Joel Wearmouth is our Nursery Automation expert and project manager. We chatted to him about his love of new machinery concepts and smarter productivity for the industry he serves.
How long have you been at PrimeHort and what is your role?
I joined the team in 2011 and went straight into nursery automation sales. I recall my first order was a fairly simple Potting Machine to a grower in Christchurch. The role has evolved to meet new customer challenges, including customised greenhouse structures and fit outs, to high-tech robotic machinery like Fully Automatic Transplanters, smartphone-controlled Irrigation Booms, and even climate control systems.
Why do you enjoy doing what you do?
Every project is unique when it comes to machinery and the customers behind them. The industry is vast – from forestry nurseries to producers of microgreens or mass lettuce, NZ native growers, to vertical farmers pioneering ways to grow crops indoors. Our original customer base of native tree growers has diversified tenfold, and it keeps things interesting. Everyone I meet has real Kiwi ingenuity to try new things or let us find a solution to match their ideas.
Nursery Automation is rapidly evolving, how do you keep up?
Keeping up to date with industry trends in nursery automation is a constant focus. We’re fortunate to have global suppliers who lead the stage in their respective fields. Between us, we’re in touch weekly, and as a company we visit our supply partners annually. My next European visit is in June where I’ll spend time in UK, Holland, Germany, Belgium, and Italy. Our suppliers also put in an enormous effort to keep us knowledgeable and competitive – they respect the NZ industry and see us as strong contenders in everything we do. On a personal level, I enjoy following industry influencers on social media, and checking in with customers helps me stay up to date with new ideas or challenges.
What’s your number one tip for growers right now?
At the risk of sounding salesy, my number one tip is to trial nursery automation for a competitive edge! The industry is rapidly embracing the mechanisation of all costly and laborious tasks – it’s like an investment in reducing costs and scaling up profitability. Don’t risk falling behind. If unsure, we can discuss your current operational chokepoints and provide a workable solution. And we are open to discuss options based around cashflow and budgets.
What has been your most memorable work project to-date and why?
Our work with Crown Researcher, SCION is a standout. This comprehensive nursery redevelopment project led us into many industry ‘firsts’ for NZ, including an environmentally sustainable, year-round propagation facility and a sophisticated irrigation and greenhouse climate control hub. Nursery Manager, Matt Dunn reports they are growing pine from tissue culture seriously well and have halved their turnaround on cuttings set in trays for the next stage e.g. from 9-12 months to 4-6 months. SCION are wonderful hosts, so if you are curious about their work, I highly recommend visiting. Read more about our work with SCION in this blog.
When you’re not at the desk, what are you up to?
Spending time with my family and friends, enjoying a craft beer, staying fit with a game of squash, or heading to Gizzy for summer holidays.
Contact Joel to discuss your automation or greenhouse questions.
