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PLANTEC: 35 Years of Excellence and Innovation in Floriculture

Pioneering a Vision that Transformed Ecuador's Flower Industry


As PLANTEC celebrates its remarkable 35th anniversary this month, we look back at the extraordinary journey that began in 1990 when Carlos Krell founded Plantador, the first company in Ecuador dedicated to selecting and producing rose varieties specifically suited to South American growing conditions.


Aviram Krell, Santiago Jarrín, Sofía Sánchez, Carlos Krell
Aviram Krell, Santiago Jarrín, Sofía Sánchez, Carlos Krell

The early days presented significant challenges. With initial skepticism from local growers who believed that "varieties and plants must come from Europe," the company struggled to produce its target of 100,000 plants in its first year, managing only 20,000. Finding skilled grafters was another obstacle, leading the company to bring expertise from Israel to train local talent and develop techniques still used throughout the industry today.




Despite these challenges, PLANTEC's founders remained committed to their revolutionary vision: that varieties should be selected in the countries where they would be cultivated, and that plants could be successfully produced in South America. This pioneering approach, once questioned by many, has become the industry standard, with 100% of rose varieties now planted in Ecuador being selected within the country.


PLANTEC introduced several groundbreaking innovations to Ecuador's floriculture sector:

  • Created the first experimental areas to showcase new varieties

  • Organized the first Ecuadorian Floriculture Open House in 1991

  • Introduced crucial varieties like Marlyse, Peckoubo, Anna, Virginia, Star 2000, and First Red

  • Coined the term "mini-plant" and revolutionized production methods, reducing growing time from six months to seven weeks

  • Grew to become the world's largest producer of cut rose plants with over 70 hectares of production.

Through partnerships with prestigious breeders including W. Kordes, Interplant, Delbard, PRO, Grandiflora and Fazari, PLANTEC expanded its selection processes exponentially. Today, the company evaluates more than 8,000 varieties annually through sophisticated processes developed in-house.


What began as a vision 35 years ago has helped transform Ecuador into the country with the greatest number of hectares dedicated to rose cultivation worldwide. Ecuador is now synonymous with the newest varieties and produces the most valued roses globally, with PLANTEC playing a crucial role in establishing this prestigious "country brand."

In 2006, Plantador Cia Ltda evolved into Technical Plants Plantec Cia Ltda, consolidating its leadership in miniature plant production and variety selection. The company's production has grown from those challenging first 20,000 plants to several million units annually, serving clients across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and previously Ethiopia.


Throughout its journey, PLANTEC has remained committed to developing local talent. Key team members like Santiago Jarrin and Sofia Sánchez have been with the company for decades, rising through the ranks to leadership positions. This commitment to building an Ecuadorian team has been fundamental to the company's philosophy from the beginning.

PLANTEC has also witnessed and contributed to the transformation of working conditions in Ecuador's agricultural sector, supporting the development of professional standards, legal social benefits, and improved working conditions throughout the industry.


Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence


PLANTEC celebrated this extraordinary milestone with a special event commemorating 35 years of innovation, quality, and partnership. The company's remarkable journey will also be featured in an exclusive magazine being published with the support of "Ecuador y sus Flores," documenting how a visionary idea grew into a transformative force for Ecuador's floriculture industry.


From its founding principle that "our client is our partner," PLANTEC continues to lead the industry forward, maintaining its commitment to innovation, quality, and the ongoing development of Ecuador's prestigious position in global floriculture.

 
 
 

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