Since its acquisition by KUBO in 2022, SDF Horti Software has gained new momentum and has continued to grow as a leading player in the international horticultural sector. From their location in the Dutch Innovation Factory, they work with innovative partners and educational institutions on sustainable solutions for process optimization and efficiency improvements in floriculture. In this article, Marc Rooijakkers and Pieter Zwinkels share how SDF, with products such as Hortiflow and their advanced ERP packages, plays a crucial role in the success of horticultural companies worldwide.
In the Dutch Innovation Factory, where innovative IT companies and ambitious students come together, SDF Horti Software has found its place since 2022. An innovative company with an impressive history and a crucial role in the horticulture sector. How does the Zoetermeer-based software company manage to be a leader in the horticulture sector for both national and international customers? Marc Rooijakkers (Director of SDF Horti Software) and Pieter Zwinkels (Manager Sales & Consultancy) have the floor!
SDF specializes in software for ornamental and (food) horticulture with customers all over the world. “We supply software especially for ornamental horticulture, in the Netherlands, but also worldwide,” says Pieter. “Our software products optimize various processes at our customers: from labor registration to (order) logistics. Thanks to our complete ERP package, we can support customers throughout the entire process, from plant to sales.”
Success factor
SDF has a strong focus on process optimization through consulting. “We are process optimizers and help our customers to be more successful than their competitors.” We have a lot of knowledge and expertise about the industry and we see the software we integrate as a toolbox with which we can facilitate in all of our customers' processes.
One of the innovative products SDF recently launched is Horti Flow. “Orders used to be processed, printed and handled manually. Now we work with tablets and automated processes,” Marc enthuses. “This provides customers with continuous, digital insight into the status of their orders and makes the whole process more efficient.” Due to labor shortages, for example, there is a lot of interest in this and we as SDF are responding to that.
Unique position
With more than 300 customers, SDF has become indispensable in the horticulture industry. “We have both small and large customers. Our ERP packages are modular. So a smaller grower can also work with our software with fewer functionalities at lower costs. Larger companies can make it as crazy as they want with us,” Marc explains. “We possess a unique place in this market because we facilitate both the logistics and the ERP part.”
New impetus
The acquisition of KUBO in 2022 has given new impetus to SDF's growth. Whereas in the past much focus was on customization, SDF now strives more for a unified product. “Under KUBO, we agreed to highlight our eight main products more with the corresponding functionalities. The success: customers now know much better what to expect from us.”
The acquisition created a partnership between KUBO and SDF. KUBO builds the greenhouses, SDF supplies the software that controls the greenhouses and HAWE, also part of KUBO controls the hardware, such as cultivation tables and motors. The cooperation of all three parties allows them to provide customers with a fully integrated project.
Since moving to the Dutch Innovation Factory (DIF), SDF feels right at home. “For us, the DIF was a breath of fresh air,” says Pieter. “Our previous location was a horticultural site. Here, in the middle of innovative, IT companies and with the connection to education, we feel much more at home as a software company.”
Cooperation with educational institutions is of great value to SDF. For example, the company regularly collaborates with students on assignments and challenges, and its participation in a WE-IT event was a success. “We recruited a new colleague through the Apprenticeship Office who has now been given a permanent contract,” Marc shares proudly.
SDF is part of the KUBO Group, a world leader in the development of innovative and sustainable greenhouse construction. They are known for their high-tech solutions such as the Ultra-Clima® greenhouse concept and CO2-negative growing.
Sustainability also suits SDF Horti Software. SDF's software solutions help horticulture companies make data-driven decisions, optimize cultivation processes and reduce energy consumption. By integrating smart technologies, SDF Horti Software enables companies to gain real-time insights into their growing conditions, leading to higher yields and lower energy consumption.
The combination of KUBO's innovative greenhouse construction and SDF's advanced software creates a more efficient, sustainable horticultural sector.
This post was written by Dutch Innovation Park.
Source: Dutch Innovation Park