Last autumn, Wim de Rijder and Rutger Keurhorst started with Qreenno, with which they’re focusing on engineering and project management of industrial installations and buildings in the fruit and veg processing industry, for clients at home and abroad. Now they’ve entered into a partnership with Italian machine builder Sammo/Longobardi, the only company that currently has optical sorting machines operational in the onion sector.
The Qreenno team: Mike, Rutger, Wim and Henk.
“Longobardi has twelve optical sorting machines operational in the onion sector, and Wiskerke Onions is a forerunner in the Netherlands.” Generally, users are very enthusiastic in the first month, critical after three months, and they give feedback after five months. “With that feedback, we’re now working on a new demo version,” Rutger says. Now the industry is waiting for the final percentage points of accuracy in sorting. “The technology and knowledge are there, but now it has to be translated to the end user.”
Moulton
“At Moulton Bulb Company in the United Kingdom, an optical sorting machine is already processing 33 tonnes of onions an hour. From arrival to unloading and barcode-stickered crates with sorted produce, only three to five people are involved in this process.” People often think about what a machine costs, without realizing 
how much money it saves, in addition to the improved quality it ensures. “Thanks to optical sorters, you can now hold growers accountable for the product they actually supplied.” Optical sorting makes complete traceability possible, and with the positive results, more Dutch companies are expected to buy an optical sorter. “It will be a challenge to install all these machines though, because they often don’t fit into existing buildings and conventional production lines.”
how much money it saves, in addition to the improved quality it ensures. “Thanks to optical sorters, you can now hold growers accountable for the product they actually supplied.” Optical sorting makes complete traceability possible, and with the positive results, more Dutch companies are expected to buy an optical sorter. “It will be a challenge to install all these machines though, because they often don’t fit into existing buildings and conventional production lines.”Qreenno offers companies technical support. Their goal is to take away their clients’ worries in terms of efficiency and cost-effective production, so that they can focus on their core business. “We realize projects from the concept to the final delivery and operation, bringing together all the parties involved.” This concerns things like loading and unloading, sorting, traceability, storage and transhipment, packaging, product handling, but also subsidies. “Projects are getting bigger and more complex, making it harder for clients to keep a clear view. If you want a new processing/packing line installed, you’ll be talking to some ten suppliers. We are able to critically assess organizations on their efficiency,” Wim explains.
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