Regarding seed potato packaging, agribusiness Maatschap Schuiling, led by brothers Wietze and Gosse, was primarily looking for flexibility. Finding employees was difficult, and growth was constrained. This was resolved with an Eqraft packing line.

The business must be flexible when it comes to seed potatoes. Each order is different in terms of weight, type of packing, and type of potato. Other farmers who grow potatoes for human consumption are the primary recipients of these orders. But Schuiling sells a lot of seed potatoes to Agrico, a trade company. The list of clients includes exporters. Automation is critical to the agricultural industry. Flexibility is the most important requirement for this automation for Schuiling’s seed potatoes. The machines enable the business to adjust to changes in the market. The most frequent orders are for 25 and 50-kg jute bags, although the packaging process can also handle smaller bags and other materials.

The company’s management bought a combined scale and a Baxmatic Eqraft machine to provide this versatility. The fact that the devices are connected for communication—a crucial feature in such a dynamic setting—is a significant advantage for Wietze Schuiling.

“Eqraft is not the low-cost option, but in the end, it is a solid investment,” Wietze Schuiling mentioned. He is also pleased with the company’s service. After all, every farm is different. In Wietze Schuiling’s opinion, there are no ‘plug-and-play’ options. The exact settings of these machines have to be configured. Jute, for example, works differently than polypropylene, mainly used for consumer packs.

“If you have a packing line like that, you just want to have it running without issues,” he added. Eqraft made sure of that. A good thing, because fellow farmers from the area regularly visit Schuiling to observe the machines in action. Schuiling and Eqraft considered the practical implementation of the packing line as well. The Baxmatic at Schuiling is placed slightly higher, to allow sufficient fall height for the 50 kg bags. It is also possible to easily empty the packing line into a box. This allows for quick switching between orders with different potato varieties. After filling the bags, they’re off to the sewing lane where the bags are labeled and closed automatically. Subsequently, Symach palletizes and wraps the potato bags.

The Eqraft equipment now operates at full capacity. After the first season, the settings for the Baxmatic have been fully optimized, and Wietze Schuiling aims to process around 15 to 20 tons per hour.