Redefining Energy Management: Sigg Family & Priva ECO

Tommy Sigg and his son Lukas of Sigg Plant share their journey of expert growth, family tradition, and expertise in leveraging cutting-edge technology in greenhouse management.

In the heart of Pjelax, in the western Finland - with its striking landscapes of lakes, the coast and deep forests - the Sigg family’s story unfolds much like the seedlings they raise: rooted in a strong heritage and flourishing through practical, innovative decisions that take their expertise to the next level.

Founded nearly seven decades ago by Helge Sigg, the company has grown from a small local nursery into Northern Europe’s leading supplier of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper seedlings. Now led by Helge’s son Tommy and his family, it’s not just about scale—it’s about everyday choices rooted in years of hands-on experience, a commitment to quality, and a drive to keep improving.

They carry on a legacy, combining deep-rooted knowledge of cultivation with with an expert approach to adopting cutting-edge technology, including their latest venture with Priva ECO.

More than just adopting new technology, the Sigg family brings their expertise to the table, playing an active role in Priva ECO’s development.. This hands-on approach speaks to their creative, forward-thinking mindset, always finding ways to improve and actively involving themselves in solutions that drive their business forward.

Q: Tommy, what’s your favorite part of running Sigg Plant, and how does the company continue to grow?

Tommy Sigg: “My favorite part is implementing new projects and seeing our team’s adaptability. When we’ve built a new greenhouse or started a new project, everyone adapts quickly, and we don’t slow down,” Tommy shared. “We’ve been growing since 1955, and today my sons are the third generation within the company.” Sigg Plant’s ability to embrace change while maintaining pace has been key to its continuous growth, producing about eight million plants annually in a quality that sets them apart.

Their roots are strong—literally and figuratively, “Happy roots make happy plants, and that’s what we strive for every day.” Tommy adds. For Sigg Plant, maintaining strong roots is more than a metaphor; it’s the foundation of their expertise and daily practice that begins with each seedling.

"The partnership with Priva goes beyond technology—it’s about a shared commitment to innovation informed by real-world growing experience."

Q: Tommy, can you tell us about the importance of strong roots and plant health at Sigg Plant?

Tommy Sigg: “Our expertise lies in cultivating healthy, resilient plants. We are known for our cucumber seedlings, which can grow up to 50 centimeters in just 24 days during the summer. You can almost see them grow before your eyes. We focus on cleanliness, the purity of our water, and carefully controlled environments to keep our plants healthy and disease-free. That’s our trademark, and it’s what our customers appreciate most about us.”

Yet, the family dynamic at Sigg Plant is not just about business; it’s about everyday connections that keep the company’s heart beating strong.

Q: You mentioned you start your mornings with a specific routine. Can you share more about that?

Tommy Sigg: “I usually wake up at six, check what happened overnight on the Priva computer, and then head to the company by seven,” Tommy explained. “I go around, meet the team, discuss plans for the day, and check on deliveries.” Operating on three shifts means the work never ends - but his hands-on approach, backed by decades of experience, keeps him connected, even without a formal morning kickoff.

In recent years, technology has amplified their expertise, especially with the introduction of Priva ECO, a tool that blends advanced tech with practical, growing needs.

Q: Lukas, how has Priva ECO changed how you manage energy at Sigg Plant?

Lukas Sigg: “Priva ECO has been a game-changer. It predicts the cheapest way to source energy for the next 24 hours and automatically selects the most cost-effective option. We have three energy sources—bioenergy, gas, and electricity—and Priva ECO balances them based on price fluctuations.” Lukas, who has a background in engineering, played a key role in the system’s development, working closely with Priva’s team. Priva ECO has saved over 25% on energy costs - working autonomously -, allowing them to focus on quality without compromising efficiency. “Now, we just check in to make sure it’s working right, but it’s mostly hands-off,” Lukas added. “That’s the beauty of it.”

Q: What does your collaboration with Priva look like?

Tommy Sigg: “Our partnership with Priva started in 2005, and it’s grown into a close collaboration,” Tommy noted. “We meet regularly, exchanging ideas and feedback. It’s not just business; we know each other personally now. We sit together, have coffee, and talk about life, not just work.” This open communication has been instrumental in refining the Priva ECO system together. “As experienced growers, our insights were crucial to shaping Priva ECO.”

Even in a highly automated environment, the Siggs maintain a strong personal touch, demonstrating that automation can enhance, not replace, the hands-on expertise of their team.

Q: How do you maintain a personal connection with your staff in such a large, automated environment?

Tommy Sigg: “Connecting with our team on a personal level has always been important to us. I make it a point to join my employees during coffee breaks to talk about everyday life,” Tommy said. “I want to know about their families, their hobbies—it’s important to connect beyond the tasks at hand.” As the operations scale up, this approach keeps the team grounded and unified, fostering a sense of community within the company.

The biggest shifts at Sigg Plant have always been about more than just machinery—they represent a change in mindset, and Priva ECO is no exception.

Q: What’s been the biggest change for you since introducing automation and Priva ECO?

Tommy Sigg: “When we expanded in 2005, it was a major shift, changing how we think about growing,” Tommy recalled. “We moved from manual processes to more structured, integrated and data-driven strategies. These strategies have been developed further during the 2010 and 2020 expansions of the facilities. With Priva ECO, it’s another layer of efficiency—it’s all about making smart choices automatically, optimizing our costs while maintaining our quality.”

Q: Lukas, what are you most proud of in your role?

Lukas Sigg: “I’m most proud of how we’ve kept our pace and quality while implementing new solutions,” Lukas said. “We’ve integrated Priva ECO and other technologies without missing a beat. It’s exciting to see how we can keep moving forward without losing what makes us unique.”

Sigg Plant’s story is one of expertise passed down through generations, building on tradition while evolving with technology. The seamless flow between generations, the adaptability of their processes, and the personal connections they maintain with their team and customers set them apart. By leveraging Priva ECO, they have taken their operations once more to the next level, showcasing how innovation and family values can not only coexist but drive success.

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Explore how Priva ECO can redefine energy management in greenhouse operations, saving costs from day one. Watch the video below.

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Redefining Energy Management: How the Sigg Family and Priva ECO are transforming greenhouse operations with cost effective and sustainable foresight