From a trimmer to an innovative binding system. This is roughly-put the history of the TOM System. As manually placing plastic binders has become unnecessary, some 10% is saved on labour costs. "And the rings are recyclable. So your cultivation is sustainable and also falls in a lower tax rate when it comes to waste," says Dirk-Jan Haas of Mertens Agro.
Alberto Lizarraga of Agrifast
There wre a few Spaniards around on the Horticultural Relationship Days in Gorinchem. At the stand of Mertens Agro, Alberto Lizarraga and Esteban Konyay of Agri Fast were observing a laptop making a regular rustling sound. It is the sound of the TOM system: a device placing metal rings around plants instead of plastic clips. Lizarraga and Konyay have developed the binding system from an electric trimmer. "In Spain growers are pruning their vineyards with electric shears. This technique has been tested, we just improved on the concept.” The system operates on a battery that lasts over eight hours.
Dirk-Jan Haas of Mertens Agro
The device is now being introduced on the Dutch market via Mertens Agro, while being marketed in Belgium, Spain, Mexico and Canada at the same time. A kind of large stapler places a thin metal ring around the tomato, eggplant or pepper plant, making clipping redundant. The ring is made of galvanized steel and is 1.4 mm thick. "That is actually thinner than plastic clips," says Dirk-Jan Haas of Mertens Agro.
The system has been tested in the past year and is now being rolled out worldwide. In the Netherlands the first grower is already working with it. The high operating speed allows him to reduce 10% of labour costs. Prices of the rings are similar to clips, while the TOM System itself costs around 1,600 Euro.
Alberto Lizarraga
Agrifast
Tel: +34 948 335266
