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Agro Merchants Group Tour 2016

It was a cold morning down at the port as the visitors got off the bus.
It was a cold morning down at the port as the visitors got off the bus.
Opticool is situation right at the water's edge which ensure a fast turnaround of goods.
Opticool is situation right at the water's edge which ensure a fast turnaround of goods.
The fruit goes straight from cold storage to the ship. Each cold room can hold 1000 pallets.
The fruit goes straight from cold storage to the ship. Each cold room can hold 1000 pallets.
South American bananas also do a quick turnaround from the ships to the ripeners, they can be here anywhere from 1hr to 2 days. This room can store 1500 pallets.
South American bananas also do a quick turnaround from the ships to the ripeners, they can be here anywhere from 1hr to 2 days. This room can store 1500 pallets.
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Opticool has 19,000m²of temperature controlled space.
Opticool has 19,000m²of temperature controlled space.
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Pineapples from Costa Rica specially chosen for the high brix.
Pineapples from Costa Rica specially chosen for the high brix.
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Spanish tomatoes have a very fast rotation at the moment, this room is emptied every day.
Spanish tomatoes have a very fast rotation at the moment, this room is emptied every day.
Pineapples get cleaned and checked for quality before heading to the supermarkets.
Pineapples get cleaned and checked for quality before heading to the supermarkets.
Quality check on the bananas.
Quality check on the bananas.
Opticool back onto the port so ships can dock easily.
Opticool back onto the port so ships can dock easily.
This is the speedy boat for the tour of the port and lunch.
This is the speedy boat for the tour of the port and lunch.
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Containers and cranes in the distance.
Containers and cranes in the distance.
Opticool from the water.
Opticool from the water.
We were treated to a trip up the Nieuwe Maas river into the city as far as the Erasmus bridge. This is the Cruise terminal where the big cruise ships dock.
We were treated to a trip up the Nieuwe Maas river into the city as far as the Erasmus bridge. This is the Cruise terminal where the big cruise ships dock.
The port of Rotterdam building.
The port of Rotterdam building.
The bridge is opening to let the ships through.
The bridge is opening to let the ships through.
The new, modern buildings on the Rotterdam skyline.
The new, modern buildings on the Rotterdam skyline.
and further down the more traditional town houses.
and further down the more traditional town houses.
Back out into the port.
Back out into the port.
Containers, cranes and ships!
Containers, cranes and ships!
More containers and bigger cranes.
More containers and bigger cranes.
Bigger ships.
Bigger ships.
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Ever wondered how many containers there are in the port of Rotterdam?
Ever wondered how many containers there are in the port of Rotterdam?
Lots....
Lots....
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Leaving the port
Leaving the port
The stormvloedkering, the gates can close completely to protect the land from high tides and storms, it was built in 1997.
The stormvloedkering, the gates can close completely to protect the land from high tides and storms, it was built in 1997.
The gate have only been closeted once since construction.
The gate have only been closeted once since construction.
They are part of a system of defences to protect Holland from flooding.
They are part of a system of defences to protect Holland from flooding.
Next stop ADB Cool Company, a family business which was acquired by the Agro Merchant group in 2015. Leading the guests on land is Etienne Vennink, Commercial Manager at ADB.
Next stop ADB Cool Company, a family business which was acquired by the Agro Merchant group in 2015. Leading the guests on land is Etienne Vennink, Commercial Manager at ADB.
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The visitors gathered for a short presentation.
The visitors gathered for a short presentation.
Etienne explains all about ADB.
Etienne explains all about ADB.
Expansion plans at ADB.
Expansion plans at ADB.
ADB has 150,000m³ comprising of 15,000 pallets, 48 cooling and freezer rooms.
ADB has 150,000m³ comprising of 15,000 pallets, 48 cooling and freezer rooms.
As well as fruit storage, bulbs for the flower industry are also stored here. It is important to keep the temperature low as you don't want the bulbs to flower.
As well as fruit storage, bulbs for the flower industry are also stored here. It is important to keep the temperature low as you don't want the bulbs to flower.
In the cool rooms there a state of the art movable rack system, which saves space and automatically creates room for the forklifts to come and take the pallet.
In the cool rooms there a state of the art movable rack system, which saves space and automatically creates room for the forklifts to come and take the pallet.
The whole system is computerised and it is automatically decided where each pallet will go and the system can select the pallet when it is needed.
The whole system is computerised and it is automatically decided where each pallet will go and the system can select the pallet when it is needed.
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In this room there were 800 pallets of kiwis and grapes.
In this room there were 800 pallets of kiwis and grapes.
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When you see one of the cold cells empty you really get an idea of how big they are. the whole building is built to BREEAM sustainability standards. 1200 pillars were hammered into the ground during construction.
When you see one of the cold cells empty you really get an idea of how big they are. the whole building is built to BREEAM sustainability standards. 1200 pillars were hammered into the ground during construction.
Ginger from Inca Valley.
Ginger from Inca Valley.
Avocados from Isreal.
Avocados from Isreal.
This cell was -25 degrees, used for storing figs.
This cell was -25 degrees, used for storing figs.
This is the central control room.
This is the central control room.
Sweet potatoes from Farm Fresh are repacked.
Sweet potatoes from Farm Fresh are repacked.
Brazilian papayas also being repacked.
Brazilian papayas also being repacked.
Lots of people busy on the packing line for Physalis.
Lots of people busy on the packing line for Physalis.
Pink Ladys are also being repacked from cartons to 6 piece flowpacks.
Pink Ladys are also being repacked from cartons to 6 piece flowpacks.
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