East Yorkshire vertical farm specialist launches new automated indoor growing facility concept

East Yorkshire based Vertical Farm specialist Cambridge HOK has pledged to lead “the next evolution of the industry” having launched a new “concept to completion” package to provide investors and retailers with their own fully automated indoor growing facilities.

With 10 years’ experience of building and operating Vertical Farms both in the UK and Europe, the business says the market is now ready for large-scale commercial facilities to help retailers take control of supplies in uncertain times.

As a result it has developed detailed financial costing models for fully-automated facilities of 5,000 sq m upwards in which crops such as lettuce, rocket, and other salad types can be grown to the “highest standards, in ideal and consistent conditions, unaffected by the weather”.

Patrick Harte, joint managing director of Cambridge HOK, commented: “When we talk about a total solution, we mean providing a fully working business, proven to work and backed by accurate and reliable return on investment projections.

“We think of everything from germination to propagation, movement and climate control grow systems through to packing, back office, plant rooms and electrical infrastructure. By offering all of our in-house expertise and knowledge, we can provide a turnkey solution, all under one roof. We can even build the building if someone wants us to.”

Patrick also explained that automation and scalability are the two key factors behind the company’s new concept model, and that is why Cambridge HOK has partnered with award-winning automated warehousing specialist SEC Group on the project.

Harry Watts, managing director of SEC Group’s storage division, added: “Our expertise in automation means we can combine proven technology with our data driven design expertise. This approach allows us to develop digitally twinned simulations prior to build, orchestrating engineering and operational elements in a virtual environment before building on site.

“This combination of digital design and automation, alongside Cambridge HOK’s extensive Vertical Farming expertise, provides a truly scalable concept with clearly traceable modular design that allows extensions to be easily connected over time.”