Written by Giel Boonen, Sales Accountmanager
Estimated reading time 5 minuten
Growth requires controllable packing capacity
Beekers Berries operate in an environment where volume, freshness, and seasonal pressure require a warehouse process that can adapt quickly. As Operations Manager, Ad Nouws is responsible for everything in the warehouse and was involved from the very beginning in the new-build project and the further setup of the operation.
The main challenge was automating packing and weighing. Beekers Berries wanted to keep growing, while also preventing additional volume from automatically leading to more internal transport, more manual handling, and greater dependence on labor.
We spoke with Ad Nouws, Operations Manager at Beekers Berries.
Customer: Beeks Berries
Industry: Fresh produce / soft fruit processing
Challenge: Increasing production capacity, automating packing and weighing, and becoming less dependent on internal transport and manual labor
Solution: Expansion of existing ARCO lines with central conveyor systems for infeed and outfeed, product and box handling, and support for packing and weighing processes
Result: Development from 7 to 14 lines, less internal transport, labor savings, and room for further automation
Expanding on an existing foundation
The partnership between Beekers Berries and ARCO goes back many years. Through a third party that purchased machines from ARCO, a relationship developed that has now existed for around 15 to 20 years. As a result, there was not only technical familiarity, but also trust in the way both parties work together.
The current lines have now been in place for approximately six years and are being expanded step by step. What started with 7 lines has now grown into 14 lines. In addition, new expansion projects are already on the table to further extend the existing installation.
The solution is built around three core components:
Packing and weighing automation
The lines support the automated processing, weighing, and packing of soft fruit, allowing production capacity to scale with demand.
Central product and box flows
Central conveyor systems organize the infeed to the lines and the outfeed from the lines. This reduces unnecessary movement within the warehouse.
Scalable expansion
ARCO helps expand the existing installation step by step to multiple lines, with a focus on controlling the flow of boxes and products across the line.
The result?
Not a stand-alone expansion, but a foundation on which Beekers Berries can continue to automate. The traditional lines are largely ARCO-driven, the strawberry lines are fully ARCO-driven, and for each line, the role ARCO can best fulfill is assessed based on the specific situation.
More production with less internal movement
Automation increases production capacity, but just as importantly, it keeps growth manageable. Beekers Berries does not automate only to process more volume, but also to become less dependent on additional manual labor. This makes the operation more scalable, especially as production continues to expand.
In the warehouse, the reduction in internal transport is especially visible. Where infeed and outfeed would otherwise require many separate movements, these flows now run through central conveyor systems. Products and boxes are moved to and from the lines more efficiently, so employees spend less time moving goods and maintain better control over the process.
Partnership as the basis for further automation
For Beekers Berries, the value lies not only in the installation itself, but especially in the partnership that helps define the right next step each time. Ad Nouws brings in the ideas and operational requirements from the warehouse, which are then translated together with ARCO’s sales team into expansions that fit within the existing environment.
“The installation itself is not unique, but the partnership with ARCO to achieve a good result works very well. ARCO is a great partner to work with,” says Ad Nouws.
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What our customers say about us
“We saw great commitment and determination. ARCO didn’t leave until the system was running. That shared drive made the cooperation truly enjoyable.”
“ARCO delivered an automated solution that integrates seamlessly with our pick line. Their dedicated approach and smooth execution made it a partnership worth repeating.”
“Our cooperation with ARCO was excellent. Where we previously relied on manual and labour-intensive processes, we now have a fully automated system that makes our production far more efficient.”
“ARCO responded quickly and showed great creativity in the design and test setups. Our close cooperation made the successful implementation of the new packaging line possible.”
‘ARCO’s weighing line has had a major impact on our production. Our new system cuts product losses by up to 6%. It was a successful project and a rewarding collaboration.’
“ARCO is a no-nonsense partner that thinks in practical, affordable solutions. With their expertise, they build strong and efficient intralogistics systems. We look forward to working together again.”
