Labor is scarce and expensive. Smart Staff brings together WPS automation solutions that take over repetitive, heavy, and time-consuming tasks without adding unnecessary complexity to your operation.
By combining robotics, logistical support, and intelligent software, Smart Staff enables growers to accomplish more with fewer employees.
Less physical labor, greater operational clarity
Smart Staff reduces labor requirements, creates stability on the work floor, and improves the efficiency of your available workforce. Tasks that are typically physically demanding or prone to error are executed automatically and consistently.
The result is a safer, more structured working environment that is better prepared for growth and long-term scalability.
Integrated robotic solutions that work together
Within Smart Staff, multiple solutions operate as one system. Robotics take over heavy and repetitive tasks in cultivation and order processing. Stacker and Destacker systems automatically unstack and restack trays to keep logistics flowing. The Floormanager automates placing, spacing, and picking up potted plants, representing a major step toward handsfree plant production. Smart Labeling ensures fast, accurate, and flexible labeling directly connected to orders and plant data.
More control with less labor? Discover how Smart Staff takes over repetitive and physically demanding tasks, creating greater stability, clarity, and continuity on your work floor.
An efficient greenhouse starts with processes that flow seamlessly together. SmartFlo is the modular intralogistics system from WPS that automates and structures internal transport within your operation. From potting and spacing to sorting and final order preparation, SmartFlo ensures plants move smoothly, in a controlled way, and at exactly the right time.
The system is suitable for a wide range of crops, including flowering plants, foliage plants, outdoor plants, and potted herbs. Thanks to its modular design, SmartFlo adapts to your workflow today and scales with you in the future.
One system, endless configurations
No greenhouse operation is the same. That is why SmartFlo is built from intelligent modules that can be freely combined. Straight conveyors, curves, inclines, and crossover solutions allow you to create routes that fit your specific greenhouse layout.
Need to cross an aisle or bridge a height difference? Extensions such as crossovers, extended sections, movable SmartFlo Track connections, and inclines keep the flow intact without compromising logistics or workspace.
Because SmartFlo is scalable, you can start small and expand later. The system grows with your business and forms a solid foundation for further automation.
Visibility and control with the SmartFlo Dashboard
All components within a SmartFlo installation are integrated into the SmartFlo Dashboard. From one interface, you see the complete intralogistics layout, including conveyors, e-corners, accessories, robots, and system controls.
Through the dashboard, you can:
For daily operation, remote controls are also available to manage specific route sections easily. This gives you full control without adding unnecessary complexity.
Smart extensions for every stage of your process
SmartFlo goes beyond transport alone. Additional modules allow you to add functionality exactly where and when you need it. Examples include counting units for volume insights, a Plant Spray Unit for irrigation during transport, and specialized conveyors designed for pots, trays, or buckets.
SmartFlo can also be integrated with Smart Staff solutions and the Plant Order System, enabling you to take further steps toward fully handsfree plant production.
Because conveyors are available in different widths and configurations, virtually any plant carrier or pot size can be accommodated.
Less labor, greater stability in the greenhouse
By automating internal transport, SmartFlo reduces the number of physical handling steps in your greenhouse. This lowers workload, improves ergonomics, and creates greater clarity and stability on the work floor.
At the same time, your logistics process becomes more predictable and easier to plan. Plants follow fixed routes at scheduled times, allowing employees to anticipate workflow and align processes more efficiently.
Why choose SmartFlo from WPS?
WPS does not simply supply individual modules. Our strength lies in designing and integrating complete intralogistics systems tailored to your business, your current workflow, and your future ambitions.
SmartFlo often serves as the foundation. The system is prepared for integration with other WPS solutions such as robotics, order-driven processes, and further greenhouse automation. This allows you to build step by step toward an integrated, future ready plant production system.
Curious how SmartFlo can improve your internal logistics? Discover how modular automation can create greater efficiency, structure, and scalability within your greenhouse operation.
Greenhouse surfaces are valuable. At the same time, high-quality orchid production requires control, uniformity, and crop protection. The patented Plant Growth Cell from WPS was developed for orchid growers who want to combine these challenges into one smart, future-ready solution.
Controlled growth in an automated environment
The Plant Growth Cell creates stable and controlled growing conditions while maximizing available greenhouse space. Each plant receives its own defined growing space, preserving quality and preventing damage. At the same time, the PGC integrates seamlessly with automated logistics systems, creating an efficient and scalable cultivation setup.
Flexible in every growth stage
The Plant Growth Cell is available in multiple sizes and configurations, designed to match different growth stages within orchid cultivation. This makes the system suitable for young plants as well as flowering orchids. The PGC can be integrated into existing cultivation setups or implemented in new automated greenhouse concepts.
