Ben Archibald has been in the glasshouse industriousness since he was 16 . Although both his business and the nursery industry look very different today compared to back then , there has been one invariant throughout that time ; a idolatry to turn , maintaining and sell only the clean and healthiest plants .
Employing over 20 staff , Touchwood Nursery currently operates on a 15 - Akka place on the southern outskirts of Perth . It ’s presently undergo a period of growth which has lead to the recent construction of a 16,000 square metre retractable roof production system of rules .
The succeeder of the business has been driven by an unrelenting dedication to preserving the quality of each plant at all points of the supply chain , from the purchase of stock and remark , mightily through to saving to customers , mostly big - corner retail merchant .
“ At Touchwood we have an unwavering focus on the quality of our plants . Of naturally , our plant need to be of a sure caliber to fulfil our contract bridge with the large retailers , but we aim much , much mellow , ” Ben said .
Ben Archibald , Owner , Touchwood Nursery
In 2015 , Touchwood joined the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia ( NIASA ) . The computer program consist a national set of ‘ respectable direction practice ’ guidepost for output baby’s room as well as growing media line of work and greenlife markets . The guidepost , which are available to all product nurseries , cover best direction practice crop hygienics , crop direction , land site management and water direction .
To gain and hold formal NIASA accreditation , businesses must undergo an independent audited account on an annual cornerstone to ensure their line is operating under the national set of guidepost .
significantly , the NIASA program underpins the Australian Plant Production Standard managed by Greenlife Industry Australia , which is a holistic arrangement designed to ensure a sustainable future for the nursery diligence . Critically , it ’s driven by what the market expects of a quality ware .
Whilst the elements included within the NIASA guideline are strict , according to Ben , they should be looked at as a minimum banner rather than a maximum .
“ Achieving NIASA accreditation should be doable for any production greenhouse who cares about the calibre of their product and the reputation of the industry , ” Ben said .
Touchwood has had a long and fruitful family relationship with the handsome - loge retail merchant but in a competitive marketplace like the nursery industriousness , a systematically strong and healthy plant is the difference between business unsuccessful person or success .
Many factors can adversely affect plant caliber , but pesterer and disease are unquestionably one of the most authoritative variable .
In rescript to keep its site safe from pest and disease , the greenhouse has a ‘ quarantine ’ surface area , where incoming stock is held until it can be strictly visit for any signal of pests and disease . It ’s a system that has turn wonders for the business , which proceed to persist complimentary from any major pest incursions .
“ The less opportunity we make for pests and diseases to enter our site , the less likely it is that our calibre could be compromised , ” Ben said .
“ It ’s a heat spot for us , but it also just makes obvious financial mother wit . bar is importantly cheaper than a cure when it come to pests and diseases as well as dope .
Touchwood Nursery , Western Australia
“ Take spray for example . By implementing strong processes to keep our site safe from pests before they reach the gate , it means we call for to spray less . Not only does this save us money on remark costs , but we are contributing less chemical substance to the environment . "
But perhaps the most important of Touchwood ’s plant security processes starts well before incoming stock is even on its mode to the nursery situation .
Touchwood ’s exceptionally high standards for plant caliber extends beyond the greenhouse ’s own functioning . It ’s also a philosophy employ to its provider .
“ We only purchase from a small , sure group of provider . We will only buy off other NIASA license greenhouse , or if a nursery is not formally credit we will not admit any Malcolm stock unless our staff have personally attended their site and ensured that their plant protection practices are at least at a NIASA level , if not more . ”
concord to John McDonald , National Biosecurity Manager , Greenlife Industry Australia , businesses like Touchwood , which operate under the NIASA guidelines do n’t just grow sizable plants but make real touchable business benefits .
“ NIASA certified business concern are typically more generative and more profitable .
“ Anecdotally we are hearing that once businesses are operate to NIASA accreditation and BioSecure HACCP enfranchisement levels , there is anything from a 3- 5 % initial productiveness gain derived from numerous shipway including reduced pesticide use , reduce British Labour Party and improved wastage levels .
“ When you consider the additional variables which are more impalpable , such as reduced administration , repeat custom through gamy character stock , and more stock availability at critical clip , we believe NIASA authentication can ameliorate productivity by up to 10 % to 20 % for an average production nursery , ” said Mr McDonald .
Ben Archibald is imploring other baby’s room to join the plan , not only for the sake of their own lucrativeness , but to provide greater note value for the accreditation itself . “ I believe that all yield baby’s room should be NIASA certified , ” Ben said .
“ By putting an vehemence on NIASA , we can pad the strength of the certification and help both ourselves and our customers differentiate between production nursery that might be put less vehemence on plant protection and hygienics from those , like ourselves , that are devoted to ensure a healthy , pest and disease free product . ”
Any occupation that is looking to research NIASA certification is encouraged to visitnurseryproductionfms.com.auto incur out more about the program as well as the other nursery corroboration programs such as EcoHort and BioSecure HACCP .
For more information : Greenlife Industry AustraliaT : ( 02 ) 8861 5100[email protected]www.greenlifeindustry.com.au
