The shopping experience at the point of sale (PoS) is an important factor in food retailing today. This development offers fresh food suppliers a way to set new standards. Hepro -specialists in asparagus peeling processes- have recognized this trend and they have developed the 'pina to go', a machine for the on-site processing of fresh pineapples. Following the official presentation at the Fruit Logistica 2019, the production series will now be successfully marketed, confirms Mareen Protte.
The 'pina to go' as an eye-catcher at the weekly market.
"The current series is almost sold out right now. We will demonstrate the machine again at ExpoSE and at the Fruit Logistica 2020. "The process itself works perfectly, but the company is still considering small improvements."
The peeling process has already proved itself. Fulfilling the wishes and demands of our customers have always been our goal, so we always try to optimize our products according to the customer's wishes.One thing is certain, the more a machine attracts attention, the more customers it attracts and the more pineapple sales there will be. For the customer in the supermarket, it is important to be "entertained" by the machine. "For the employees working with the machine, peeling results are interesting and we adapt to these different wishes."
The interest the installation garnered was quite astonishing.
The Hepro team at the Fruit Logistica 2019 where the Pina To Go was presented for the first time.
Marketing potential in food retailing and convenience
Meanwhile, the system u.a. used in branches of Edeka, Rewe and Globus. Even abroad, the interest after the successful presence at this year's Fruit Logistica but huge, notes Ms. Protte. "We keep getting inquiries from Mexico and Asia, but so far we have been holding back a bit. For us, it is important to first market the machine nationwide and also to provide the appropriate service around the process. HEPRO is committed to providing service to its customers at all times and to be on hand when questions or disruptions arise: we are therefore first orienting ourselves to the markets that can be reached by us within 24 hours. "
The founders, Siegfried Hennemeier & Christoph Protte of Hepro LLC.
So far, the machine is set up mainly in supermarkets and at weekly markets. In other areas, the potential is still considerable, Mrs Protte claims. "Personally, I also see potential in large canteens or in a farm shop. At ExpoSE we will see how our customers in the asparagus sector react to the pina to go. "It is not inconceivable that medium-sized manufacturers will opt for the system in the future, especially as the system offers a unique shopping experience as well simply saves staff and time."
Christoph Protte (l) & Siegfried Hennemeier (middle) with one of their first customers.
25 years of Hepro: grown together with the customers
In addition to launching the pina to go, the family business is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. Trying to name the biggest milestone in the history of HEPRO, Mareen Protte has a hard time: "We have regularly launched new machines in these 25 years and each one was an innovation in itself. We are particularly pleased that we do "honest engineering". There are still customers who peel goods with 1994 asparagus peeling machines. They are like the VW Beetle, they "peel and peel and peel". At the same time, new and innovative asparagus peeling processes are being developed and distributed. "We have now sold over 4,000 machines. We are proud of that, especially as it is of course a niche product."
The very first asparagus peeling machine: The model is still being used by some customers, even after 25 years.
Just a few years after the founding of HEPRO came the German asparagus boom. "Many of our clients have the same age as my dad and are now passing their farms to the next generation. We have grown together with them and are looking forward to sharing the path with our customers. To remain innovative, to always live up to the demands of the customers and to continue to be on their side. And that will continue to be the goal of the company."
For more information:
HEPRO GmbH
Mareen Protte - Vertrieb
Nickelstraße 14
33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Tel: +49 5242 57979-31
Fax: +49 5242 57979-631
mprotte@hepro-gmbh.de
www.hepro-gmbh.de