More efficient cultivation with peace in the line

On the outskirts of Aardenburg, father and son De Bruijkere run their seed potato farm. On about two hundred hectares, the two of them grow potatoes, which used to require six people. By cleverly investing in automation, they keep control and enjoy their work.

The challenge

The harvest period is always exciting: short windows, long days, and weather that does not always cooperate. When it is dry, pace needs to be set, but then staff are often hard to find. Manual sorting on the belt required a lot of attention and time. “We wanted to shorten the sorting period, bring calm to the line and rely less on temporary workers,” says De Bruijkere.

The choice of Flikweert Vision

Flikweert Vision was no stranger. Previously, they bought two QualityGraders, and that experience gave them confidence. “We know what we have in Flikweert: close, accessible and quality,” says De Bruijkere.

When the need arose to further automate the process, the Divider was the obvious choice. The goal was clear: to remove clods and rot from the stream as early as possible so that the rest of the line would keep running smoothly.

The solution in practice

In three days, the Divider was installed on the cistern. The operation proved intuitive and perfectly suited to daily practice. “The machine works exactly as we hoped. And if we have any questions, the service is easily accessible,” says De Bruijkere.

The result

The results show quickly. Personnel costs are down, the product is cleaner and the line runs more smoothly. Early removal of clods and rot allows deeper uprooting and keeps the process stable.

“The Divider gets most of the dirt out early. We get peace of mind at the cistern and fewer hands on the band,” De Bruijkere says with satisfaction.

Looking ahead

About the future, they are clear: automation is not a luxury, but a necessity. “Labour is becoming scarcer and more expensive. Within a decade, this will be the norm. For us, it is an investment that brings time and peace of mind every day.”