January/February 2023 - 18

FACILITY MANAGEMENT
alone. On the other hand, it is important
to choose an equipment supplier based on
a long-term relation which you will have
when using the equipment every day to
fulfill the expectations of your customers.
In this respect it is, of course, helpful
to have as few equipment suppliers as
possible and, even more importantly,
someone that will support you also after
the equipment is installed.
When starting a processing line, the
 A full Kronen processing line at Sodexo Santander. Photo: Banco Santander S.A.
8 tips for starting out
1. Be sure that you know when starting your planning who your
customers will be and which market segment you want to have
your (first) focus on.
2. Understand that for a good quality product, you need to have the
complete process in mind, from raw material supply to delivery
to the customer. The chain is only as good as its weakest link.
3. Make sure you plan enough space for every part of the process
when thinking about the layout and size of your production facility:
storage of raw material and finished goods, processing area(s),
offices, sanitary areas, change rooms etc.
4. Try to learn from others. If you do have the possibility to visit an
existing facility and have a conversation with people doing what
you plan to do, it will make your life much easier. In the end, it is
the people running the business on every level within the facility
that make the difference between success and failure.
5. Do not just look where you can get things cheapest. It's better
to plan on where, based on your experience in this field, you can
profit from a good relationship with your supplier. Investment is
not only a one-time thing. Running costs and reliability are more
important over time.
6. Understand that processing of produce needs good quality to
go in to get good quality out.
7. For fresh produce processing, it is quite often necessary to look
for suitable raw material to get the shelf life and quality your
customers are looking for.
8. Make yourself aware of regulations when applying for your planned
business.
- Kronen
18 JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2 023
focus should be on equipment that allows
you to add on to the line step by step
when your business grows, as only then
the business is paying off the investment.
The focus in the beginning should be on
machines that are difficult to replace
with people.
Our recommendation is always to
invest first in cutting and spinning
equipment as peel ing, transport,
washing and packaging are steps that
can be done manually or with simple
solutions when starting. Of course, it
is always better to have the full set as
equipment reduces labor cost, allows
more consistent quality and more control
over the different steps, and last but not
least, a more professional look of the
final packed product. Unfortunately, a
company's budget doesn't always allow
investment in a full processing line and,
as mentioned before, machinery is only
one part of the total picture. To have a
successful production, every part along
the line needs to be done right.
Bain: The concept changes from
produce type to produce type. In early
stage produce facilities, conveyors have
someone unloading, picking off conveyor,
etc. For automation, it depends heavily
on where in the process - and what type
of produce. But we've seen sorting and
grading of produce being automated. Is
it ready for the shelf or does it need a
couple of days? Vision systems are used
in these types of equipment. There is
more value with it - produce is higher
quality when it goes to market, while
also reducing labor and increasing speed.
We sell sorting machine builders, highspeed
valves, larger air cylinders to kick
out potatoes or bad tomatoes. You can
automate a drop chute and an arm to
pick and place product.
January/February 2023

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