Founded in 2017, the Netherlands-based NCP Group has established itself as a leader in nut processing and packaging. They are committed to delivering consistent quality and optimal food safety every single day. To ensure a smooth and reliable workflow, NCP Group adopted Optimum Sorting’s innovative sorting technology several years ago. Since then, it has become a crucial part of their production process. In the next interview, Mark Klopstra, General Manager of NCP Group, talks about the challenges his company encountered and explains why they opted for the Ventus optical laser sorter.
Nut processing from start to finish
“Nuts Cleaning and Packaging (NCP) has been established in 2017. Thanks to our facilities near the port of Rotterdam, we quickly grew into an international player in the nut processing industry. We offer a wide range of services covering the entire nut processing chain. This includes curative and preventive treatment of nuts against insects, cleaning and packaging, cutting, and sorting,” explains Mark Klopstra, General Manager of NCP Group.
“NCP specializes primarily in the processing of tree nuts. Well-known examples include cashews, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Every nut that leaves our facility must meet strict quality and food safety standards. For every batch of nuts, precise sorting is essential to remove unwanted materials like shells, plastic pieces, and wood fragments.”
Switching to optical sorting technology
“Optimum Sorting first caught our attention when we met them at the INC Nut and Fruit Congress in Dubai. Afterwards, we had the chance to visit their testing facilities in Belgium and see their optical sorting technology in action. We brought along a batch of nuts, just as they would arrive at our facility, and ran them through their sorter. The results left us impressed from the very start!”
“Before we started working with Optimum Sorting, we primarily used mechanically driven sorting machines and X-ray techniques. However, these solutions clearly had their limitations. In many cases, we still had to perform manual quality checks which was very labor-intensive and demanded a lot from our processing capacity. Moreover, during a manual inspection, you can only examine one side of the nut, not the bottom. This meant there was always a risk that small irregularities could slip through. Luckily, with Optimum Sorting’s technology, we can now tackle these challenges with ease.”
The power of the Ventus sorting machine
“While searching for an efficient sorting solution, we quickly discovered the Ventus: a free-fall sorter from Optimum Sorting. The demos we attended showed that the Ventus delivered the most accurate sorting results. Additionally, we could easily adjust the machine whenever we needed to sort a different type of nut. This flexibility was very important to us. Moreover, the user interface proved to be very accessible. Our staff quickly got the hang of it.”
“The Ventus offers an unparalleled processing capacity, letting us manage a greater volume of products with significantly less manual intervention and fewer control steps. The innovative laser technology has greatly improved the sorting results. The Ventus effortlessly detects all kinds of irregularities and unwanted materials such as wood splinters, shells, insect damage, pieces of plastic, and so on.”
Improving sustainability and customer satisfaction
“Thanks to Optimum Sorting, we have made great progress in terms of sustainability. By sorting more accurately, we experience fewer ‘false rejects,’ or nuts that were incorrectly rejected by the sorting system. This helps us reduce (food) waste and boost the yield for our end customers.”
“Our customers have been giving us a lot of positive feedback. They are more satisfied than ever with the quality and results we provide. Plus, the Ventus machine enables us to offer our services at a more cost-effective price. It’s a win-win for everyone, without a doubt.”
24/7 support and innovation
“Optimum Sorting provided extensive support throughout the entire startup process. Even after the installation and commissioning of their machines, their expertise remains available. Their unique 24/7 service ensures that assistance is always at hand when needed – even through remote solutions where their engineers can log into our machines in Rotterdam. This ensures the continuity of our operations around the clock.”
“Finally, it’s reassuring for us to know that the team at Optimum Sorting is constantly innovating and developing new techniques. This ensures we have access to the best solutions for our business, both now and in the future. This continuous innovation ensures we can always stay one step ahead of the competition.”
Interested in a free demo?
Get in touch with the sales team of Optimum Sorting and have your products tested at one of our demo centers around the globe.
Experience firsthand the benefits our machines can bring to your business!
