For many companies, the corona virus is a historical catastrophe, but at the same time, one now has the chance to redefine existing business processes. This is the motto of Walter Ahn, the managing director of Wasto-Pac LLC. He supports the fruit and vegetable sector in the fight against corona with reliable cleaning technology, as well as the latest solutions for pallets and plastic containers. Cleaning more often and more intensively is his clear message to the industry.
A sudden, extensive change within the industry - as is currently the case with the corona virus - always has two sides, he explains. "In the wake of the restrictions and emergency measures, we are seeing panic in the sector. We are also experiencing high levels of activity due to the large volumes of pallets and containers that now need to be cleaned". His message to all concerned colleagues in the sector is very clear but complicated: "If you are willing to clean regularly, you need not be afraid of internal contamination."
Walter Ahn supports entrepreneurs in the food sector.
Picture: Wasto-Pack
It is precisely at this moment that his company, which has been based in Erfstadt (NRW) since 2011, comes into play. "We are a full-service provider, specialising not only in the fruit & vegetable sector, but in elements of the entire food industry. At our headquarters we now have two washing lines, one for containers and one for pallets. In addition, we maintain close relations with our international network of partner companies, including in the Netherlands, with whom we cooperate flexibly," explains Ahn.
Trade with containers and pallets
Apart from cleaning and repairing plastic pallets and containers, the company also has a separate trading division. The consequences of the virus are also directly noticeable in this division of the company, it is said: "The supply of crates and pallets from Italian production to Germany and elsewhere has almost been stopped. Moreover, it is more difficult to visit our customers on site, which is why several appointments have already been inevitably cancelled."
All in all, the current crisis should stimulate new thinking, the service provider claims. "The current circumstances could lead to a turnaround in the industry. Everyone who works in the food sector is now asking themselves whether it wouldn't be more sensible to clean the containers and pallets more often, thus excluding the risks preventively".
Now it is important that more facts and figures about the virus are published as soon as possible: According to the latest news from the WHO, the virus survives for about 3 to 4 days on a plastic surface. "Regardless of this, we can conclude that we can fight the virus by regular hot water cleaning and chemical treatment. This in connection with careful follow-up checks to determine the microbiological purity of the surface. In fact, we have been offering this service for several years now."
A washing line for plastic containers / picture: Wasto-Pac
Individual, independent advice
Finally, Ahn notes that for cost reasons, in recent years appropriate cleaning measures have been increasingly omitted. As a result, cold water is often used instead of hot water. "In order to prevent such measures, we also act as an independent and individual advisory centre. We believe in the principle of one-stop shopping, where we offer the complete package from A to Z from one source: People come to us for advice, can then buy the necessary materials from us and finally receive the corresponding service."
For more information:
WASTO-PAC GmbH
Walter Ahn
Wildweg 4a
50374 Erftstadt
Tel: +49 2235 465 493 0
E-Mail: service@wastopac.com
www.wastopac.com