Thermal pest control specialist Lazo TPC has followed up the announcement of a strategic partnership deal with Univeg by visiting a number of leading fresh produce marketers based in the UK.
According to the company, a 'stream of orders' in the wake of last month's Fruit Logistica trade show in Berlin prompted Lazo TOP Global president and CEO Marty Fischer to join Frederik van der Monde, managing director of the group's European subsidiary, on a whistle-stop tour of the UK last week in order to meet with a number of interested parties and to assess the potential for extending the use its thermal pest control technology to the country.
'We have made some real progress and are confident we will be making some very positive announcements in the near future,' said Mr Van der Monde.
Lazo TPC already leases more than 30 machines across mainland Europe, bringing total international sales and leasing arrangements to over 150, covering a wide range of crops.
The TPC process involves briefly blasting crops and their surrounding environments with a high-velocity stream of 100°C air, inhibiting the development of micro-organisms and insects, and thereby reducing the need for pesticides.
Mr Fischer explained that the company was approaching the UK as a separate market fom Europe 'because of its unique climatic conditions, its trade structure and the direct relationships that producers and importers enjoy with the retail trade, which is among the most demanding and sophisticated in the world.'
Lazo TPC is already attracting strong interest among organic producers in the UK, with the first machine due to be delivered to Evesham-based organic produce supplier Organic Farm Foods.
However, the company said it was targeting both organic and conventional producers during last week's visit.
Meetings were also held with representatives from the topfruit and berries sectors, as well as exploratory discussions with members of the salads industry, an area where the TPC system has apparently been demonstrated to benefit baby leaf crops and herbs.
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