners of the IGOTY 2022 category were:
Young International Producer of the Year: Pablo Bazzani
Young plants
Gold: Wagagai Ltd, Uganda
Silver: Jens Meyer Jungpflanzen, Germany
Finished plants and trees
Gold: Metrolina Greenhouses, USA
Silver: Bunnik Group Bv., Netherlands
Bronze: Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited, Canada
Cut flowers and bulbs
Gold: Matina Flowers SAS, Colombia
Silver: Prim’rose (SCA Clémentine), Morocco
Bronze: Luxaflor Roses, Zimbabwe
Sustainability
Gold: Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited, Canada
Silver: Wagagai Limited, Uganda
Bronze: Sitio Kolibri, Brazil
“Over the past two years, you have all proven the strength and resilience of our sector and despite all the challenges the world faces, we have driven it forward. Tonight we celebrated some truly exceptional companies that are leading by example and leading the way towards what our industry needs to do,” said Bernard Oosterom, AIPH President.
The IGOTY 2022 Awards are supported by Main Sponsor Royal FloraHolland, Founding Partner FloraCulture International, Expo 2021 Sapphire Sponsor Hatay, Ruby Sponsors GreenTech and GLOBALG.AP and GGN Label, Pearl Sponsor Freddie’s Flowers, Flower Sponsor Dutch Flower Group and award partners CIOPORA and Center Horti Mondial.
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