October 3, 2017

Philips Lighting Signs Deal With Glinwell PLC For First 100% LED Installation in The UK to Grow High-Wire Cucumbers

Eindhoven, The Netherlands – Philips Lighting (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today announced that Glinwell PLC, a leading UK producer of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplants, is installing the UK’s first 100% LED grow light system for cultivating high-wire cucumbers. In recent years, high-wire growers have been rapidly adopting LEDs as supplemental lighting systems for their crops and have experienced higher yields, more consistent quality and the ability to move to continuous production. These results convinced Glinwell PLC that a 100% LED system was the best way for them to produce high-quality, British-grown cucumbers all year long to meet growing demand from UK retailers. 

The only way is up

 “For years, we have seen growers reap the benefits of using our LEDs in the cultivation of high-wire tomatoes. These range from higher yields and better quality fruit to more control over the growing climate and energy costs,” said Udo van Slooten, Business Leader Horticulture at Philips Lighting. “Now we see these benefits also being achieved by high-wire cucumber growers. We expect that the only way is up for LED in high-wire cultivation.”

Shaping the future

“We’re proud to be participating in this ‘first’ for the UK high-wire cucumber market,” said Joe Colletti, Director of Glinwell PLC. “During the winter months, we produce our cucumbers at our own overseas nurseries. We expect that this move will enable us to start growing cucumbers also on British soil, every month of the year. Not only does this greatly reduce our food miles, it allows us to meet the demands of some of Britain’s largest retailers, who want to offer consumers fresh, tasty products that are locally sourced.”

Philips Horticulture Partner Cambridge HOK will be installing the 100% LED system which consists of two lines of Philips GreenPower LED interlighting and one line of Philips GreenPower LED toplighting. The project will be undertaken jointly by Eduard Udyanskyy, Growing Manager at Glinwell PLC, and Erik Stappers, Plant Specialist at Philips Lighting.  

For further information, please contact:

Philips Lighting, The Netherlands

Daniela Damoiseaux, Global Marcom Manager Horticulture 

Tel: +31 6 31 65 29 69
E-mail:  daniela.damoiseaux@philips.com 
www.philips.com/horti 

About Philips Lighting

Philips Lighting (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting products, systems and services, delivers innovations that unlock business value, providing rich user experiences that help improve lives. Serving professional and consumer markets, we lead the industry in leveraging the Internet of Things to transform homes, buildings and urban spaces. With 2016 sales of EUR 7.1 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees in over 70 countries. News from Philips Lighting is located at the Newsroom, Twitter and LinkedIn. Information for investors can be found on the Investor Relations page. 

About Glinwell PLC

Glinwell PLC is a second-generation family run business, produce and marketing company growing cucumber, tomato, pepper and eggplants. The company is accredited to BRC, Soil Association and the Farm Assurance Fresh Produce Scheme. Because Glinwell PLC is involved at board level in the Pepper Technology Group, Cucumber Association and Tomato Growers Association – as well as being involved in the Lea Valley Growers Association and Soil Association Working Party – it is part of the voice of the industry. Glinwell PLC is helping to shape the future. Its growing methods keep it as natural as possible from the purchase of high grade seeds, the attention to detail with the growing of the plants and the care taken in harvesting the produce. More information can be found on its website: www.glinwellplc.com 

About CambridgeHOK

CambridgeHOK is the UK’s leading Glasshouse, Heating and LED lighting specialist (certified Philips Horticulture LED Partner) with expertise managed by its own inhouse design engineers. It specialises in bespoke turnkey design and installation, adapting every solution to the client’s needs using the very latest in technology. More information can be found on their website: www.cambridgehok.co.uk