User Experience Optica Q at Creek Side Potatoes, Calmar, Alberta, Canada
In the Calmar area of central Alberta, the Mooij family runs a successful seed potato business called Creek Side Potatoes. They grow multiple varieties on hundreds of hectares and their high-quality seed potatoes are shipped throughout Canada and to the United States. With their investment in the Optica Q, they are taking the next step into the future of seed potato production - using modern technology to make their business even more efficient and effective.
Creek Side Potatoes did not rush into choosing the Optica Q. “We looked at several optical sorting machines on the market. For us it was crucial that the machine had the capacity we needed and was gentle on the potatoes, since we only work with high-quality seed potatoes. We chose the Tolsma-Grisnich Optica Q because it met all our requirements: it has the capacity we were looking for, a very soft drop to prevent damage to the potatoes and a double discharge system that allows flexible sorting in a single pass.”
The Mooij family is the first on the North American continent to invest in a new machine that comes from the other side of the world. Integrating the optical sorter into the existing sorting line was another point that had to be carefully considered. “The service and support we received during the purchase process was excellent. With the help of the experienced people at Tolsma-Grisnich, the Optica Q was perfectly integrated into our existing sorting line.
We knew we would be the first to use the Optica Q in North America and that was exciting. From day one, we have had great support from Tolsma-Grisnich. The machine is user-friendly and easy to operate thanks to the clear, intuitive interface. The Optica Q also has a number of features that are not found in other optical sorters on the market, and these have worked very well for us. Overall, we are very happy with our decision.”
The delivery and installation of the Optica Q went well, with a few challenges to overcome. Many seed potatoes have already been processed with the optical sorter. Creek Side Potatoes is very pleased with the technical support during installation, but also during daily use: “With the help of the Tolsma-Grisnich customer service people - experts in the Optica Q - we were able to get started quickly. Of course we faced a few challenges (as with any new machine), but the team responded quickly and were always ready to help. The specialists can even log in to our machine remotely from the Netherlands or from their new local office in Alberta, which gives us peace of mind and ensures that everything continues to run smoothly.”
After the sorting season, the balance can be drawn up. Has the Optica Q lived up to the Mooij family's expectations? “The Optica Q saves us both work and time. Previously, 4-5 people were needed to do the sorting. Now we can do it with just one person in the inspection room, who occasionally takes out a few, while we sort up to 20 metric tons of seed potatoes per hour.”
Even in our first season, we have already seen great improvements in efficiency. The machine stays up-to-date with the latest software from Optica Q units around the world, so we are always working with the best possible version. If we run into a difficult batch, we can work with the Tolsma-Grisnich support team by sending sample photos directly from the machine. These are then used to refine the software and we get an update quickly. That way we don’t lose any time and can keep going. The Optica Q is an excellent quality grader, but it also gives us the ability to separate undersized potatoes from clods, stones and other abnormal grades - all in one go, if we want.”
With the Optica Q, Creek Side Potatoes are confident that they are ready for an efficient future of grading, so that they can continue to deliver high-quality seed potatoes.
Curious about what the Optica Q can do for your seed, table or onion potatoes? Contact one of our local specialists for more information!