Isii-Nitzan: At the cutting edge of technological progress

At Isii-Nitzan GmbH, sustainability and innovation are central to every system they create. Their data-powered products enable users to make informed decisions that promote efficient and eco-friendly practices, enhancing productivity while conserving essential resources. Each unit reflects the company's dedication to providing sustainable, high-tech solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture and water management.

In the changing industry, traditional practices are no longer enough. Growers must adopt high-tech solutions, and Isii-Nitzan GmbH's innovative systems deliver sustainable, efficient, and future-ready results.

 

Questions to Mateo Yanez Gloor, CEO Isii-Nitzan GmbH:

What is the long-term vision for Isii-Nitzan, and how do you see the company evolving over the next five years?

As Isii-Nitzan GmbH, we are committed to staying at the forefront of new technologies, constantly integrating them into our complete technology ecosystem. Our primary goal is to ensure that our systems are fully connected to all digital platforms, enabling seamless data exchange. This data is then converted into powerful analytics that optimizes system performance. In short, the digitalization of our systems is what will drive us to lead the best agriculture and horticulture projects worldwide. 

 

Which markets or industries are most important right now, and do you plan to expand into new areas?

For the past four years, our main focus has been on creating tailor-made solutions for the largest and most prominent cut flower growers in South America. Colombia is the world's leading producer of cut flowers, and Ecuador, especially its highlands, is known for producing the highest quality blooms. 

We identified a niche: optimizing irrigation and fertilizer practices to ensure consistent quality and production. Additionally, we introduced a new concept for post-harvest flower treatment, crucial for extending vase life. In a market that demands beauty and color, customers also want flowers that last longer in their homes. 

In 2024, we expect to meet our market targets in the cut flower industry. Starting in January 2024, we’ve begun developing solutions for vegetable growers, a market far larger than flowers. We’re adapting our technology to achieve similar results, focusing on consistent quality and yield. Currently, we are expanding into the markets of Mexico, the USA, and Canada, with Mexico as our top priority for growth.

 

How do you ensure that Isii-Nitzan responds to constantly changing market conditions and technological developments?

At Isii-Nitzan GmbH, we maintain a strong technology-driven mindset, continuously seeking new talent from around the world to fuel innovation. 

Staying one step ahead of our customers' needs is a top priority. By regularly attending major technology trade shows and forming joint ventures with leading industrial manufacturers in Europe, we strengthen our future outlook and ensure that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements, offering cutting-edge solutions to our clients.

 

How do you foster innovation and creativity within the company?

At Isii-Nitzan GmbH, we are proud of our team of young, talented industrial designers who work daily to create innovative solutions tailored to market needs. These designs are rigorously reviewed and refined by our team of application engineers to ensure practicality and effectiveness. Each week, we develop at least one new system focused on addressing specific market demands. These prototypes are designed with cost-efficiency, sustainability, and essential features in mind.

Our application engineers are hired locally in the markets we target, allowing them to assess and respond to the specific needs of each region, ensuring that our solutions are always relevant and impactful to the local market.

 

What role does sustainability play in your corporate strategy?

Sustainability is at the core of every system we design at Isii-Nitzan GmbH. We are likely the only solution in the world that integrates sustainability from the ground up, starting with maximum energy efficiency and precise water usage. Our systems minimize the overuse of chemicals and fertilizers, ensuring optimal application.

Understanding that water systems are prone to contamination, we developed on-site disinfectant generation to eliminate the need for transport, storage, and plastic containers. Every drop of water from our systems is tracked not just in volume but in quality and chemical concentration. We also continuously monitor soil or growing media to prevent overdosing and contamination, ensuring sustainable, efficient operations.

Our systems at Isii-Nitzan GmbH are also connected to real-time weather forecasts, enabling them to provide water precisely when plants need it, rather than relying on a fixed time schedule that doesn’t account for climate conditions. This integration allows us to optimize watering programs, taking into account factors like rainfall, humidity, and temperature, to avoid inefficiencies and unnecessary waste of water and energy. By adjusting irrigation based on actual weather data, we ensure that resources are used with maximum precision and sustainability, further enhancing the effectiveness of our systems.

 

Can you provide insights into any current or upcoming projects that are particularly significant for Isii-Nitzan?

We have been working for over 20 months with the largest cut flower group in the world, Elite Flowers Group, which operates extensive production facilities in Colombia, Ecuador, and Ethiopia. The project is focused on maximizing water efficiency on their farms while eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals and preventing harmful residues from reaching rivers, lakes, and other natural water sources.

This ambitious project includes on-site generation of eco-friendly disinfectants for flower hydration, fully automated dosing and mixing systems to prepare the hydration solution, and a modern 24/7 delivery system that supplies the solution on demand and exactly where it's needed. Additionally, a loop system is implemented to recycle used water, which undergoes ultrafiltration and disinfection, allowing it to be reused efficiently.

The project will commence preparations in October 2024 and is expected to be fully operational by March 2025. We project that Elite Flowers Group will save more than 90 million liters of water annually, prevent over 10,000 kg of plastic waste, and reduce energy consumption by more than 600,000 kWh per year. This initiative will create a significant reduction in the carbon footprint, with all data tracked and registered in the cloud, offering transparency for their customers. This is a truly sustainable project with measurable and proven environmental benefits.

 

What personal goals have you set for the next few years, both for the company and for your role as CEO?

As a company, Isii-Nitzan GmbH has established itself as a leader in the Quality Cut Flower sector and is now aiming to achieve the same position in the high-tech vegetable greenhouse industry in the regions we’ve targeted. Our growth is carefully measured and self-funded, as we operate without external investors or financial backing. We firmly believe that maintaining the exclusivity of our technology will allow us to reach our objectives and sustain our competitive edge.

As CEO, my focus is to drive this challenge forward while providing opportunities to young, newly graduated technicians. It’s part of our mission to create pathways for individuals in regions with limited opportunities, contributing to both our growth and the development of global talent.

 

How can S-GE best support you on your journey? What made you decide to become a member with us?

I was exploring organizations and government support for companies like ours when I came across Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE). After reviewing all the services S-GE offers for export promotion, I realized it would be a great opportunity for us to join. As a company that currently exports 100% of our technology and products, partnering with S-GE could provide valuable support.

S-GE’s network could significantly help raise awareness of our company, which would be a major advantage given our limited promotional budget. This partnership would enable us to gain visibility and present our products in international markets, even at industry-related trade shows that we may not be able to afford on our own.