Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd has been designing and manufacturing machines for weighing, sorting, packaging and harvesting asparagus and other fruits and vegetables since 1996. Among others, signatory Matthias Kinzel will be present at the expoSE on 17 and 18 November 21. He spoke with us about the company's current products and current challenges.
Photo: Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd
Presentation of sorting and washing system
"Strauss will present sorting and packaging units from the asparagus segment, just like the years before. This year we will show an OptiSort GS asparagus sorting line with some extras, such as a double wash, where the asparagus is gently peeled, cleaned and prepared. In addition, the renewed counter-turning which serves to optimize the recognition of the asparagus and optional weighing units are mounted in the sorting area, which are primarily used for green asparagus. On the machine itself, accurate asparagus bundles of 500g, for example, can be created," says Kinzel.
Photo: Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd
New weighing system
"This year, for the first time, the latest generation of the combination weighing system with PLC control will be on display. Optional depositing units are located on the machine, which eliminate the need to manually remove and transfer the asparagus to a packing machine. The asparagus is mechanically or automatically transferred to the flowpack machine connected in this case and packed. In cooperation with a flowpack manufacturer, who will also be on site, it will be possible to show functional presentations."
The GUB 14 will also be on display, which can directly bundle, for example, asparagus coming from the weighing or sorting line. Kinzel: "The GUB 14 is equipped with a label printer to print labels individually, applying these to the rubber bands before the asparagus is bundled."
Photo: Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd
Overcoming challenges
"Our machines are constantly optimized and adapted to meet customer requirements. This way, we can ensure that the machines are efficient in customer use. This cannot completely eliminate missing employees or rising minimum wages, but it can give our customers a certain degree of planning security for their production through technology."
Worldwide presence
Strauss asparagus machines are in use all over the world. In addition to Germany and Europe, they can also be found in Canada, the USA, Mexico, South America, Africa and even Australia, for example. "In some countries, we additionally have cooperation partners who assist the customer from consultation to purchase, import and aftersales. The desire for automation can occur for a variety of motivations, such as a shortage of labor, rising wages, or a steady turnover and employees need to be constantly retrained. Sorting technology eliminates the need to constantly retrain employees, for example."
The Strauss machines are all manufactured at the Buxtehude site. All specialist departments such as design, electrical engineering, IT and manufacturing are linked under one roof in Buxtehude. "The modular system of the machines, which has been developed over the years, gives our customers the opportunity to tailor the machine to their needs. The machines can be equipped in such a way that tasks can be omitted, depending on the needs of the respective company."
Photo: Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd
Reacting to rising costs
Rising costs everywhere naturally also affect a company as widely diversified as Strauss. "However, the current massive price increases and supply bottlenecks pose a challenge that is not insurmountable. In the event of long delivery times, we fall back on our in-house stock or alternative solutions."
Trade show appearance at expoSE
The Strauss team is particularly looking forward to meeting customers in person again at expoSE. "We hope to see a full house, so that we can once again have good discussions and provide information about the current market situation, but above all meet old and new faces." Currently, Strauss is working on a fully automatic harvesting machine for green asparagus.
At their booth Hall 1-D17 at expoSE, there will be the opportunity to get more information on the current state of harvesting technology.
Photo: Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen Ltd
For more information:
Matthias Kinzel
Strauss Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
Felix-Wankel-Straße 22-24
21614 Buxtehude
Deutschland
Tel: +49 (0)4161 74020
Fax: +49 (0)4161 740250
Email: info@strauss-pack.com
Web: https://www.strauss-pack.de/de/