We are a family-owned business based in Ardleigh, Essex (near Colchester) who design and build commercial glasshouses and greenhouses, and supply horticultural parts to growers, nurseries, and garden centres all over the UK. We specialise in helping growers and garden centre professionals be as efficient as possible in the increasingly competitive and costly horticulture environment, providing glasshouses that maximise production and minimize energy consumption.
Established in the UK in 1986 by Geert van Zanten and his brother Arend, GVZ started as a glasshouse construction company. With their strong Dutch connections intact, they embarked on a new adventure in the UK, leaving the lowlands behind.
When Geert moved on from GVZ, Arend van Zanten took over the business. He was later joined by his brother Cor and their nephew John, who both became vital members of the leadership team. With Arend as managing director and Cor and John on board as Sales Directors for Contracts and Parts and Repairs respectively, GVZ gradually turned into the company it is today.
As a family-run business with over 40 years of combined experience in glasshouse construction, we are at our happiest liaising with customers and suppliers in person and on a first-name basis. We still place value on word-of-mouth advertisement and varying between being in the field and in the office to ensure the connection between ourselves and our clients is nurtured and maintained.
We operate primarily in the UK, but due to our inherent Dutch connection and the quality-driven horticulture sector in Europe, we import most of our materials from reputable retailers in the Netherlands.
Our friendly team of professionals is always ready to help and provide our customers with the best service from start to finish. Between the office, the warehouse, and the yard, our team can easily manage all your glasshouse needs.
Managing Director
Director of Sales (Contracts)
Sales Director (Parts and Repairs)
Works Manager
E-Commerce Marketing & Stock Maintenance Manager
Warehouse Manager
Personal Assistant to the Directors
Office Manager
We pride ourselves on treating each project with the utmost dedication and attention to detail to ensure you get exactly what you need once the project has been completed.
We are very flexible when it comes to scheduling, so we’ll always do our best to work around your growing seasons or garden centre opening times to ensure minimal disruptions to your day-to-day operations.
Whether you’re a small or large business, close by or further afield, our approach to the job is always the same: we’re professional, efficient, committed to meeting your goals, and always just a stone’s throw away…
