Steve Dunn will speak on the Future-proofing nursery production — maximising investment in automation on 3 September at
Sponsored by Hortec
THE PANEL:
Steve Dunn, Hortec
Daryl McWhinnie, McLarens Nurseries
David Nieburg, Country Herbs
Steve Carter, Farplants
Chaired by HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby
With rising labour costs and chronic worker shortages squeezing margins, this practical expert panel will look at fully automated processes, advances in technology and the efficiencies they can bring. Forward-thinking UK nurseries McLarens, Farplants and Country Herbs will share their experiences, while Hortec will present the latest advances and options from manufacturers including Javo and Stolze.
How did you transition into the horticulture industry?
My background was originally in agricultural machinery sales and engineering. When my family and I relocated from Lancashire to the Midlands, I was introduced to Ian and Mary Thornhill at Hortec. They were looking for a sales engineer for horticultural machinery—a sector I was completely new to at the time. I joined Hortec in January 2019, quickly learning the nuances of the industry and its equipment under Ian’s mentorship. It turned out to be a perfect fit. We’ve never looked back, and five years ago, my family had the wonderful opportunity to purchase Hortec from Ian and Mary.
What does your day-to-day role look like?
It is wonderfully varied. No two days are ever quite the same. On any given day, I might be travelling across the country to visit growers, designing machinery layout plans on CAD, managing project timelines, providing technical support, or delivering hands-on installation and training for our clients.
In your view, what is the biggest challenge currently facing the industry?
The availability and rising cost of labour are significant concerns for many businesses today. At Hortec, we are dedicated to helping growers navigate this challenge through smart automation, offering machinery designed to either streamline labor requirements or boost overall operational efficiency.
What are your key plans for the future of Hortec?
Our focus remains firmly on delivering reliable, innovative automation solutions for our customers. We are particularly excited to bring an advanced new range of Javo machinery to the UK market, which will offer fresh, practical solutions to help our growers thrive.
What can visitors expect from Hortec at the Four Oaks 2026 trade show?
This year marks a major milestone for us, as we celebrate 40 years of partnership between Hortec and Javo. We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand and sharing an exclusive preview of the next-generation Javo machine lineup arriving in 2027.
