Certhon
Certhon is a Dutch horticultural engineering firm founded in 1896 that designs and builds turnkey high-tech greenhouses, indoor farming systems, and autonomous growing solutions for commercial growers, investors, and agricultural researchers worldwide. It operates as a subsidiary of DENSO Corporation following its 2023 acquisition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersPoeldijk, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Certhon does
Certhon Build B.V. is a Dutch horticultural engineering company founded in 1896 and headquartered in Poeldijk, Netherlands, specializing in the design, construction, and lifecycle support of high-tech greenhouse and indoor farming installations. The company serves commercial growers, agricultural investors, and research institutions across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond, with named reference projects including a 200,000m2 production greenhouse for Shanghai YouYou in China, a sugar beet research facility for SESVanderHave in Belgium, and a solar-heated freesia greenhouse for Tesselaar in the Netherlands. Its core technology portfolio is built around an integrated hardware-and-software stack comprising Turnkey Greenhouses, Indoor Farming systems, the Gronos autonomous growing platform for industrial cherry tomato production, the SuprimAir semi-closed overpressure greenhouse system, the JSK cooling system, the Thevi yield-prediction tool, and the Certhon Control System (CCS) that orchestrates climate, irrigation, and energy installations across crop types.
Certhon generates revenue primarily through quote-based turnkey project delivery (one-time license and hardware sales model), supplemented by managed services and agronomic advisory delivered through the DENSO AgriTech Solutions joint venture. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales — a dedicated team of sales consultants, area sales managers, and a commercial director handles consultative selling of large, multi-million-Euro projects to growers and investors globally, leveraging international trade missions, industry events like GreenTech Amsterdam, and digital channels (website, LinkedIn, newsletter). The company was acquired by Japan's DENSO Corporation (FY2024 revenue $47.2B) in August 2023, following an initial 2020 strategic investment and the establishment of the DENSO AgriTech Solutions sales joint venture in May 2020, which now provides automation and robotics expertise combined with Certhon's horticultural IP to deliver climate-independent, industrialized growing solutions.
Certhon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Certhon
- Legal name
- Certhon Build B.V.
- Website
- https://certhon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Certhon is a Dutch horticultural engineering firm founded in 1896 that designs and builds turnkey high-tech greenhouses, indoor farming systems, and autonomous growing solutions for commercial growers, investors, and agricultural researchers worldwide. It operates as a subsidiary of DENSO Corporation following its 2023 acquisition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Certhon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Greenhouse Technology
- NAICS
- Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114)
- SIC
- Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms) (AFAGAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Greenhouse Structures & Construction (Frames, Glazing, Benches) (AFAAAHAA), Greenhouse Vegetable Production (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Leafy Greens) (AFAGAHAA)
Keywords
Where Certhon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Poeldijk
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Certhon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Turnkey Greenhouse Projects: Design, construction, and delivery of large-scale high-tech greenhouses for any crop, in every season, worldwide. Includes climate control, installations, and agronomic support.
- Indoor Farming Solutions: Controlled, year-round, climate-independent and sustainable indoor farming systems for higher yields with guaranteed fresher, cleaner and healthier results.
- Autonomous Growing Systems: Gronos system providing autonomous, efficient, and consistent cultivation through smart technology and data-driven control integrated with customer internal processes.
- DENSO AgriTech Solutions Joint Venture: Sales company offering horticultural solutions including next-generation products developed jointly, agronomic advisory, and aftermarket services as a total solution.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Certhon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Certhon designs, builds, and delivers turnkey high-tech greenhouse installations and indoor farming systems for commercial growers, investors, and researchers worldwide. The company offers three core product lines — Turnkey Greenhouses (large-scale high-tech greenhouses for any crop), Indoor Farming (climate-independent controlled environment agriculture), and Autonomous Growing systems (Gronos) — supported by proprietary technologies including SuprimAir semi-closed greenhouse systems with overpressure insect exclusion, JSK cooling systems, the Certhon Control System (CCS) for integrated installation management, and Thevi yield prediction software.
Product overview
Certhon offers a portfolio of greenhouse horticulture solutions organized around three core product lines: Turnkey Greenhouses (large-scale high-tech greenhouses for any crop globally), Indoor Farming (climate-independent controlled environment agriculture), and Autonomous Growing via the Gronos system (data-driven automated cherry tomato production). Supporting these core offerings are specialized modules including the Certhon Control System (CCS) for integrated management of all technical installations, the JSK Cooling System for climate management, the SuprimAir semi-closed greenhouse with overpressure insect exclusion, and Thevi yield prediction tool. The company operates through a joint venture with DENSO Corporation called DENSO AgriTech Solutions, established in 2020 to provide integrated horticultural solutions and aftermarket services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Turnkey Greenhouses Large-scale, high-tech turnkey greenhouse installations delivered to commercial growers worldwide for year-round cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and other crops. Includes custom engineering, construction, climate systems, and end-to-end project management.
