Punching Above Its Weight: Horizon Flowers and the Fendt 600 Vario
Horizon Flowers has become a leader in global tulip production by keeping its operation simple, reliable, and perfectly timed for international markets. Established in New Zealand in 2014, the company grows tulip bulbs for it’s parent business in the Netherlands. There, they are planted in weekly batches, ensuring European markets are stocked consistently. Making that happen requires precision, timing — and the right equipment. The business focuses on mass production, prioritising straightforward, resilient varieties to maintain consistently high output.
Horizon Flowers first introduced Fendt 720 tractors several years ago and quickly saw the difference. Roy Smak, manager at Horizon Flowers explains,
“We’ve really enjoyed the relationship with Fendt as a brand and with JJ’s as our dealer. Comfort, ease of use, fuel efficiency — we hear it back from the boys constantly — it makes a huge difference compared to what we used to drive. The Fendt’s have been really great.”
With planting and harvesting windows measured down to the day, having reliable machinery is essential to keeping the tight schedule on track. As the operation evolved, Horizon Flowers needed to replace higher-hour tractors used mainly for logistics and transport work. These machines move bulbs between sites, shift irrigators, and handle trailers through narrow rows, tight headlands, and hollows. “We didn’t want a big bulky tractor,” Roy says.
“We needed something light and compact that could make tight turns, get through the headlands, and handle the narrow rows and hollows. It also had to have the capacity to get the job done and fuel efficiency to keep operating costs down.”
The 600 then came up as an option — we compared all the stats and it looked very attractive. It became a very easy sum to do,”
Confident in their assessment, Horizon Flowers ordered three Fendt 600s, becoming among the first owners of the new model in New Zealand.
Two Fendt 616s are already in use and have confirmed the decision. “The 616s have been fantastic with our turning in the headlands and the tight rows,” Roy says. “It’s made a big difference for our operation, and the fuel economy is excellent. We really feel like we’ve upgraded — not just replaced those tractors.”
Equally important has been the relationship with JJ Limited. “We’ve enjoyed working with JJ’s as well as Adam and Pete there,” Roy says. That support has helped Horizon Flowers get the best from its machines and keep the operation running smoothly.
“We didn’t really have that bond or connection with our previous dealer, but it’s been there with JJ’s from the start.”
For Roy and his team, success is about more than machinery. “Our goal is to have a healthy product and keep a long-term relationship with our customers,” he says. With its combination of compact size, tight turning circle, strong capacity, and fuel efficiency, the Fendt 600 series has proven a natural fit for Horizon Flowers’ precision-focused operation. Recognised as the 2025 Tractor of the Year, the Fendt 600 Vario punches well above its weight, delivering class-leading power in a neat, compact package that makes it a really outstanding option for a number of operations in New Zealand.