8           SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WE CAN OFFER 

8.5        Specialist Supply, Planting And Establishment Of Plants 

                               The supply and planting of appropriate wetland plants for large scale industrial reed bed Systems requires specialist know-how and experience which we can provide in the following areas:

(i)         selection of plant biotype/strain compatible with die specific Wastewater parameters.

(ii)                identification of sources of appropriate plant biotype/strain and method of propagation if required, including micro-propagation.

(iii)               propagation and/or supply of special plant biotypes/strains for planting in die system.

(iv)        formulation and supervision of planting programmes during construction. This requires a high degree of Iiaison with the civil engineering contractor, to ensure mutual cooperation in the overall programming of the works between the civils and horticultural aspects.

(v)         recruitment, training and supervision of temporary labour teams to plant the reeds in accordance wide specific operating constraints to avoid damaging the hydraulic conductivity of the soiL/substrate, as well as in line with construction schedules.

(vi)        specification and supervision of programmes for the initial infiltration/application of water, effluent sludges to newly planted reed bed treatment systems.

                The supply and planting of appropriate wetland plant biotypes/strains can be an attractive business in itself with charge rate based an 5%- 10% of the construction contract, and would be protected by our specialist knowledge of such plants as well as a warranty.

8.6        Supplier Chain Arrangement For The Production Of Large Quantities Of Plants

                The micro-propagation, potting up, growing on and scheduled delivery of large numbers of top quality plants at competitive prices requires extensive capital facilities and very skilled and experienced horticultural management techniques, which are outside our domain. We would need to link up with a reliable specialist supplier interested in a long-term ,supplier chain“ arrangement with us. We would supply the required plant biotype strain appropriate for a particular project, and specify make up of growing media, size, quantity and quality of delivered plants, as well as the growing and maintenance conditions peculiar to these plants (as opposed to normal nursery stock). We would then supply the client, adding our own profit margin to the selling price.

8.7        Nursery Bank Of Special Plant Biotypes/Strains in An Integrated Laboratory/R&D Facility

                We and our reed bed technology partners have a bank of special wetland plant biotypes/strains which are adapted to very different wastewater parameters and environmental conditions. lt would be advantageous for our UK company to establish its own integrated nursery, greenhouse-laboratory and R&D facility in this country, This would enable us to create and maintain a much larger bank of plant biotypes/strains, including duplicate biotypes/strains from our network of reed bed technology partners, and be able to carry us plans-effluent compatibility trials on behalf of clients, as well as lucrative R.&D projects.

8.8        Ecological Impact Studies And Wetland Landscaping Schemes

                Another element which we could consider for our future marketing mix would be ecological-wildlife-environmental impact studies, including wetland landscaping and wildlife habitat creation, on behalf of clients who want to enhance the amenity impact and wildlife conservation potential of their reed bed treatment system, relative to the local wildlife and environment. This would also expand the volume and range of supply of wetland plants. We are aware that many large companies are interested in this aspect, as it provides them with an effective means of enhancing their public relations profile.