Geschnittenes Gemüse
The new construction of DV Fresh also includes a fully automatic supply and removal of the empty crates from a 17 meter high automatic warehouse to the various packaging lines
Peter Bauwens, DV Fresh:
“We’re ready to introduce our new possibilities to clients” “Our 15,000m² expansion means DV Fresh is ready for the future,” say CEO of DV Fresh, Peter Bauwens, and Dirk Verkinderen, its business manager. This Belgian company processes and packs vegetables. Growth is one reason for this expansion; the need to further automate is another. DV Fresh works according to the operational excellence model, where efficiency is central. “For that, automation is critical to remove human error from the process. But also, less manual handling means less damage to the vegetables.”
AUTOMATION He has found that automation places different demands on staffing levels. Previously much of the work was done by hand. The focus has now shifted to people who operate machines and robots. DV Fresh, too, is aware of the labour market shortage. Yet, it is managing to fill its personnel needs well, says Peter, thanks to the Young Graduate Program. “We use this to help our people become dedicated specialists in their field.”
That is why the bulk of the company’s cessing and washing areas. It speeds the investment went to the handling process. process up considerably, which benefits “DV Fresh now has a team of experts at They have bought several new process- both the freshness and the speed of ser- the ready. They give their very best to ing, washing, and de-coring machines, vice. Compared to before, quality has sta- serve our clients.” Staff are therefore an automating much of the previous manual bilized tremendously. And, we need fewer important focus for this vegetable prolabour. “We’ve spent the most in the pro- operators,” says Peter. cessor. “Aside from investing in build-
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