4 minute read
More affordable dehydrators
Auckland based Netropolitan is a specialist importer of processing equipment for Artisan food producers.
Recently turning their attention to the fruit and vegetable sector, Netropolitan have imported the latest range of IKE closed loop dehydrators, offering a new and lower price point in effective dehydration solutions.
The WRH-100 series machines quickly and efficiently dehydrate a wide range of fruit and vegetables. Starting from just $16,000 the WRH-100 series come complete with trays and accessories, these units can dehydrate up to 100kg of produce. Larger machines are available capable of dehydrating up to 1500kg of product per batch. Similar currently available dehydrators start from $100,000 so this range offers options for niche businesses or for the purposes of researching and testing new food options with less financial outlay.
When it comes to energy efficiency these dehydrators are top performers, as heat is circulated within the ‘closed loop’, ensuring minimal energy losses. Easy to install and operate, these are simple compact plug-in models which have optional cloud-based support if required.
The IKE WRH-100 series is suitable for a wide range of dehydration uses including apples and other pip fruit, citrus, kiwifruit, berryfruit, nuts and flowers. Produce retains colour and fragrance on the low to medium settings and retains much of the nutritional value of the original produce.
With increasing disruption to export and freight channels it’s an excellent time to re-think the post-harvest options for surplus fruit and vegetables which may otherwise go to waste. Similarly, with imports getting more expensive and problematic, options to supply the home market with products which have traditionally been imported may now be economically viable particularly if the equipment required for niche innovation is affordable.
Working principles
Description of Parts:
1. Drying house 2. Material to be dried
3. Hot and dry air 4. Hot and humid air
5. Core body of the dryer 6. Condensed water (released from the drying house)
A limited number of IKE-100 dehydrators are now available in New Zealand. Make enquiries directly to Gerald Hochwimmer on 021 258 380 or email
info@netropolitan.co.nz
Hortivate – Grow better
Hortivate was established to challenge and improve growing structures and crop protection that are used in horticulture today. Hortivate is a Kiwi family business with deep roots in the horticulture industry going back five generations.
Hortivate works hand-in-hand with growers to innovate and develop new products and systems that help growers to ‘Grow better’. We have also partnered with established European companies to bring superior products to the New Zealand market.
Concrete structure with crystal hail net
Pre-stressed Concrete Structures
Building systems from the ground up allows Hortivate to bring the greatest value to you as a grower. Our structures are made from pre-stressed concrete, so they are the most sustainable structures on the market. They are 100% organic ready, not subject to rot or degradation, have exceptional longevity and are very simple to install. Being able to integrate your plant support and your required crop protection into one fully engineered structure creates an economically viable solution for a guaranteed harvest. It also decreases the footprint of your structures and reduces installation costs.
Using 50 MPa (megapascal) pre-stressed concrete means you are building a structure that will last you 50 years at least, a product that does not weaken over time.
Testimonial
Here is what Mark Thomas of Thomas Bros Limited had to say about Hortivate structures.
“Hortivate structures are easy to install, cost-effective and a solid product. The ease of having the complete system arrive on-site at one time simplifies the project and we enjoyed dealing with one supplier at competitive rates. The componentry of the structure is very user friendly, allowing you to use a larger range of experienced staff to install.”
Retrofit structure with neutral grey hail net
Retrofit Systems
After the Boxing Day hailstorm in Motueka, the importance of hail protection for fruit crops could not be more magnified. Hortivate offers solutions for growers with existing orchards that do not have hail cover. This involves working out how to extend and strengthen the existing structure, then designing the most suitable hail net system. Likewise, this past season cherry growers have experienced devastating losses in production from rain causing cracking of the fruit. Hortivate also delivers solutions for automated retractable rain protection over your cherries. Retrofitting a system onto existing structures is a costeffective way to gain protection over existing orchards. This process can be difficult, so contact the Hortivate team to have a chat and they will walk you through the best solution for your orchard.
If you have any growing structure or crop protection requirements get in touch with the friendly bunch at Hortivate on 0800 222 312 or send an email to info@hortivate.co.nz. Alternatively check out our website, www.hortivate.co.nz.
