PRODUCTION Your Greenhouse EFFICIENCY UPDATING FOR EFFICIENCY Emerald Coast Growers offers efficiency-building tips from their ongoing expansion plan. BY KERSTIN POEHLMANN W ith growers today facing ever-increasing challenges such as rising labor costs, labor shortages, increased energy costs and the constant pressure to provide a top-quality product in a timely fashion, it is more imperative than ever for growers to streamline their production processes and operate in a highly efficient way. Since the cost of production has been rising more quickly than the prices a grower can demand, increased efficiency is the only way to maintain healthy profit margins. But determining which areas to improve and where to start can be a daunting task. Florida-based Emerald Coast Growers is no stranger to embracing and tackling challenges. Its significant efficiency improvements over the last few years have positioned them as a thought leader in the industry. The improvements didn't just happen overnight or out of necessity. Over the past decade, Emerald Coast Growers 22 JANUARY 2023 GPNMAG.COM Over 4 acres of indoor growing space now feeds directly into Emerald Coast Growers' new shipping facility, which is served by monorail to facilitate product handling. Photos: Emerald Coast Growers.http://www.GPNMAG.COM