In the summer of 2021, Farmhouse, ERP, and ABC Logistics joined forces to form Ripe Fresh Packing (RFP). This newly established Dutch service provision company unburdens numerous exotics customers. "We can take care of the entire importing, clearing, storage, transshipment, ripening, sorting, packing, and further in-house distribution process," begins team leader Tim Lagraauw.
At its new location, RFP has ample storage and transshipment space as well as eight ripening cells. The company has also invested in two state-of-the-art Aweta sorting lines for avocados and mangoes, which select both internal and external quality. "Over the past few months, we've built a large database for both products."
"It includes all the defects our clients want sorted out, and specific customer programs have been rolled out from there. That took tremendous time and energy, but we now have a massive database. We've made genuinely huge strides, allowing us to guarantee quality to our clients," Tim says.
"The current economic situation is challenging for the exotics market. Inflation is causing considerable market shifts. And let's face it, for some customers, it's not hard to choose between three cucumbers for a euro or one mango for €1.50. But this situation also offers opportunities to distinguish yourself on the market by marketing beautiful products. Fortunately, the prospects for 2023 look good."
"We've already managed to attract some new external clients. We still, however, have plenty of room to grow. When the eight ripening cells are full, we'll build several more. Sorting capacity's no problem either. We can always take on additional shifts. RFP values new and existing customers, large and small. They all get the same high-quality service guarantee," continues Tim.
At present, the focus is on avocados and mangoes, though the company plans to expand its service to other products soon. "We're a young company, but our team has over 30 years of cumulative ripening experience. I, for example, have the necessary know-how in ripening stone fruit and papayas, but we can do everything needed in-house for other products too."
"Those include bananas, kiwis, and jackfruit. For now, our activities focus largely on conventional fruit, yet we also have experience in organic products. Should a good organic partner presents itself, we may well add a separate machine specifically for organic product," Tim admits.
"We want to distinguish ourselves by listening closely to clients' specific ripening demands. A product's zero point sets the starting point. We map that very thoroughly to tailor the best ripening plan. The customer, not the volumes, comes first. That's where we want to truly stand out in the market."
Another advantage for customers, he says, is that RFP is an independent service provider. "We're part of a joint venture with Best Fresh, but keep that strictly separated and operate as a neutral party. Customers genuinely appreciate that," Tim explains.
Ripening master Gert Lagas also sings RFP's praises. "Ripening avocados and mangoes is the best job in the world. You have contact with everyone, from the inspectors to repacking and commerce. The seasons affect our work significantly too. Quality differs every year, and sometimes you have to do things differently than you did a year before. It's challenging to deliver the perfect mango or avocado to customers. At RFP, we can do just that," he concludes.
For more information:
Tim Lagraauw
Ripe Fresh Packing
Mob: +31 (0) 622 481 964
Email: tim@europeretailpacking.nl
Website: www.europeretailpacking.nl