Trofi Pack has been operational in its new manufacturing facility located in Den Hoorn, a Dutch settlement located in Den Hoorn since the spring of 2020. Trofi is on its third expansion stage. “Sometimes it’s necessary to remind ourselves. The good thing is that we’re growing gradual, making it simple to handle and construction did not alter our daily activities,” begins Harry van der Hout.
Trofi Pack’s latest DC is 23,000 sq m however, it’s not finished at that point. The co-shareholder, neighbor and neighbour Van der Helm is expanding significantly, too. They will be moving into Alpen aan den Rijn in 2024. This gives Trofi Pack access to an extra 18,000 square meters starting the next year. The space will be split between around 10,000 sq m of storage cold and ripening cells as well as an additional 8,000 square meters of packaging division. “We could not have anticipated that six years ago, when we first came up with our ideas.”
Director cites the choices made to be the primary reason behind this increase. “We’re extremely selective about our packaging and how we mature. The customers love that. is a benefit to European retailers who understand they can turn to us with products that are perfect ripened mangoes and avocados,” he says.
“Despite all the latest technology for sorting and ripening the expertise of our ripeners remains an essential element. Three ripeners at our facility all day long cut into avocados. In case there’s doubts, the avocados are utilized for making Guacamole. We are now supplying high-quality avocados in a tray to an German grocery store. In comparison to the Netherlands in which two avocados inside a flow pack is frequent, this is far more efficient. The avocados aren’t squeezed by shoppers.”
Harry believes that the exotics segment’s expansion isn’t over yet. “The Ready to Eat segment is still a particular opportunity for growth. Avocado consumption has increased dramatically over the last decade However, the consumption of countries like Germany, the Netherlands and Germany remains far from, for instance, Scandinavia.”
“Sweet potatoes are an important part of our business, which is why we carry a large amount of grapes throughout the international season” Harry says. Harry and does not think of expanding into for example, the blueberry industry as an option in the near future. “Those tend to be the best-selling products in the time of import. We’d like to be sure that there is a wide spread of production throughout the year.”
Van der Hout would prefer to limit the amount of customers. “I consider that having a couple of significant customers is much better than having 50 smaller ones. Many people think that I’m weird due to this, but I believe that. If you’re dealing with 50 customers and 48 of them always feel they’re being cheated. Then you need to ease the burden of your customers’ needs, including sea freight and transportation through customs clearing, packing and ordering. We are experts in all of that,” he explains.
The plant now has 25 ripening cells as well as 24 cooling units, as well as 23 lines for packaging. ULMA provided the top seal as well as flow pack equipment, while Viscon created an e-vineyard line. On the packaging facility is a set of the four Newtec netting equipments, an automated netting line made by MAF Roda, and a JASA line that makes cardboard sleeves. Sorting is possible with two lines of Aweta as well as MAF Roda is currently developing an avocado sorting machine that is advanced that will choose the avocado by hardness and quality inside.
“We are currently employing 75 permanent employees and 75 employees on temporary. In the future, with automated processes, we’re hoping to cut down the number of workers on temporary contracts to. This is often more difficult to say to do, however. There is a chance to make back your investment over time,” Harry explains, “but it has to be a part into the overall process. We will continue to employ the use of manual labour, however things like stacking boxes, pallets and banding are becoming performed by computers. We also use robot arms to move products onto our line.”
The astronomical energy costs of last year was a test for the industry. “Those are in control today. The building’s solar panels of 8,000 do a great job.” Harry mentions that finding and keeping talented employees as an issue. “We should therefore take care to take care of our employees. As an example, they could practice on our premises at a gym that is professionally run. If the business is doing great then the employees should see this, too.” He concluding.
For additional information, click here:
Trofi Pack
Harry van der Hout
10 Harnaschdreef
2635 BT, Den Hoorn, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 174 266 100
Email: h.vdhout@trofipack.nl
Website: www.trofipack.nl
Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies