Digital solution for quality control

The fresh produce sector is constantly evolving, and new developments when it comes to digitalization don't go by unnoticed. Product quality and information exchange from quality controls (QC) reach ever higher levels in the fresh produce chain. Expertisebureau HDG | the fruit consultants responds to this trends.

HDG specializes in carrying out quality inspections and national and international claims management. This fresh produce service provider has offices in places like Rotterdam, Barendrecht, Waddinxveen and Westland, but also in Portugal, Spain and China. In line with these developments, and in view of the large number of countries from which HDG services its customers, HDG has developed a digital quality platform.

This means the company is able to respond to customer wishes better, more specifically and faster, which benefits information regarding product quality in the chain.

"Our customers want tailor-made service. The platform was developed in such a way that we can effortlessly meet the customer's wishes. Reporting can be aligned with the specific requests from the individual customer," Otto de Groot says.

The digital platform was developed for more efficiency, higher quality, faster processing of QC results, and also offers a possibility of executing analyses. The system is user-friendly. The available packing lists can be both entered manually and read automatically by the programme. The inspection results with photos and temperature recorders are directly entered into the system on location, using a tablet. The HDG inspection is carried out based on the distinguishing features: exporter/brand, container, grower, and type of packaging.

The inspection results can be linked directly to purchasing, sales, stock and shipment registration, which means the information is directly available. The output supplied by the platform consists of both a brief summary to support sales, as well as detailed information for suppliers and producers. The result of the inspection is presented using colour codes and quality scores.

The data and assessments can be processed statistically, making it possible to analyse these with the press of a button. These analyses can be used to give growers production information, which can help them make cultivation decisions and give them insight into their post-harvest treatments. It can also show where and when product quality differed. Eventually, the product's aim is to improve the quality of the product in the chain. This is not only invaluable for the producer, but also for the consumer.

For more information:
Expertisebureau HDG B.V.
Marconistraat 33
3029 AG Rotterdam
T +31 10 244 14 14
F +31 10 244 14 15
survey@hdg.nl
qc@hdg.nl