Zetapack, an Italian company that specializes in designing and producing machinery for grading and weighing fruits and vegetables, developed an advanced solution to optimize the case-packing process. In early 2025, the system was installed at the warehouse of Tomatenkwekerij van Rens in the Netherlands. This company specializes in packing vine tomatoes into 5–6 kg cases and markets them under the Enjoy Tomato brand.
"The owner of the Dutch company was looking for a solution that could guarantee a continuous workflow from the arrival of the cases from the greenhouse to the final palletizing for shipment to reduce the number of operators involved in the process and ensure the accuracy of the weight of each package," explains Nicola Antonacci and Arianna Zammarchi, sales managers at the Zetapack sales office.
"Our system performs an initial weight check on each incoming case," Antonacci continues. Based on the result, three different actions are taken. The first action is taken for overweight cases, in which a tomato or a bunch of two to three fruits is removed from the case. The second action occurs when the weight is correct, and the case continues directly to the end of the line. Finally, if the case is underweight, it is supplemented with the missing quantity of product.
© ZETAPACK Srl
The C1-LUX weighing machine facilitates this process by automatically adjusting the weight of each box to ensure it meets the established standards. At the end of the production cycle, a second checkweigher detects any non-standard boxes and automatically returns them to the beginning.
The system requires only two operators, each with a specific function: one operator removes excess product from overweight cases and replenishes the C1-LUX weigher's cups; the other operator completes underweight cases according to the system's suggested adjustments.
© Cristiano Riciputi | HortiDaily.comNicola Antonacci and Arianna Zammarchi
Antonacci and Zammarchi's conclusion: "This solution allows our Dutch customer to pack 20-25 cases per minute. Over 450,000 cases have been processed in the first few months of use. The main benefits are increased packing speed, reduced personnel, and a lower giveaway rate."
Zetapack will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin (Hall 2.1, Stand C23). Staff will be available at the fair to answer questions and present new technologies.
For more information:
Zetapack
Via L. Longo, 220
47521 Cesena (FC) - Italy
Arianna Zammarchi
+39 3703134816
[email protected]
www.zetapack.it
