On 15 June 2009, Gartneriet PKM A/S received King Frederik IX's award for excellence in export. Throughout the last 5 years PKM is doubled in size and turnover, the export is still increasing and amounts to 85% of the turnover now. A market share of 45% makes PKM to the world’s largest producer of the variety Campanula (bellflower). PKM export youngplants to USA, Canada and Japan, which is extremely complicated due to strict plant health regulations. There is still a huge growth prospect at new markets with licence and export of unrooted cuttings. Under the trademark FAIRYTALE FLOWERS® Gartneriet PKM A/S markets the four main products of which the most important is Campanula (bellflower). Gartneriet PKM A/S produces approximately 22 mio. pot plants per year of which nearly 85% are exported. A production and export which has increased considerably the last years and which means that Gartneriet PKM A/S is considerably above the average. A major part of the production is sold via continuous fixed agreements with exporters and Danish or International chains of shops. This provides a fine basis for planning the productions and investments in future.
Innovation, research and development
With a market share at 45% Gartneriet PKM A/S is the world’s largest producer of Campanula and in December 2007 the nursery extended with another 24.000m² to meet the continuous growth of demands. Campanula is a variety, which is difficult to control as regards budding and flowering, but an intensive piece of work in R&D has enabled a commercial production with a wide assortment.
Gartneriet PKM A/S spends approximately 5% of the turnover at product development. The research and development produced by Gartneriet PKM A/S has a rub-off effect on others in the trade, who are inspired by products and technology from the company.
The PKM philosophy is that this development is natural and also a challenge for the nursery to stay leading in the market. Gartneriet PKM A/S spends considerable resources to ‘listen to the market’ and to be updated with trends within colours and assortment, which means current innovation and product development. In this way the nursery currently tests new products which are not in the market.
An example of a new product, also with a valuable publicity, is THE CROWN PRINCESS' BELLFLOWER®, which is named by HRH the Danish Crown Princess Mary in 2006. The interest for this flower has been great all over Europe and this has promoted the export of the flower. Since the flower is a new and epoch-making product from Denmark it will act as a doorway and contribute to increase the export for the trade all in all and promote Denmark’s respect in foreign countries.
Well-known PKM trademarks are FAIRYTALE FLOWERS®, under which we market our Campanula MEE® Selection: GET MEE®, WONDER®, THE CROWN PRINCESS' BELLFLOWER®, PRETTY MEE® and SWEET MEE®, our Schlumbergera FLAME® Selection and our Rhipsalidopsis FIRE® Selection. All trademarks are registered and all plant varieties are patented.
Current efforts are made to improve the quality and the durability of the products, since FAIRYTALE FLOWERS® is not only a trademark which is associated with Gartneriet PKM A/S but also associated with Denmark.
Furthermore PKM exports youngplants to USA, Canada and Japan. These markets make huge demands on plant health. It is estimated that Gartneriet PKM A/S has a huge growth potential at new markets with licence production and export of unrooted cuttings. In 2008, Gartneriet PKM A/S entered a joint venture co-operation with a local nursery in Kenya on the outskirts of Nairobi. With support from DANIDA approximately 7 mio. DKK has been invested in 10.000m² greenhouse area.
