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Aleia Roses

Aleia Roses is situated in a rural environment, over 1 kilometre above sea-level. The absence of big cities and industries makes for a bright, clean air.
Aleia Roses is situated in a rural environment, over 1 kilometre above sea-level. The absence of big cities and industries makes for a bright, clean air.
Being around one cannot miss Aleia, as it is honored to have an extensive amount of signposting leading whoever to the greenhouse. The grower feels, and is, most welcome, which is perhaps proven by naming the street Avenida de la Rosa.
Being around one cannot miss Aleia, as it is honored to have an extensive amount of signposting leading whoever to the greenhouse. The grower feels, and is, most welcome, which is perhaps proven by naming the street Avenida de la Rosa.
The area has been classified a business park. The government invites other companies to come and settle, a project to date not awfully successful. However, neighboring Aleia a biomass plant burning wood waste is in place, producing energy and CO2. This year, a pipe will be installed transporting CO2 from the plant to the greenhouse.
The area has been classified a business park. The government invites other companies to come and settle, a project to date not awfully successful. However, neighboring Aleia a biomass plant burning wood waste is in place, producing energy and CO2. This year, a pipe will be installed transporting CO2 from the plant to the greenhouse.
Thanks to Aleia Roses, a bunch of roads – among others the Avenida de la Rosa – is constructed.
Thanks to Aleia Roses, a bunch of roads – among others the Avenida de la Rosa – is constructed.
From a room assigned to receiving guests, one has a spectacular view over the crop. Not very easy to see, but look close and far away a window and a red door can be distinguished. That’s the border of the first, seven hectare greenhouse; behind, another seven hectare greenhouse is situated.
From a room assigned to receiving guests, one has a spectacular view over the crop. Not very easy to see, but look close and far away a window and a red door can be distinguished. That’s the border of the first, seven hectare greenhouse; behind, another seven hectare greenhouse is situated.
Luis Corella, owner & executive president & master mind of Aleia Roses. Only the name he did not come up with himself. Together with the logo, it is a proposal by a marketing bureau. Aleia is a non-existing girls name, having a kind and sweet tone to it, besides being easy to pronounce by people from all over the world. The logo, on the other hand, is both a crown, a diamond and a rose (and e heart?).
Luis Corella, owner & executive president & master mind of Aleia Roses. Only the name he did not come up with himself. Together with the logo, it is a proposal by a marketing bureau. Aleia is a non-existing girls name, having a kind and sweet tone to it, besides being easy to pronounce by people from all over the world. The logo, on the other hand, is both a crown, a diamond and a rose (and e heart?).
The greenhouse was built by Dutch greenhouse builder Dalsem and equipped with all modern cultivation techniques: a double screen installation, diffuse glass, vapors, fixtures, CO2, heating (from the lamps, but also through tubes both on the floor and hanging under the roof); a climate computer and extensive network of sensors for humidity, par and temperature is in place; spray nozzles are installed on top of the greenhouse to cool and keep the windows closed as much as possible; a fully circular water management system is in place, including filtration technique through and UV; and more.
The greenhouse was built by Dutch greenhouse builder Dalsem and equipped with all modern cultivation techniques: a double screen installation, diffuse glass, vapors, fixtures, CO2, heating (from the lamps, but also through tubes both on the floor and hanging under the roof); a climate computer and extensive network of sensors for humidity, par and temperature is in place; spray nozzles are installed on top of the greenhouse to cool and keep the windows closed as much as possible; a fully circular water management system is in place, including filtration technique through and UV; and more.
One of the over 300 employees at work. Half of them is employed permanently inside the greenhouse, cutting roses. Together they patrol about 180 kilometres of gutters, cutting about 100.000 stems of roses every day.
One of the over 300 employees at work. Half of them is employed permanently inside the greenhouse, cutting roses. Together they patrol about 180 kilometres of gutters, cutting about 100.000 stems of roses every day.
Roses are placed in water filled containers right away and transported to the cooling facilities.
Roses are placed in water filled containers right away and transported to the cooling facilities.
