In the first construction phase for the new Heidesand eG potato packing plant in Brochdorf, Germany, an approx. 10,000 m² hall is being built - technically state-of-the-art and in accordance with the latest energy standards. "The requirements of food retailers are becoming more stringent. With the new facility, we are securing the marketing of table potatoes to the food retail trade for local farmers," says Klaus-Dieter Masselink, Managing Director of Heidesand. Here, the potatoes are sorted by size, cleaned, washed and polished. They are then weighed, packed into various containers and prepared for transport.
"The aim is for the potatoes to be presented in a visually appealing way at retail," says Co-Managing Director Lorenz Baden. This includes sorting the potatoes for consumption in Neuenkirchen exactly according to size and cleaning, washing, drying and polishing them after sorting. Sorting is done using photo-optical systems and no longer by hand. If a potato is green, it is rejected. Baden speaks of "rapid development" when he talks about the technical possibilities. For example, robots will place the finished packs in the crates. Packaging will also be automated.
Right: Ground-breaking ceremony for the first construction phase in Brochdorf near Neuenkirchen
Photo credit: Raiffeisen-Warengenossenschaft eG
For more information:
Heidesand Raiffeisen-Warengenossenschaft eG
Vahlder Weg 41
27383 Scheeßel 
Phone: 04263 / 303 0
Fax: 04263 / 303 66
[email protected]
www.heidesand.de