Qualitree, a Dutch-syle wholesale nursery, was founded in 1994 by Gary Neels and Tony Van Oort, the result of their final horticulture project as students at the University of the Fraser Valley. What began as a small greenhouse operation has expanded into a high-tech nursery operation, with rail transportation, computer-controlled irrigation, and climate-control systems within the greenhouses.
It is this focus on using new technology to improve efficiency in existing growing and shipping systems that led the team at Qualitree to apply for the Traceability Adoption Program (TAP). “Through the implementation of enhanced production batch functionality,” says Financial Controller, Gerrit-Jasper de Vreede. “Qualitree now has the ability to generate comprehensive traceability reports that track plants from initiation to sale.”
Through the implementation of enhanced production batch functionality, Qualitree now has the ability to generate comprehensive traceability reports that track plants from initiation to sale. These reports, detailing everything from plant material origin to the full lifecycle of care operations and location history, provide complete transparency for internal teams and external stakeholders. This system empowers Qualitree to respond quickly and accurately to customer inquiries, regulatory requests, and sustainability goals. The traceability reports can be accessed at any point during a plant’s lifecycle and can be shared electronically or printed as needed, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer confidence.
A key success of this project is the seamless integration of the new traceability features into the existing iQ Grower ERP system. The enhanced traceability system aligns with both current and future regulatory requirements, making Qualitree a leader in traceability within the horticulture sector.
The lesson we learned is the importance of comprehensive change management in implementing technology upgrades. Clear communication, proper training, and continuous support are crucial to ensuring that users not only adopt the system but understand how it benefits their day-to-day operations.
This project has not only helped Qualitree meet regulatory requirements but has also positioned the company as a forward-thinking leader in sustainable and transparent horticultural practices. Qualitree is better equipped to handle future challenges and maintain a competitive edge in the industry, while contributing to a broader goal of sustainability and accountability in the agrifood sector.
This project highlights the positive impact of the TAP program in enabling businesses to adopt critical technologies that strengthen their operations, enhance regulatory compliance, and drive industry-wide innovation.
Qualitree opted to install custom-built software that would work seamlessly with their existing iQ Grower Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, called Aster. Aster software acts as a manager for all other ERP systems, allowing the tracking of important dates including planting, plant division, and maturity dates; it allows tracking of plant care information, such as trimming, spacing, moving, and spraying, and it also tracks plant location history, providing a complete record of plant movements across nursery and greenhouse locations. Aster also tracks associated records of all the plants, managing recorded pH levels, photo documentation, and observations by staff. Each of these functions were previously managed by individual programs with their own platforms. Now all are accessible through Aster, which provides real-time insights into plant history for internal stakeholders or external parties.
Aster has improved client relations. “This system empowers Qualitree to respond quickly and accurately to customer inquiries, regulatory requests, and sustainability goals,” explains Gerrit-Jasper. “The traceability reports can be accessed at any point during a plant’s lifecycle and can be shared electronically or printed as needed, enhancing both operational efficiency and customer confidence.”
Gerrit-Jasper is proud of the improvements Qualitree was able to make with the assistance of the TAP. “The enhanced traceability system aligns with both current and future regulatory requirements,” he said, “making Qualitree a leader in traceability within the horticulture sector. Qualitree is better equipped to handle future challenges and maintain a competitive edge in the industry, while contributing to a broader goal of sustainability and accountability in the agrifood sector.”
The Traceability Adoption Program (TAP) is funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The program is delivered by IAF.