- Indoor Farming Climate-independent controlled environment agriculture solutions enabling commercial crop production regardless of external weather or geographic conditions. Designed for growers, investors, and researchers requiring stable, predictable yields.
- Autonomous Growing (Gronos) Gronos autonomous growing system designed for hands-free, automated cherry tomato production. Leverages sensors, controls, and proprietary software to operate the entire growing process with minimal human intervention.
- DENSO AgriTech Solutions Joint venture service offering with DENSO Corporation providing managed agronomic services, including cultivation guidance, climate optimization, and aftermarket support for greenhouse operators and investors.
Quantifiable outcome
- YouYou Shanghai greenhouse produces 7,000 tons of vegetables annually (30-40 tons daily)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Certhon
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Certhon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature9 records
Certhon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DENSO CorporationcoreDENSO Corporation invested in Certhon in April 2020 and jointly established DENSO AgriTech Solutions in May 2020 as a sales company offering horticultural solutions. DENSO brings mobility and production expertise including automation and robotics technology, while Certhon contributes greenhouse horticulture techniques and cultivation knowledge. DENSO is a leading mobility solutions provider with US$47.2 billion revenue in FY2024. The partnership aims to develop next-generation horticultural solutions and industrialize agriculture through climate-independent growing environments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Certhon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects: Dutch turnkey high-tech greenhouse constructor headquartered in the Westland cluster. Directly competes with Certhon on large-scale, bespoke greenhouse projects for international investors and growers, with comparable end-to-end design-build offerings.
- Kubo Group: Another Westland-based turnkey greenhouse builder specializing in Ultra-Clima semi-closed greenhouses. Competes head-to-head with Certhon's SuprimAir technology in the premium, energy-efficient segment globally.
- Dalsem: Dutch high-tech greenhouse constructor with strong international presence and integrated climate/screen systems. Directly competes with Certhon on large turnkey projects in horticultural markets worldwide.
- Havecon: Dutch turnkey greenhouse builder focused on high-tech projects for vegetable, flower, and soft fruit growers. Closely comparable to Certhon on customer profile (commercial growers, investors) and delivery model.
Regional players
- Richel Group: French turnkey greenhouse builder serving primarily European and Mediterranean markets. Comparable turnkey business model and customer segments to Certhon, but with a more regional/Mediterranean geographic focus versus Certhon's broader international reach.
Broad incumbents
- Ridder Group: Dutch greenhouse technology incumbent providing climate screens, water treatment, and drive systems. Overlaps with Certhon's climate/water control capabilities but operates as a broad component supplier rather than turnkey integrator.
- Priva: Dutch climate computer and process automation specialist for horticulture. Competes with the Certhon Control System (CCS) on climate management software/hardware while partnering with Certhon on ecosystem projects (e.g., South Korea trade mission).
- Signify (Philips Horticulture LED): Global lighting incumbent with a dedicated horticulture LED business. Complementary to Certhon's greenhouse offerings (often specified into projects) but increasingly expanding into broader CEA solutions that may compete at the systems level.
Emerging players
- Blue Radix: Dutch AI-driven autonomous growing specialist whose algorithms overlap with Certhon's Gronos system. Smaller and software-only, but represents a focused competitor in the autonomous cultivation niche Certhon is targeting.
Others
- Netafim: Israeli global leader in precision irrigation and a broader provider of turnkey CEA infrastructure. Adjacent to Certhon's fertigation and greenhouse construction business; supplies complementary rather than directly competing technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Certhon social profiles
Digital presenceCerthon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Certhon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Certhon subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Certhon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Certhon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Certhon
What does Certhon do?
Certhon designs, builds, and delivers turnkey high-tech greenhouse installations and indoor farming systems for commercial growers, investors, and researchers worldwide. The company offers three core product lines — Turnkey Greenhouses (large-scale high-tech greenhouses for any crop), Indoor Farming (climate-independent controlled environment agriculture), and Autonomous Growing systems (Gronos) — supported by proprietary technologies including SuprimAir semi-closed greenhouse systems with overpressure insect exclusion, JSK cooling systems, the Certhon Control System (CCS) for integrated installation management, and Thevi yield prediction software.
Is Certhon a public or private company?
Certhon is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Certhon founded?
Certhon was founded in 1896. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Certhon based?
Certhon is headquartered in Poeldijk, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Certhon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Turnkey Greenhouse Projects are the primary driver. The others are indoor Farming Solutions, autonomous Growing Systems and DENSO AgriTech Solutions Joint Venture.
Who are Certhon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects, Kubo Group, Dalsem and Havecon. Richel Group is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Ridder Group, Priva and Signify (Philips Horticulture LED). Blue Radix is listed as an emerging player. Netafim is listed as an others.
Does Certhon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Certhon.
What industry is Certhon in?
Certhon's product category is Greenhouse Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAHAJ, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms), with a secondary code of AFAAAHAA, Greenhouse Structures & Construction (Frames, Glazing, Benches). Its NAICS code is 11141 and its SIC code is 3523.