Press Release - November 2007

Drip irrigation leader Netafim has announced the establishment of the first of two research institutes in Skierniewice, Poland, with a contract to build a second institute in Krakow. The cost of the two stations is estimated at some 3 million Euros.

The heart of each research institute is a glasshouse covering an area of 2,500square meters, containing the most advanced agricultural technology. "The purpose of this research institute is to provide optimal conditions for research and development of local produce, with a view to improving local glasshouse growing methods and making them more efficient", said Eitan Zauberman, Managing Director of Netafim Poland.

The research institute, which Netafim announced at the recent prestigious HORTIFAIR exhibition in Holland, are equipped with state-of-the-art irrigation technology, including: sprinkler and filtering systems; heating systems; water recycling; climate and irrigation control; plant monitoring; and more.

The 3 million Euro project is being financed mainly by the European Union. Poland was chosen as the site due to its having become the principal supplier of clean greenhouse produce to the rest of Europe. Poland and the EU have made massive investments in recent years in new greenhouses throughout Poland's vast agricultural areas.

As Netafim President & CEO Ofer Bloch told HORTIFAIR participants: "Netafim is operating today in more than 110 countries with some 50 experts and senior consultants in the greenhouse field. The establishment of the research institute in Poland is a further breakthrough that places Netafim at the top of companies that can supply customers with the technological knowhow for greenhouse research and development, and the most advanced solutions."

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