Complete sorting solutions Aweta

COMPLETE SORTING

Aweta grading and packaging BV is a global leader in the design and manufacture of packing and sorting systems for fruit, vegetables and flowers. Philip Yorke talked to Jean Luc Delcasse, the company’s CEO about its innovative new products and its latest company restructuring programme.

SOLUTIONS

The Aweta Group is based in the Netherlands where it began by producing packing and sorting systems for greenhouse tomatoes almost 50 years ago. Today the Aweta Group occupies a leading position in sorting equipment worldwide. All the company’s manufacturing, sales and logistics offices are located in major fruit, vegetable and flower producing areas. Furthermore, all the specialised sorting equipment is designed, developed, assembled and tested in-house.

Innovation has for many years been part of the company’s culture and the key to Aweta’s success. All over the world, Aweta’s researchers are collectively working on new systems and software programs based on a broad knowledge of advanced sorting technologies and automation techniques.

The leading specialist in post-harvest technology

The face of agriculture is changing fast and often driven by consumers who demand ever better quality fruit and vegetables.

The consumer is also demanding new, innovative packaging that is more eco-friendly and sustainable in character. Here Aweta’s strength lies in its ability to think internationally, whilst at the same time being able to adapt to the specific characteristics and changing demands of each market. In the agriculture sector, the ability to think global and act local is more than an advantage for Aweta, it is a necessity if it is to move ahead with the times.

Delcasse said. “Recently we have undergone a major restructuring programme that has made us an even more flexible and efficient company. We are now able to present to market one common platform whether it’s greenhouse, kiwi, citrus or apple produce. In fact we can now include mango, avocado, pomegranate and lots of other produce on the same platform which gives an advantage in term of quality (reliability), service (local support) and price by the quantity of platform units built and installed all over the world. The big difference between us and our competitors is that we grew up in three sectors; Aweta G&P in Holland in the greenhouse sector, Aweta Sistemi, spa in the apple and kiwi sectors and Aweta Autoline, in the citrus sector, this has put us way ahead of the competition.”

“In addition, we have maintained our leading position as the biggest supplier of sorting and packing equipment for greenhouse growers worldwide. We have a strong presence in the global market for all types of fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as for exotic fruits such as avocados and mangoes. Our technology is the best on the market. We can look inside an apple, an avocado or inside an orange without touching it. Our sensors can detect the smallest amount of decay or browning and we can make clear, concise separation between 1st quality produce, 2nd market or juice products and 3rd quality, throw-away produce with total accuracy and reliability.”

Delcasse added, “A recent example of how our technology helped a local fruit producer was when a pear farmer discovered that most of his pears came out of the cold store with damage inside. We helped him to detect the problem in the pears and what was causing it, then we worked out a reliable solution and built a machine within six weeks to overcome his problem. This was a serious problem that was devastating his business. We are talking about 4,000 tons of pears being affected and we were able to help him to save his crop and his business and return him to profitability in less than two months.”

Challenge us!!

OBS group: Construction, engineering and installation technique.

We are specialist in metal processing, Aweta is one of our highly valued clients we deliver their various machine parts

We work for the following industries: • Machinery food / non food • Horticulture industry • Industrial automation • Offshore / shipbuilding • Logistic automation • Machine parts supplier

Our specialism: • Welding • Robot Welding • Water cutting • Laser cutting • Sheet metal • Industrial maintenance and repairs

We process the following materials: • Stainless Steel • Steel • Aluminum • Various materials on our water cutting machine from foam till glass

Our strengths: • Accuracy • Speed • Quality • Well priced

Address: Oosteindsepad 8 a | Zip code: 2661 EP | City: Bergschenhoek Tel: +31 (0) 880010000 | Fax: +31 (0) 88-0010099 | Website: www.obsgroep.nl

Systek, realizing ideas together

As technology partner we are used to work with multiple parties involved in the entire process from design to production and maintenance of your product. Based on our knowledge and expertise we develop technically complex and innovative projects. We work closely together with our customer to solve complex technological issues with demanding constraints. In the early stage of the design a combination is made between electronics, programmable logic and software. Our customized project approach is focused on minimizing the risk for you. As partner and supplier we are proud to be involved with Aweta as trendsetter in technology.

Complete sorting and handling solutions

Aweta always looks for the optimum solution to any sorting and packing problem and ‘blemish-sorting’ forms an important part of the company’s technology solutions portfolio. To achieve absolute consistency and accuracy in detecting small defects on the skin of fruit travelling at very high speed, the company developed a revolutionary and unique sensor technology called “Power Vision 3D”. This product enables operators to determine the quality of fruit or vegetables, as well as any possible defects that may be present, both inside or on the surface of the product. This is all achieved by robotic selection at a high velocity without any resulting damage to the products in question.

Furthermore, internal quality sorting is achieved with another groundbreaking product called ‘Inscan-IQA” which is the best and most advanced product in its class on the market. This sensor can detect any internal rot or decay inside apples, citrus fruits, avocados or mangos. This highly accurate sensor can also measure the sugar and acid content contained in many fruits.

In box handling systems too, Aweta is able to provide a complete system which is capable of conveying boxes, crates and bins at the infeed but also at the packing side. Aweta’s ability to design and supply customised palletization systems makes the difference in term of productivity and efficiency.

The world’s most intelligent grading machines

As part of its diverse product portfolio, Aweta also designs and produces the most advanced grading machines on the market today and these offer significant advantages over competitive products. This is because the Aweta system operates using the same software and technological infrastructure regardless of the actual products being processed. In addition to providing a uniform design that enables efficient service and support worldwide, it also offers flexible switching between processed products.”

Aweta deliver unique systems with advanced Plant Integration

The company’s electronic platform not only manages the grading parameters, but also supervises the whole sorting and packing line. ‘plant integration’ devices is a versatile device which is able to respond to any customer demands. This is the result of thousands of customised systems which have produced a modular device which can be easily customised. It integrates tracking and tracing, making the link with the customer’s data’s informations, as well as controlling allocations to specific outlets and controlling the packaging flow through the packing line.

‘Smart Supervision’ monitors and controls the sorter in real time and inform the operator of the sorting status. If for any reason, some fruits are not sorted, the device will immediately display the source of the problem n