From Streets
From Streets
From Streets
From Streets
Sorting potatoes with precision thanks to Flikweert Vision
Since its establishment in 1939, the multi-faceted family farm in North Holland has been in the hands of the Van Straten family; it is now run by Ane van Straten. His sons Pieter and Teun are regularly involved and help where they can. On some 100 hectares, they grow potatoes (seed potatoes, table potatoes and french fries), cereals, peas, alfalfa, onions and even dried flowers, among other things. Part of the farm is organic, and sustainability has been central for years. “We have been doing minimum tillage for a long time. This results in healthier soil and better water management,” says Ane.
Increasing labour costs and lack of flexibility
Before the arrival of Flikweert Vision, the company worked with a simple reader belt. “Fine in itself, but the staffing costs of temporary workers ran up considerably. And at the moment when you need to switch quickly, there is often no one available,” says Ane. The result? Ane was regularly reading himself. “It was cheaper to run a good machine than to hire people.”
Quick and smooth transition
The choice of Flikweert Vision was quickly made. “We heard positive stories from several colleagues, so the trust was soon there,” says Ane. The company was looking for a solution to automate the manual sorting work and ended up with the QualityGrader. Thanks to a European grant, they were able to move quickly. “We actually didn't even look at other providers”. The installation was remarkably easy: “At the spot where the Flikweert machine is now, there used to be a reader belt in a box. That cubicle went out and the machine could be put in. Within three days, the whole line was running as it should,” he says.
“The result? Ane was regularly reading himself. It was cheaper to run a good machine than to hire people.”
Smart sorting technology that unburdens
Combined with the existing web sorter, this ensures a highly accurate and efficient sorting process. “The web sorter, box filler and QualityGrader work seamlessly together so that sorting runs smoothly and efficiently,” says Ane. And that's without complicated settings. “It really is an ideal machine for someone who is not technical. It looks for its maximum speed itself. Previously, the roller conveyor could only handle one fixed speed. Now it goes faster ánd the capacity is increased,” he explains.
More peace of mind, higher quality and lower costs
Since its installation, the impact has been obvious. About a thousand hours of temp work are saved annually, accounting for a cost reduction of about €30,000. With each update, it becomes smoother and more efficient. Flexibility has also increased enormously. “If a truck arrives in the evening or at the weekend, someone can always take a break. No more stress about available staff,’ And sorting quality? That has greatly improved, especially for table potatoes. ”The standard is high there, but thanks to the QualityGrader, sorting is much more accurate,“ he stresses.
Cooperation with Flikweert Vision
About the cooperation with Flikweert Vision, Ane and his sons are enthusiastic. “They are easily accessible, respond quickly and can read a lot remotely. That saves time. The installation was a snap, and the machine immediately worked as expected,” says Ane.
With Flikweert Vision as a partner, this family business continues to innovate, work sustainably and deliver quality they are proud of.
