In recent weeks, hard work has been done behind the scenes to get Eqraft back on its feet. This Dutch company was declared bankrupt in January.
Various retention of title issues have been settled. These deals were done under the watchful eye of the bankruptcy trustee. The first steps were also taken to implement a new ERP.
The goal is clear - quality and service must be retained. However, reliability and standardization must be further professionalized. Firstly, the service unit is up and running again. This restart happened during the course of this week.
The company's Installation and Service Manager, Pieter Kaat says, "We also want to make some progress when it comes to service. We want to digitize the process fully. Hand-written receipts are a thing of the past. We want to ensure that we send the correct parts ordered."
Clear agreements have been reached with another Dutch company, MSP. These concern the completion of the much-talked-about project in the onion sector. A private company for the joint project will be set up. MSP will manage the company and Eqraft will complete the project.
Eqraft's Nico Bredenhoff has been this job's project leader from the get-go. He says, "A project such as this simply must be completed. It contains so much preparation and passion. We would very much like the world to see what we can do."
"This, despite this setback and a few months' delays. The entire project team stands united behind this project. We want to start working on it from next week again."
Marcel Kampes, who is Eqraft's newly-appointed General Director is pleased. "It is incredible to see the forces at play in recent weeks. The whole sector is looking over our shoulder", he says.
"However, we have succeeded in the objective of starting an entirely independent Eqraft. We are happy with the current make-up. It means Eqraft can stand on its own two feet. This prevents conflicts of interest within the sector."
The company's Commercial Director, Rutger Keurhorst, is also relieved. "At the moment, as an organization, we are marking time. Over time, this will only get better. A decent foundation must be laid beneath our ambitions and vision. This time-out is creating the possibility to achieve this", he says.
"We have a motivated team with a passion for unique products. The fact that the sector has re-awoken again goes to show what kind of potential is present in it. Optical sorting will prove its worth in the coming years. The new Eqraft must be ready."
In the coming year, the company will focus on improvement and renewal. Several key products will be further improved and standardized. These include the globally recognized Baxmatic. The developments around the sorting machine and Eqontrol will also be completed. The Eqontrol plays a pivotal role in the MSP Factory of the Future project.
Eqraft will not be present at this year's Fruit Logistica in Berlin. This is due to the completion of the liquidation procedures. Representatives from the company will, of course, be visiting the trade fair.
They will also be present at, or close to, the company's OTA-partners stand. These partners, Symach, Deprez and Modesta, can be found in Hall 9, Stand E-05 at the show.
For more information
www.eqraft.com