Key Takeaways
- La Huerta, Mexico’s leader in frozen fruits and vegetables, has implemented a Veryx optical sorter to enhance product quality and safety.
- The Veryx system has improved efficiency, allowing for better labor distribution and increased yield by reducing rejected product volume.
- The company is committed to maintaining food safety with strict sanitation protocols and effective remote support from Key Technology.
La Huerta Achieves New Heights in Food Processing Quality
La Huerta, a prominent food processor established in 1957, has grown to dominate Mexico’s frozen fruits and vegetables market, now holding 65% of market share and exporting to 11 countries. To enhance their product quality and food safety, they have integrated a Veryx optical sorter from Key Technology on their individual quick-frozen (IQF) vegetable processing line.
Carlos Gutierrez, CEO of La Huerta, emphasized the importance of product quality, stating that while manual sorting was effective for years, automation was essential for enhancing their inspection process. After thorough evaluation, Veryx was selected due to its capability to handle a varied product line while consistently delivering high-quality results.
La Huerta has utilized Key’s Iso-Flo vibratory conveyors for over two decades, opting for a fully-loaded Veryx C140, which features advanced cameras and laser sensors. The system utilizes a Pixel Fusion detection module that combines inputs from these multiple sensors, conducting thorough inspections from all angles to effectively eliminate foreign materials (FM) like plastic and wood, along with other product defects.
Claudia Picazo, the manufacturing manager, noted the critical need for consistency in processing nine metric tons of vegetables hourly. Since the installation of Veryx, the company has reallocated staff, shifting four workers previously engaged in visual inspections to different roles, thus enhancing overall productivity. The reducer in the reject stream has led to recirculating 35% less product, significantly improving yield.
Key Technology designed La Huerta’s Veryx as part of an integrated system. This includes two upstream Iso-Flo vibratory conveyors: a scalping shaker that removes small clusters before sorting and an infeed shaker that optimizes product presentation for accurate inspection and defect removal. Jisel Betancourt, a process engineer, highlighted the adaptability of Veryx, facilitating quick adjustments to meet the specific characteristics of their diverse vegetable types.
La Huerta adheres to rigorous sanitation protocols to uphold safety standards. The Veryx sorter fits seamlessly into these practices, undergoing daily washdowns with soap and sanitizing solutions. RemoteMD software enhances operational efficiency, allowing immediate technician support when needed, showcasing Key Technology’s reliable customer service.
The positive feedback from La Huerta’s management reflects the effectiveness of Veryx. With satisfaction over the enhanced quality assurance, plans are already in progress to add another Veryx sorter to a different processing line. Mario Gutierrez, purchasing manager, expressed confidence in the sorter’s capabilities, ensuring they meet customer expectations consistently.
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