Interko, a global company for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, is experiencing rocketing global demand for its affordable turnkey Optimo ripening room with over 30 installations underway concurrently.
The Dutch company's growing order portfolio currently includes: ten Optimo ripening rooms in the Netherlands for French premium retailer Grand Frais; four rooms in Aruba for bananas; two in Kenya for avocados, four in Asia for avocados, and three in Portugal for bananas.
Chris Maat, Managing Director/Partner at Interko, remarked, "Our Interko Optimo room is selected by ripeners looking for a smaller, economical space with the capability to part-load different fruits, while maintaining access to advanced technology and high-energy efficiency."
Maat continues: "Optimo is an entry-level system that benefits from all the pioneering technologies of our larger ripening rooms. To optimise the airflow, the room features a heat exchanger along the length of the room plus our exclusive REVERSO 2.0 fans which were upgraded last year. Unlike in a tarp room, the air distribution in an Optimo room is more equal, so the temperature is uniform throughout, resulting in evenly ripened fruit across the room. Compared with a tarp room, Optimo ripeners achieve better quality fruit consistently, and low energy consumption, which means happier customers and lower electricity bills."
Fine Fruit Company, which handles the overseas imports for French supermarket operator Grand Frais, is working closely with Interko to install 10 Optimo ripening rooms in the Netherlands for avocados and mangoes.
Almir Dedovic, Director of Fine Fruit Company, comments: "Grand Frais focuses on firsts and prioritises premium quality fruit with superior flavour. Interko therefore was the natural fit for this installation project considering its track-record in perfecting the ripening process for fresh fruit. Interko's professionalism and personal touch ensured that we were in excellent hands and that the Optimo room was the perfect choice."
Interko's market-leading reputation was a big draw for Geerlofs, a specialist manufacturer of storage and processing systems for fresh produce, which is involved in the installation of two Optimo rooms in Kenya for avocados. "For some applications and good customers who have a business for which we need other specialists to join us, we do this with partners that we trust and know well – Interko is such a company," points out a representative of Geerlofs.
Similarly, Compra Aruba, Aruba's largest supplier of food and non-food, chose Interko after being impressed by its advanced ripening technology. "After searching for the best on the market, we came across Interko. Management saw one of their ripening rooms in operation, then agreed on a system and price," notes a spokesperson.
Over the past six decades, Interko has played a significant role in the evolution of ripening technology, influencing standards within the industry. The company's engineering team is dedicated to the continual refinement of their ripening room offerings. Among the latest updates to the Optimo room is the addition of stainless-steel drip trays, designed to enhance durability and extend the product's lifespan.
The Optimo model features pre-installed advanced technology from Interko for swift installation and optimal ripening conditions. To aid in the setup process, Interko has introduced new digital interactive installation and user manuals. The Optimo system is designed to ripen 8 to 24 pallets of bananas, avocados, or mangoes and is adaptable to various pallet sizes.
The single-level ripening room that can be split into four zones, each with an individual cooler and air guidance system. This enables ripeners to switch on and off each zone independently as they adapt to market demand which saves energy usage and reduces running costs.
For more information:
Chris Maat/Anna Zegveld
Interko
Nijverheidstraat 8,
2751 GR Moerkapelle, Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)79 593 2581
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.interko.com