One of the three awards given for technological innovation by INDEGA (German Association of Horticultural Products) at IPM 2004, went to Folimat Gartenbautechnik GbR for a system that moves heating pipes to variable levels above the crop (lowest height 30cm above ground). By fixing pipes at a different height as the crop grows it is possible to optimize cost/benefit of heating and the pipes can be installed in diverse numbers and configurations within a given production area. Each heating pipe is attached by flexible metal hose to the main pipe conducting hot water under pressure, located fairly high near gutters. The small heating pipes of the so-called 'Quick-Pipe' system, are raised and lowered by metal chords attached to a motor. The inventor of the system explained that 20 years ago he removed heating pipes from his greenhouse because the prices for cut-flowers were too low. At the same time he recognized the need for heating (at least for part of the season) in order to obtain high quality crops for which there is a market. With this in mind he designed a system to optimize the heat zone during the growth of a a crop. It is also useful for multi-levl cropping. For further information: F.J.Hoffacker Tel 0049 28031058 or W.Bauer 0049 28034509 E-mail info@folimat.de www.folimat.de