In the Calmar area of central Alberta, the Mooij family runs a seed potato business called Creek Side Potatoes. They grow several varieties across hundreds of hectares, and their seed potatoes are shipped throughout Canada and to the United States. With their investment in the Optica Q, they are taking the next step toward the future of seed potato production, notes Tolsma-Grisnich.
Creek Side Potatoes did not decide to purchase the Optica Q overnight. "We looked at several optical graders on the market. For us, it was crucial that the machine offered the right capacity and was gentle on the potatoes, as we work exclusively with high-quality seed potatoes. We chose the Optica Q from Tolsma-Grisnich because it met all our requirements: the capacity we needed, a very soft drop to prevent damage to the potatoes, and a double discharge system that enables flexible sorting in a single pass."
The first of its kind on the North American continent, the Mooij family invested in a new machine from across the globe. Integrating the optical sorter into the existing sorting line was another important consideration. "The service and guidance we received during the purchase process were excellent. With support from the experienced team at Tolsma-Grisnich, the Optica Q was seamlessly integrated into our existing line."
"We knew we would be the first to use the Optica Q in North America, and that was exciting. From day one, we received great support from Tolsma-Grisnich. The machine is user-friendly and easy to operate thanks to its clear, intuitive interface. The Optica Q also includes features not found in other optical graders on the market, and they work very well for us. All in all, we are very happy with our decision."
The delivery and installation of the Optica Q went smoothly, although there were a few challenges that needed to be resolved. In the meantime, many seed potatoes have already been processed using the optical grader. Regarding technical support during installation and daily use, the team at Creek Side Potatoes is very satisfied: "With help from the customer service staff at Tolsma-Grisnich—experts in the Optica Q—we were able to get up and running quickly. Of course, we faced a few challenges (as with any new machine), but the team responded promptly and was always ready to assist. The specialists can even log into our machine remotely from the Netherlands or their new local office in Alberta, which gives us peace of mind and ensures everything keeps running smoothly."
Now that the sorting season is wrapping up, it's time to reflect. Has the Optica Q met the Mooij family's expectations? "The Optica Q saves us both labor and time. It used to take 4–5 people to handle the sorting. Now, one person at the picking table is enough, occasionally removing some, while the machine sorts up to 20 tons of seed potatoes per hour."
"Even in our first season, we've already seen major efficiency improvements. The machine stays current with the latest software updates from Optica Q units worldwide, so we're always working with the best version available. If we encounter a difficult batch, we can work with Tolsma-Grisnich's support team by sending sample photos directly from the machine. These are used to fine-tune the software, and we quickly receive an update. This ensures we don't lose any time and can keep going. The Optica Q is not only a high-quality grader, but it also gives us the ability to separate undersized potatoes from clods, stones, and other irregular items—all in one pass, if we choose."
With the Optica Q, the team at Creek Side Potatoes is confident they are well-prepared for an efficient future in sorting.
For more information:
Tolsma-Grisnich
Tel: +31 (0)527 63 64 65
[email protected]
www.tolsmagrisnich.com