Spring Meadow Nursery takes the next step in automation

Growth in e-commerce is a good problem to have. But as many growers know, it quickly brings new challenges. More orders, more manual handling, and increasing pressure on labor and logistics.

At Spring Meadow Nursery, this reality became clear. What started as a small online activity has grown into a serious and rapidly expanding business. Existing processes were optimized step by step but eventually reached their limits.

The question became clear: how do you continue to grow, without losing control?

Together with WPS, Spring Meadow took a major step forward with the implementation of an e-commerce Plant Order System.

The goal was not just automation, but creating a system that:

• Reduces dependency on labor
• Increases efficiency in order processing
• Maintains control during peak moments
• Scales with future growth
• Offers a user-friendly system that simplifies process control

The solution connects order data directly to the operation on the floor. Plants are picked in the greenhouse, automatically sorted, and delivered to the packing stations in one continuous flow. This significantly increases packing speed, reduces manual and repetitive work, and ensures a reliable match between product and order.

Orders from the existing system are directly linked to the WPS Order Control Software, ensuring that plants are automatically routed and collected based on real time demand. This creates a smooth and reliable process, even when order volumes fluctuate.

What makes this project stand out is not just its scale, but its complexity.

Plants are picked directly in the greenhouse and placed in carriers, where each plant is identified and tracked throughout the system. Through smart buffers and routing,

orders are automatically assembled and guided towards cleaning, packing, and shipping.

With capacities of up to 2000 plants per hour and intelligent buffering systems, the operation gains the flexibility to handle peak periods without disruption.

At the same time, the system remains practical. It fits within the existing greenhouse structure, supports daily workflows, and keeps operators in control through intuitive software and clear system feedback.

E-commerce is dynamic. Seasons change, demand fluctuates, and product ranges evolve. That is why scalability was a key requirement from the start. The system is designed to handle current volumes, while already preparing for future expansions in both greenhouse and processing areas.

By integrating software, logistics, and physical transport into one system, Spring Meadow now has a foundation that grows along with the business.

For growers facing similar challenges, the story of Spring Meadow is a familiar one. You optimize processes, improve workflows, and push efficiency step by step. But at a certain point, real progress requires a different approach.

Automation is not just about replacing labor. It is about creating structure, predictability, and room to grow. This also means less physical strain for employees and more consistency in daily operations.

The implementation, from mechanical installation to full system testing and software integration, shows what can be achieved with clear planning and strong collaboration.

With this project, Spring Meadow Nursery takes a significant step toward Handsfree Plant Production, creating an operation where plants move efficiently through the process. A future ready system, built to support growth today and tomorrow.