Rainbow greenhouses

Infobox Company |
company_name = Rainbow Greenhouses, Inc.
company_
company_type = Private
foundation = Chilliwack, British Columbia (1985)
location = Chilliwack, British Columbia
key_people = Stan Vanderwaal, President and CEO
industry = Floriculture
company_slogan = color your life
revenue = gain C$26 million
num_employees = 150+ (2007)
homepage = www.rainbow.ca [http://www.rainbow.ca]

Rainbow Greenhouses, Inc. is a wholesale grower and distributor of potted plants, located in Chilliwack, British Columbia Canada. The company serves various markets in Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. They have also expanded into the United States: Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

History

Stan and Wilma Vander Waal, started Rainbow Greenhouses in 1985 as a business brokering potted plants and cut flowers into the Seattle WA marketplace. While he was quite successful, the marketplace was fiercely competitive at the time, so in 1986, Rainbow became a wholesaler/broker for a Northern B.C. and Alberta market place. They continued this for three years selling to a variety of chain stores, florist shops and garden centers.

In 1988, Rainbow purchased its current location on South Sumas Road. The growing area was listed as 26,000 sq. ft. but it was not operational. In fact, it was in need of major repair and upgrade. The plan had been to refurbish the property, return it to an operating enterprise and then re-sell it. However, the operations were profitable and expansion plans were made.

In the beginning, the company sold most of its product through the United Flower Growers auction. In 1993, the company hit some financial difficulties due to a snowy and very cold winter. This resulted in some frozen product and a cave-in from snow of some of the greenhouses. As part of its plan to improve its financial health, Rainbow started their own direct marketing program.

The plan was successful and the company has remained profitable ever since. The success led to additional demand and customers and the greenhouse complexes were expanded, in a step fashion, up to its current size of 450,000 square feet. Rainbow's customer base consists of several of the “big box” retailers and garden centers, and is regularly present at the United Flower Grower's auction.

In July 2003, Stan and Wilma acquired Rosedale Greenhouses and Farm Ltd formerly owned by Stan's parents. This additional 150,000 square feet of growing space, produces mainly Reiger Begonias, Potted Mum, Gerbera, Poinsettias, Hydrangea, New Guinea and a mix of spring Baskets.

Automation has become an important way of completing day-to-day tasks. The company has invested in Visser Transplant and Space-O-Mat systems to get planting done in a timely manner. Echo basket systems dominate all of the newer facilities allowing all basket work to be completed from the main walk way. The majority of watering is completed by ebb and flood systems and watering booms.

Products

Rainbow Greenhouses Inc. produces a plethora of flowering and ornamental plants including tropical house plants, seasonal baskets and planters, cacti, succulents, and vegetable producing starts.

External links

*Company Website [http://www.rainbow.ca]