What Ridder does

Ridder is a Dutch privately-held provider of integrated mechanical, technical, and digital systems for the global greenhouse horticulture and adjacent livestock and crop-storage industries, founded in 1953 and headquartered in Harderwijk, Netherlands, under Ridder Holding Harderwijk B.V. The company's portfolio spans six product categories: process automation (Hortimax Pro, Hortimax Plus, and Hortimax Go climate computers with sensors and a Digital, Data & AI Solutions layer), drive systems (Smartdrive, Syncore, and legacy motor gearboxes), climate screens (Black Out, Energy Saving, Light Diffusion, Light Restriction, Sun Shading, and Overhang variants), water treatment (Fertimix fertigation, Vitalite UV-C disinfection, DrainChecker/ProDrain sensors), labor management software (Ridder Productive), and agricultural robotics (the GRoW autonomous tomato harvesting robot developed with MetoMotion). These modules are engineered to interoperate through the Hortimax climate computer as the central control hub, enabling integrated climate, irrigation, energy, water, and labor optimization, with quantified customer outcomes including up to 40% savings on water and fertilizer, up to 80% labor savings in tomato harvesting, and 75% reduction in installation time for Smartdrive.

Ridder monetizes through a hybrid model: capital hardware sales for drive systems, screens, water treatment equipment, and robotics; recurring subscription and licensing revenue for Hortimax climate computer software and Ridder Productive labor management; plus professional services including installation, helpdesk, and field support. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year enterprise contracts and a mix of direct enterprise field sales and a certified global dealer network spanning more than 40 countries. Regional sales and service offices in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Canada, the USA, Mexico, and China provide local commercial coverage, and the company sells into more than 100 markets overall. Primary end customers are glass and poly greenhouse growers (industrialized operations in both colder and warmer regions), with secondary demand from livestock farmers (ventilation, feeding) and crop-storage operators.

The company pursues growth through both organic product development and inorganic moves, including the 2011 acquisition of HortiMaX (water treatment, climate computers, labor management), the 2021 partnership and investment in MetoMotion for the GRoW robot, and ongoing technology integrations with partners such as Blue Radix (autonomous growing), RED Horticulture (lighting and energy), and Aranet (wireless sensors). Ridder is family-influenced, with COO Brigitte Nugteren (descendant of founder Frans Nugteren) on the leadership team alongside CEO Pascal Piepers, CFO Marleen van der Werff, CTO Erwin Althof, and Commercial Director Ronald Monster.

Name

Ridder

Legal name

Ridder

Website

https://ridder.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ridder is a Dutch privately-held provider of integrated greenhouse horticulture systems—spanning climate computers, drive systems, climate screens, water treatment, labor management software, and autonomous harvesting robotics—serving 1,000+ growers across 100+ countries through direct sales and a 40+ country dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Greenhouse Technology and Automation

NAICS

Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333111), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

CEA Monitoring, Sensors & Automation Software (SCADA, IoT, Climate/Recipe Control) (AFAAAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Control & Climate Systems (HVAC, CO₂, Ventilation, Dehumidification) (AFAAAHAB), Greenhouse Structures & Construction (Frames, Glazing, Benches) (AFAAAHAA), Autonomous Spraying & Crop-Care Robots (Targeted application, spot spraying) (AFAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Greenhouse climate control
• Greenhouse drive systems
• Climate screens
• Fertigation water treatment
• Agricultural automation software

Headquarters

HQ city

Leamington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware - Drive Systems: Sale of drive systems including motor gearboxes, roller-screen drives, roll-up drives, control components, worm gearboxes, rack drives, and accessories for greenhouses, livestock, and crop storage facilities.
2. Hardware - Climate Screens: Sale of climate screen solutions including Black Out (RBO), Energy Saving (RES), Light Diffusion (RLD), Light Restriction (RLR), Sun Shading, and Overhang screens.
3. Software - Climate Computers: Subscription and licensing of climate computer software (Hortimax Pro, Go, Plus) with connected monitoring and control capabilities.
4. Robotics - Harvesting Robot: Sale of GRoW autonomous harvesting robot for tomato cultivation.
5. Water Treatment Systems: Sale and ongoing service of water treatment systems including fertigation, UV disinfection, and sensor solutions.
6. Labor Management Software: Software and services for labor management with real-time productivity tracking, planning, and automated reward systems.
7. Professional Services: Technical support, installation, and maintenance services through helpdesks and field service engineers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ridder designs, manufactures, and sells integrated greenhouse technology systems for the horticulture and agriculture sectors, including motor-driven greenhouse opening systems, climate screens, climate computers, water treatment systems, labor management software, and autonomous harvesting robots. Its product portfolio is unified through the Hortimax open platform that connects sensors, drives, irrigation, energy, and labor data for greenhouse growers worldwide.