Efficient space utilization and uniform plant quality
The strength of the Plant Growth Cell lies in its thoughtful design. The hexagonal shape allows cells to fit closely together, enabling higher plant density without compromising growth or quality. Each plant maintains its own space, resulting in greater uniformity, reduced damage, and a higher average number of branches per plant.
The PGC also promotes controlled vertical growth. Horizontal growth is limited, which reduces the need for manual corrections such as tying branches. This lowers labor pressure and increases predictability and reproducibility within the cultivation process.
Protection and optimized water distribution
The Plant Growth Cell protects the crop during critical growth stages and actively contributes to uniform water distribution. The intelligent design ensures that each plant receives the appropriate amount of water, helping prevent issues such as root rot and dehydration. This leads to healthier plants, more consistent quality, and reduced losses.
By combining protection with controlled growth conditions, the PGC creates a stable cultivation environment where quality remains central without requiring additional manual intervention.
Designed for automation, transport, and storage
The Plant Growth Cell is fully developed for use within an automated greenhouse environment. Plants grow optimally while stationary and can also be transported safely and in a controlled manner when needed.
The PGC can be easily placed in the Oval Plant Carrier, allowing plants to move through the internal transport system without damage or disruption. This prevents plant stress and supports consistent quality throughout the process.
Storage and logistical flexibility are also integral to the concept. The Plant Growth Cell is nestable for efficient storage when temporarily not in use. When needed again, cells can be automatically destacked and directed to the appropriate location within the system. This creates operational clarity and supports a streamlined logistics process.
The value of the Plant Growth Cell for growers
With the Plant Growth Cell, you invest in:
The Plant Growth Cell demonstrates how smart, well-engineered solutions contribute to Handsfree Plant Production. It delivers greater control, improved return on investment, and a greenhouse that truly works for you.
A strong example of the Plant Growth Cell in practice can be found at Plainview Growers in the United States. Since implementing the PGC, they have experienced clear improvements in labor efficiency and plant quality, while daily operations have become more structured and manageable. The combination of improved growing conditions and reduced manual handling makes a measurable difference in practice.
Curious what the Plant Growth Cell can mean for your operation? We are happy to discuss a solution tailored to your greenhouse layout, cultivation stage, and long-term goals.
De Lier, the Netherlands, 21-9-2026 – WPS has reached an agreement with Bercomex to acquire Terra’s potted plant sleeving activities. With this acquisition, WPS further expands its automation portfolio for potted plant growers, enabling them to integrate a larger part of their internal logistics and packaging processes into one connected automation solution.
Terra has many years of experience in automatic sleeving machines for potted plants. As part of the agreement, WPS will acquire the technology, existing installed systems, and specialized knowledge related to these solutions. This brings Terra’s expertise together with WPS’ existing automation solutions. For existing Terra customers, this means they can continue to rely on WPS for support, spare parts, and the further development of their systems.
Over the next six months, WPS, Terra, and Bercomex will work together to ensure a smooth transfer and integration of the activities into WPS. During this period, WPS will invest in further product development, service, and commercial support for the Terra potted plant sleeving machines.
Terra’s activities in the cut flower sector are not part of the agreement and will remain with Bercomex and Terra International.
The next step toward integrated potted plant automation
For growers, producing efficiently and at scale while reducing dependency on labor is becoming increasingly important. By intelligently connecting individual process steps, automation can take over a growing share of the work.
“With the addition of Terra’s potted plant sleeving machines, we are taking an important next step toward a complete automation solution for potted plant production,” says Michael Meijler, Commercial Manager at WPS. “By intelligently connecting more and more process steps, we can help growers reduce labor requirements, work more efficiently, and create greater control and peace of mind in their daily operations. Together, we are continuing to move toward Handsfree Plant Production.”
With this acquisition, WPS strengthens its position as an automation partner for the international potted plant industry. By increasingly connecting logistics, processing, and packaging, WPS aims to help growers create future ready operations that can scale with their ambitions.
Enjoy Handsfree Plant Production
WPS is a family-owned company with over 25 years of experience in developing smart, tailor-made automation solutions for horticulture and plant research. From internal transport and order processing to robotics and phenotyping, we help growers and researchers work more efficiently, reduce labor dependency, and gain greater control over their operations.
Our goal? To make your greenhouse work for you. By automating time-consuming processes, we help you save time, reduce hassle, and prepare your business for future growth.
Ready to take the next step toward Handsfree Plant Production? Visit us at IPM Essen and discover how our automation solutions can be tailored to your operation.
Plan your visit to the trade fair!
