The Weyers Group facility at Freshpark Venlo continues to operate at high capacity, with a large team managing day-to-day operations in sales, accounting, HR, and logistics. The company is active in the vegetable and fruit trade as well as cultivation in collaboration with growers in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. On the factory floor, over 120 permanent employees are engaged in sorting, packing, and preparing vegetables for shipment.
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In 2024, the company introduced a camera-based sorting system for Brussels sprouts to enhance operational efficiency. The SproutCam, developed by TechNature, was integrated into Weyers' processing line to address challenges related to labor shortages and quality control.
According to operational director Erik van Maren, sourcing adequate labor has become increasingly difficult, a trend affecting much of the agricultural sector. "For years, we have supplied sprouts primarily to the German market, where supermarket standards are strict and require significant manual work. Until recently, sorting was done entirely by hand, with six to twelve workers involved from mid-September through January," he explained.
The implementation of the SproutCam has significantly increased sorting capacity, allowing for the processing of up to eleven tons of sprouts per hour across three packaging lines. However, the increased throughput required changes to internal logistics, particularly in the crate handling system.
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To support this, Weyers collaborated with VHM to install a crate logistics system that automates the stacking, unstacking, and emptying of crates. This new setup allows forklifts to deliver multiple crates simultaneously, reducing the number of forklift movements and improving workflow on the factory floor.
The crate logistics system accommodates various crate sizes—250, 300, and 700 kilograms—and adjusts automatically based on user input. Crates are stacked accordingly, helping to streamline operations and improve efficiency in the processing line.
© VHMFor more information:
VHM Machinery
Tel: +31 527 225 000
Email: [email protected]
www.vhm-machinery.nl
