De Boer begins work on its 10th Chelsea spectacularPersonnel from De Boer have begun work on a milestone construction project in west London – the tenth successive year they have created the main exhibition venue for the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The company first introduced its modular Delta System structures to the international event in 2000 when organisers broke with decades of tradition by abandoning the show’s former canvas-style exhibition space. After erecting two separate Delta structures for each of the first four years, De Boer used its unrivalled technological know-how to link the two exhibition halls for the first time in 2004. By adapting one of its popular A-frame structures the company was able to join the two Deltas, creating a huge, single exhibition space equivalent in size to two football pitches. The temporary venue – in the grounds of Chelsea’s historic Royal Hospital – was named the Great Pavilion by show organiser the Royal Horticultural Society and has since been the setting for the launch of nearly 500 new plants and flowers. This year’s spectacular gathering, taking place between May 19 and 23, will see yet another explosion of colour inside the 12,000-square-metre Great Pavilion. The venue will become home to a plethora of plants from across the globe –from locations as diverse as Jersey and Jamaica, or South Africa and the South-West of England. Individual exhibits will range from azaleas, bonsais and carnivorous plants through to zinnias. Among the many highlights will be a collection of no fewer than 13,000 cut flower tulips, with varieties ranging from the 17th century to today. De Boer Project Manager Liz Routh said: “The arrival of De Boer’s modular Deltas in 2000 marked a monumental break with tradition for the world’s most famous horticultural celebration. The fact that De Boer’s structures are now returning to Chelsea for the tenth successive year show just how much they have become part of this great event.” She added: “The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is set to be bigger and better than ever this year, with a blaze of colour marking a dazzling start to the British summer. As a long-time supplier, De Boer will be back in strength, providing organisers with the gathering’s all-important centrepiece.” As well as showcasing exhibits from across the globe, the Great Pavilion will house the show’s Continuous Learning section, offering visitors an insight into the gardens of the future. It will also welcome an exciting new feature for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – a professional floristry competition which will culminate in the announcement of the Chelsea Florist of the Year and the Young Chelsea Florist of the Year. 13 May 2009 About De Boer:De Boer is one of the leading international suppliers of temporary accommodation for large events and festivals, storage purposes, airport baggage handling and supermarkets. De Boer was established in 1924 and is headquartered in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. The company now has offices in The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, France, Spain, Sweden and Dubai. De Boer is also represented in Qatar, Russia, China and the USA. It employs more than 350 people internationally and during high season another 150 temporary workers are deployed. NPM Capital has been major shareholder since August 2005. www.deboer.com MEDIA CONTACT: PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
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