Product overview

Ridder offers a comprehensive, modular portfolio of greenhouse and agricultural technology products organized into six core categories: Process Automation (Hortimax Pro/Plus/Go climate computers with sensors and Digital/Data & AI Solutions), Drive Systems (Smartdrive, Syncore, motor gearboxes, and accessories), Climate Screens (Ridder Black Out/RBO, Energy Saving/RES, Light Diffusion/RLD, Light Restriction/RLR, Sun Shading/RSS, and Overhang screens), Water Treatment (Fertimix fertigation, Vitalite UV disinfection, DrainChecker and ProDrain sensors), Labor Management (Ridder Productive software platform), and Robotics (GRoW autonomous tomato harvesting robot). These products function as a unified, integrated system where the Hortimax climate computer platform serves as the central hub connecting and coordinating sensors, drive systems, climate screens, water treatment, and labor management modules. The architecture is modular and scalable, allowing growers to add or expand capabilities as operations grow.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HortiMaX: Brand acquired in 2011, providing water treatment systems, climate computers, and labour management systems. Continues to operate under the HortiMaX name in certain markets.
• GRoW
• Hortimax Pro
• Hortimax Go
• Hortimax Plus
• Fertimix
• Vitalite
• Smartdrive
• Syncore
• Ridder Productive

