Stemilt has unveiled a new automated pear packing line in Wenatchee, Washington, aimed at enhancing freshness and ensuring uniform quality for consumers. The line incorporates advanced features such as automatic defect sorters, pear-specific belted brush beds, a bin washer, and automated baggers to facilitate a consistent packing process. "The automated pear line is expected to double our capacity," noted Don Reeves, manager at Stemilt Growers. This development is in response to anticipated future volume growth in pear production.
The newly implemented line processes pears with two automated defect sorting cameras and employs a system that flips the fruit for a comprehensive 360 view, ensuring thorough quality checks. Adjustments to the belted brush beds cater to the pears' delicacy, while the bin washer ensures cleanliness after each run. Reeves highlighted the significant enhancement in automation, particularly in the bagging and sorting process, which optimizes the packing of fresh orders and facilitates efficient storage in controlled atmosphere rooms.
Post-packing, the pears are conveyed directly into cold storage at Stemilt's Fresh Cube distribution center, maintaining an optimal cold chain from packing to storage. The automation of the line not only prioritizes quality by minimizing manual handling but also supports the introduction of new pear varieties by leveraging new sorting technologies. With the line's capacity nearly tripled compared to its predecessor, Stemilt plans future expansions to accommodate consumer packaging. "The more consistent we can make the box opening experience, the better," Reeves stated, emphasizing the line's role in delivering high-quality pears to the market.
Source: Supermarkt Perimeter