Helmes International brings Dutch business back to Haute-Marne

Published the 17/02/21 | Company locations

The leaders of Helmes International, Mrs. Ampe and Mr. Boucknooghe, acquired during the summer of 2020, Helmes Welling, based in the Netherlands, whose activity is the production of biodegradable twines; a production that can reach 200 tonnes per year. These twines are used to tie the stems to supports for the cultivation of vegetables, particularly tomatoes. This represents a real alternative to polypropylene twine, used by 80% of market gardeners, since the twines are made from cotton and viscose.

Indeed, at the end of each harvest, the waste generated by tomato cultivation represents an ecological disaster. With Helmes International’s products, the waste is no longer polluting and can even be valued. The twine offered allows market gardeners to valorise the branches through composting instead of having them treated at the waste disposal site.

Mrs. Ampe and Mr. Boucknooghe, also leaders of the company Artifil, based in Semoutiers-Montsaon, have been sourcing from Helmes Welling for many years to offer a range of biodegradable and recyclable products for the market gardening sector. With Helmes International, they plan to create 11 jobs and reach €1,000,000 in turnover this year. Thanks to the increasing demand for tomatoes across Europe, the goal is to achieve a 20% annual growth in turnover in the following years.

Helmes International owns a park of second-hand machines that will be operational from March. In order to gain competitiveness, the company is preparing to invest €200,000 in new equipment, which will also improve the ergonomics of employees’ workstations. This new production tool is scheduled for next July.

A joint effort of the Chaumont agglomeration, Haute-Marne Expansion, and the Business Sud Champagne economic development agency has supported Helmes International in its establishment and investment efforts for this brand new activity.

Helmes International, setting up in Rennepont, does not intend to stop there. It will quickly start canvassing new international clients.

Furthermore, Helmes International has recently applied to the Elysée’s Made in France contest, in order to highlight its innovative and environmentally friendly products.

Contacts:

Helmes International, Rue de Chaumont, ZA de l’Aérodrome, 52000 Semoutiers-Montsaon
Business Sud Champagne, 12, rue Bégand, 10000 Troyes, 03 51 14 17 40