Products and services

• Hortimax Pro Climate Computer Professional climate computer providing integrated control over greenhouse climate, irrigation, and energy systems, with a mobile app for 24/7 remote monitoring, instant alerts, and real-time adjustments to greenhouse settings for commercial greenhouse operators.
• Hortimax Plus Climate Computer Flexible process automation climate computer offering scalable, modular control capabilities that grow with the operation, complementing the Hortimax Go and Pro range for advanced greenhouse automation.
• Hortimax Go Climate Computer Simple, efficient, and affordable climate and irrigation control solution providing basic automation for smaller-scale greenhouse operations.
• GRoW Harvesting Robot AI-powered autonomous tomato harvesting robot with dual robotic arms, AI 3D vision, onboard boxing system, and LiDAR navigation that operates 24/7 and delivers up to 80% labor savings and 50% cost reduction for vine tomato harvesting.
• Ridder Productive Labor Management Smart labor and production management software for greenhouse horticulture providing real-time productivity, quality, workforce planning, and plant-health insights, with ERP, payroll, and logistics integrations.
• Smartdrive Greenhouse Motorization Next-generation greenhouse motorization system that simplifies installation by 75% and ensures precise climate control through automated window and vent management.
• Syncore Synchronous Screen Control System for perfectly synchronous control of multiple screen installations across large greenhouse complexes, ensuring coordinated climate management at scale.
• Ridder Drive Systems (motor gearboxes, roller-screen, roll-up, control components) Reliable and accurate motor gearboxes, roller-screen drives, roll-up drives, control components, worm gearboxes, rack drives, and accessories for greenhouses, livestock, and crop storage facilities.
• Ridder Climate Screens (RBO, RES, RLD, RLR, RSS, Overhang) Comprehensive climate screen portfolio covering blackout (RBO), energy saving (RES), light diffusion (RLD), light restriction (RLR), sun shading (RSS), and overhang screens for greenhouse light, energy, and temperature management.
• Fertimix Fertigation System Precise fertigation system delivering control over nutrients and acidity of irrigation water to ensure crops are set up for success in greenhouse operations.
• Vitalite UV-C Disinfection UV-C water disinfection system ensuring greenhouse water streams are free of active pathogens, protecting plant health and enabling safe water reuse.
• DrainChecker / ProDrain Water Sensors Water sensor solutions for real-time monitoring of drainage, uptake, and crop development, providing insight into water and nutrient dynamics at the plant level.
• Ridder Livestock and Crop Storage Drive Systems Reliable, precise drive control solutions for livestock facilities and crop storage, covering ventilation, lifting systems, and nest expeller drives for barn operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 40% savings on water and fertilizers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• MetoMotioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with MetoMotion startup for development of GRoW - the first harvesting robot capable of picking, analyzing, and boxing tomatoes. Ridder invested in cutting-edge robotics and digitalization as part of this partnership, with GRoW now becoming part of Ridder's product portfolio.
• Blue RadixcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration between Ridder Hortimax Pro climate computer and Blue Radix autonomous growing technology. The compatibility between the two systems enables Tom d'Aqui and other growers to implement AI-powered autonomous greenhouse control.
• RED HorticulturestrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to strengthen integration between greenhouse lighting control and energy management. Through Hortimax Plus, the integration enables smarter lighting and energy management for growers.
• AranetstrategicTechnology or IntegrationUpdated integration enabling growers to gain deeper insight into crop and greenhouse conditions. Brings wireless sensor data directly into Ridder climate systems for enhanced data-driven growing.
• AgrocomponentesstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership to expand greenhouse solutions by combining leading technology, local expertise, and stock availability in Iberia (Spain, Portugal) and Mexico. Over 30 years of collaboration.
• Haluk Atamal LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDealer partner providing Ridder technology (Hortimax Pro App) to Turkish market, specifically supporting Açı Fide in implementing greenhouse monitoring solutions.
• GrodanstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in energy-efficient tomato growing research trials at Botany. Ridder provides climate screens supporting the low-heat full-LED strategy research alongside Grodan and Philips Horticulture LED Solutions.
• Philips Horticulture LED SolutionsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in energy-efficient tomato growing research at Botany. Part of multi-partner research program combining LED lighting with Ridder climate screens.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Priva: Dutch-based direct competitor specializing in climate computers, process automation, and water management for greenhouses. Closely comparable to Ridder's Hortimax line in target customers (commercial growers), product category (climate control), and business model (hardware + software subscriptions).
• Hoogendoorn Growth Management: Long-standing Dutch provider of climate and irrigation automation for greenhouses with a comparable climate computer platform. Competes head-to-head with Ridder Hortimax in European and international greenhouse horticulture.
• Svensson (AB Ludvig Svensson): Swedish manufacturer of greenhouse climate screens, directly competing with Ridder's Climate Screens portfolio (RBO, RES, RLD, RLR). Comparable product, customer base, and emphasis on energy and light management.
• Certhon: Dutch turnkey greenhouse solutions provider including climate, water, and automation systems. Comparable in serving international high-tech greenhouse projects with integrated technical solutions.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Brinkman: Dutch horticultural supplier offering a broad portfolio of products, equipment, and supplies for greenhouse growers. Comparable as an incumbent serving the same greenhouse customer base, but with a much wider catalog and less specialization in integrated climate control.
• KUBO Group: Dutch greenhouse builder and turnkey project provider with overlapping exposure to high-tech greenhouse projects. Comparable customer base and complementary to Ridder's equipment offerings within new-build greenhouse projects.
• Signify (Philips Horticulture LED Solutions): Global lighting giant with a dedicated horticulture LED business that partners with growers and integrators. Strategic partner with Ridder (Botany trials) but increasingly competitive as lighting vendors expand into broader greenhouse control and energy management.

Emerging players

• Blue Radix: Dutch AI/autonomous growing specialist that integrates with Ridder Hortimax Pro but competes at the software layer. Comparable as a partner/competitor for control over greenhouse decision-making and AI-driven growing.
• Heliospectra: Swedish horticultural lighting and sensor company with software for controlled environment agriculture. Comparable in serving greenhouse growers with technology that increasingly overlaps with climate and energy management.

Regional players

• Meteor Systems: Dutch provider of cultivation systems, growing trays, and irrigation/water management for greenhouses. Comparable product overlap in water treatment and growing systems, with similar European grower customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Ridder_horticulture
• Facebookfacebook.com/RidderGroep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riddergroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/ridder_horticulture
• Xx.com/riddergroup

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ridder