In an age of staff shortages and increased customer needs, high-quality convenience products are increasingly in demand. If possible, the products should be sourced from regional cultivation, processed gently and delivered within the shortest possible time. Exactly this short, regionally shaped supply chain has been the trademark of the North German Witte company for about 13 years. The peeling company relies 100 percent on processing its own production, processes the tubers at the same location and transports them within the region to a wide variety of bulk buyers.
Right: Florian Witte is the owner of the company: He focuses on varietal purity in the peeling potatoes all year round. The raw material is purchased from his brother-in-law, the neighbouring producer Richters.
Today's peeling operation was founded by Florian Witte almost 13 years ago and since then the company has been able to gradually expand its turnover and customer base. The business activities fall back on two main pillars: Firstly, we serve suppliers at the Hamburg wholesale market as well as various cash and carry markets. In addition, we deliver our goods to canteen kitchens of all kinds, whether school and company canteens or KiTa catering", Witte explains. Although there was no major increase in sales during the pre-Christmas period, the owner is satisfied. "In general, autumn and winter are good times for us, because potatoes are often used as a side dish to game and meat dishes.
Impressions from the potato cultivation at the Richters farm
Cultivation and processing at the same location
The company's corporate structure is quite unique, as the raw materials are exclusively sourced from the neighbouring Kartoffelhof Richters. The cultivation as well as the utilisation of the regional tubers is therefore actually carried out at a shared location. "The main variety we supply is Belana, which is ideally suited for fresh processing. We are currently able to supply the market 12 months a year with high-quality regional potatoes, including early potatoes," says Witte.
The fresh potato products are delivered in vacuum sealed bags of 5 or 10 kg. At the moment, work is being done on smaller packaging for the food retail trade, which is still in progress.
Further utilisation of existing capacities
In the end, the peeled potatoes are available in a wide range of variations - whether whole, halved, quartered, sliced or diced. The most important thing is that the quality of the tubers remains the same throughout the entire supply chain thanks to appropriate cultivation, storage and cooling capacities. "Normally our product is delivered 90 percent halved or quartered, so that the potatoes can be served immediately. In addition to this standard range, we offer several special types of cuts, for which a small surcharge can be applied."
Impressions from the peeling process
All in all, the dedicated specialist believes in the further potential of potato processing. "These finished products are clearly seeing an increasing demand. We have positioned ourselves in such a way that we can further expand our existing capacities in our profession - the pure peeling of potatoes. For the next few years, we have set ourselves the task of exploiting this potential upwards and specialising further."
For more information:
Witte Schälbetrieb
Inh. Florian Witte
Lünenspecken 5
21717 Fredenbeck-Wedel
Tel. 04164 877990
Fax 04164 877991
info@witte-schaelbetrieb.de
www.witte-schaelbetrieb.de
Kartoffelhof Richters KG
Königsdamm 12
21698 Bargstedt-Frankenmoor
Tel: 04164 2574
Fax: 04164 1354
E-Mail: info@kartoffelhof-richters.de
www.kartoffelhof-richters.de