Belgium: Tomato grower saves 350 hours with automatic labeling

The Belgian tomato grower Marc Schietecatte wanted a machine that automatically inserts labels into Europool boxes, an activity leading to headaches and excessive man-hours. He called in the help of machine specialist Demtec and six months later he had his very own device. He estimates the machine saves up to 350 hours a year.

Schietecatte saw a similar machine at an exhibition. That device was not put into production, because the company thought there would be a lack of interest. But Marc was definitely interested and wrote to Demtec. "And then it all happened very fast. The machine was developed in under six months," he says. Stefaan Vandaele of Demtec explains why it was so easy. "We already had a machine for this kind of work for floriculture. The details varied slightly, but essentially the technique was already there."

Since July 2012, the process has been completely automated. "It saves about 350 hours per year," says Schietecatte. He grows his tomatoes in Sint-Katelijne-Waver between Antwerp and Brussels. His acreage is 2.6 hectares and he repudiates the notion that his investment is suitable only for large companies. "The machine handles 1200 labels per hour, but we take things much slower.”

For more information:
Stefaan Vandaele
Demaitere bvba – demtec
Roeselaarsestraat 171
8890 Moorslede
België
T +32 51 77 70 36
F +32 51 77 11 13
[email protected]