Particularly challenging was the training of skilled personnel. Hard to find anywhere, in this area of Spain there was literally no one to be found who knew a thing about roses and greenhouse production. However, by now Aleia got things on track.
Particularly challenging was the training of skilled personnel. Hard to find anywhere, in this area of Spain there was literally no one to be found who knew a thing about roses and greenhouse production. However, by now Aleia got things on track.
Aleia is proud to have a particularly varied workforce, representing an almost equal share of men and women, spread out over all ages and many nationalities.
Aleia is proud to have a particularly varied workforce, representing an almost equal share of men and women, spread out over all ages and many nationalities.
Luis explaining the ins and outs of production.
Luis explaining the ins and outs of production.
In basic terms: the whit tanks contain liquid CO2, which is turned into gas by the grey installations on the left. Behind you see a huge heat tank containing hot water.
In basic terms: the whit tanks contain liquid CO2, which is turned into gas by the grey installations on the left. Behind you see a huge heat tank containing hot water.
Operational Manager Sergio Moreno together with owner Luis Corella.
Operational Manager Sergio Moreno together with owner Luis Corella.
Thanks from the Belgium supplier AJK Hydrolift, with in the back the heat buffer tank.
Thanks from the Belgium supplier AJK Hydrolift, with in the back the heat buffer tank.
Two major water basis are installed, both having a 25.000 m3 capacity.
Two major water basis are installed, both having a 25.000 m3 capacity.
Of all the water used, about 2/3 is won the Douro river. The other 1/3 is rain (there is 500 to 600 mm of precipitation annually). The water level in the basins is monitored; when it falls below a certain minimum, extra water from the river is let in.
Of all the water used, about 2/3 is won the Douro river. The other 1/3 is rain (there is 500 to 600 mm of precipitation annually). The water level in the basins is monitored; when it falls below a certain minimum, extra water from the river is let in.
On the left Sergio Moreno, the man responsible for daily affairs at the nursery; then Luis Corella, owner & president; then CEO Dirk Hogervorst; and then Carmen Juan-Aracil and Francine van Wijk, both responsible for marketing and communication.
On the left Sergio Moreno, the man responsible for daily affairs at the nursery; then Luis Corella, owner & president; then CEO Dirk Hogervorst; and then Carmen Juan-Aracil and Francine van Wijk, both responsible for marketing and communication.
Aleia Roses solely produces Red Naomi. However, like about any rose grower, the grower experiments with new colours and varieties.
Aleia Roses solely produces Red Naomi. However, like about any rose grower, the grower experiments with new colours and varieties.
Roses are places on the belt.
Roses are places on the belt.
Heating is won either from the fixtures or from hot water transported through tubes. The ones installed right below the roof are there to prevent snow piling up in winter. Snow is not uncommon in the area and the greenhouse structures is built in such a way, that theoretically it can support two meters of snow. However, of course this is to prevented at all costs.
Heating is won either from the fixtures or from hot water transported through tubes. The ones installed right below the roof are there to prevent snow piling up in winter. Snow is not uncommon in the area and the greenhouse structures is built in such a way, that theoretically it can support two meters of snow. However, of course this is to prevented at all costs.
Within the greenhouse, the grower is actively trying to keep a biological equilibrium. This means pests are kept at bay largely by means of IPM, for example by mites (Amblyseius Swirskii) produced by Koppert Biological Systems. 
Within the greenhouse, the grower is actively trying to keep a biological equilibrium. This means pests are kept at bay largely by means of IPM, for example by mites (Amblyseius Swirskii) produced by Koppert Biological Systems. 
Right after harvesting, roses are transported into the cooling facilities.
Right after harvesting, roses are transported into the cooling facilities.
The cooling department is like a buffer, storing the flowers until the can be handled and prepared for shipment, wherein again they will be kept under freezing conditions.
The cooling department is like a buffer, storing the flowers until the can be handled and prepared for shipment, wherein again they will be kept under freezing conditions.
Handling of roses, roughly 100.000 per day, is a process requiring some pre-though with regards to logistics and  automation. That's why Aleia installed two Bercomex Furora flower bunching machines
Handling of roses, roughly 100.000 per day, is a process requiring some pre-though with regards to logistics and  automation. That's why Aleia installed two Bercomex Furora flower bunching machines
The roses are turned upside down
The roses are turned upside down
All flowers are photographed and its characteristics and measurements automatically registered. Right after, the different roses are bunched together with exactly these roses having the same measurements and quality standards.
