On the 27th of August the National Onion Day was held in Colijnsplaat. There was a large attendance, partially due to the wet weather, with the Dutch onion sector being almost complete, as well as a number of companies from abroad. Of course OTA didn't miss the occasion. The alliance had its own stall where everything about the collaboration was explained. The first meeting with the public was celebrated with delicious warm onion soup. It was well received by the audience, who had a great interest in OTA.
This was clear from the responses the OTA received from those present. The findings that made the members of OTA decide to enter a collaboration were shared by the sector. At the moment the production process among many onion processing companies is broken up. This is despite the fact that an integral approach to processing with a large measure of collaboration of single processes in the chain leads to a better product and higher efficiency.
Dissatisfaction
The OTA members also notice a growing dissatisfaction in the market regarding complexity when making investments. It is no longer modern to have to do business with a separate supplier for every part of production with a processing company. OTA fills this gap by offering a single partner for discussion. We have all the knowledge needed to focus on advise and integral solutions for the most different questions, which relieves the customer. The efficiency of processing is also brought to a level which is impossible to reach if all the parts were supplied by individual suppliers.
Visio
OTA is convinced that a technological turn will be taken in the sector over the next few years. OTA wants to participate in this from its own vision: continual innovation and realising project through an integral approach. The partners complement each other in the collaboration, which raises quality and lowers the cost of failure.
One of the spearheads is introducing a new standard of service for onion processing companies. Only the highest quality is good enough from now on. All projects have to be state of the art. The customer is completely central and agreements aren't OTA promises, they're To Do's.
This is to be accomplished through the wide knowledge of engineering present and carrying out projects that will be extended further through the collaboration. Within OTA, all members have collective responsibility for the total performance and control of projects. Supplying support during and service after a project is also a joint responsibility. OTA wants to create a new mentality in the market, in which the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Future
The coming period will show to what extend the switch to further automation in the sector, predicted by OTA, will be made. Thanks to our wide array of services and disciplines we are in the middle of the process. At the peak of the practice. Unravelling today's complexities. And seeing tomorrow's opportunities. The responses from the public, both at home, abroad and in the media, are positive.