All flowers are photographed and its characteristics and measurements automatically registered. Right after, the different roses are bunched together with exactly these roses having the same measurements and quality standards.
Nicely trimmed and bunched, bouquets are placed back on the belt.
Nicely trimmed and bunched, bouquets are placed back on the belt.
With every Furora, at least one person is permanently occupied with keeping the machine running. And whenever something goes wrong, to press the 'pause' button.
With every Furora, at least one person is permanently occupied with keeping the machine running. And whenever something goes wrong, to press the 'pause' button.
Sealing of bouquets is also fully automated.
Sealing of bouquets is also fully automated.
Thereafter, all bouquets are checked and placed into the buckets.
Thereafter, all bouquets are checked and placed into the buckets.
A visual inspection is important. In the end, the human eye and hand master any machine in determining abstract things like beauty and aesthetic presentation.
A visual inspection is important. In the end, the human eye and hand master any machine in determining abstract things like beauty and aesthetic presentation.
Digital sign giving instructions with regards to sorting and bunching.
Digital sign giving instructions with regards to sorting and bunching.
Ready for shipment.
Ready for shipment.
Bouquets ready for shipment are placed back in the cooling waiting for shipment.
Bouquets ready for shipment are placed back in the cooling waiting for shipment.
Ready for shipment. Inn 90 percent of the cases, the first destination is Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. 2 to 3 trucks drive to Aalsmeer daily, from where it is distributed to the other auction centres in the Netherlands and, of course, to buyers. The remaining 10% is distributed throughout Spain.
Ready for shipment. Inn 90 percent of the cases, the first destination is Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. 2 to 3 trucks drive to Aalsmeer daily, from where it is distributed to the other auction centres in the Netherlands and, of course, to buyers. The remaining 10% is distributed throughout Spain.
In logistics, Aleia closely cooperates with transport company Getru. This company is well established in Spain and Portugal, and the cooperation with Aleia actually allows them to bring something to Holland (which they used to visited before anyway, picking up flowers and plants for sale in the Iberian market).
In logistics, Aleia closely cooperates with transport company Getru. This company is well established in Spain and Portugal, and the cooperation with Aleia actually allows them to bring something to Holland (which they used to visited before anyway, picking up flowers and plants for sale in the Iberian market).
Francine van Wijk and  Carmen Juan-Aracil from the marketing department, together with Sergio Moreno. Together, they toured a group of journalists through the facilities.
Francine van Wijk and  Carmen Juan-Aracil from the marketing department, together with Sergio Moreno. Together, they toured a group of journalists through the facilities.
Storage tanks for irrigation.
Storage tanks for irrigation.
Pumps transporting water to the plants
Pumps transporting water to the plants
In this area, nutrients are added to the water.
In this area, nutrients are added to the water.
Drain is filtered by means of UV radiation.
Drain is filtered by means of UV radiation.
And also by means of cloth.
And also by means of cloth.
An employee cleans nets and containers used to transport roses from within the greenhouse to the cooling.
An employee cleans nets and containers used to transport roses from within the greenhouse to the cooling.
Heat is produced by means of two major gas turbines.
Heat is produced by means of two major gas turbines.
Last but not least, at the back of the facilities a plot of empty land lays waiting. Concrete plans did not yet materialize, but thought of expanding is existent. Sometime not too far away from now, a third block of another seven hectares might be added.
Last but not least, at the back of the facilities a plot of empty land lays waiting. Concrete plans did not yet materialize, but thought of expanding is existent. Sometime not too far away from now, a third block of another seven hectares might be added.
Not really visible on the photo, but on the horizon one can see snow-covered hills (a sight not very familiar to  many of us associating Spain with sunny holidays and Mediterranean beaches).
Not really visible on the photo, but on the horizon one can see snow-covered hills (a sight not very familiar to  many of us associating Spain with sunny holidays and Mediterranean beaches).