Eqraft designs, builds, and maintains smart factories. With their 40-year legacy in the industry, the Dutch machine builder offers turn-key solutions for high-volume grading, weighing, and packing, helping agri factories worldwide to overcome daily challenges. And with their new premises on American soil, Eqraft is ready for the future.
Recent years have underlined the importance of adaptability for any business. As agricultural enterprises grow in size, competition is becoming increasingly intense. Additionally, increasingly unpredictable weather circumstances around the world pose a new challenge for agricultural entrepreneurs, making it more difficult to keep quality consistent. That’s why Dutch tech company Eqraft believes building a flexible business model is crucial. Rutger Keurhorst, Director Commerce at Eqraft: ‘Adaptibility can be reached, for example, by choosing optical grading, flexible weighing and packing solutions, and fully automated bin handling.’ He goes on to explain: ‘Supermarkets and wholesalers may choose to purchase only electronically graded produce: it serves as a guarantee of quality. The same goes for a flexible packing line: more luxurious consumer packs are increasingly popular. And with automated bin handling solutions, error-prone and often unsafe forklifts become redundant.’ Eqrafts aims to be a one-stop-shop for agricultural factories with a future-forward mentality.
From topping to grading and packing
The Dutch machine builder draws on a broad depth of knowledge and practical experience gathered over the past decades. Initially established in the 80s in Flevoland, a province in the north of the Netherlands, Eqraft started out as a repair and construction business for agricultural equipment. They quickly gained recognition with their closed onion topper, which proved to be a success and remains part of their portfolio until this day, with some clients still using the onion topper from those early days. Later on, Eqraft expanded their product line to include other types of machines, too: from grading to weighing, packing and labeling. Over time, mechanical solutions evolved into high-tech systems and the company’s role transitioned into that of a comprehenisve supplier for agri factories. Eqraft serves clients across the globe, from Europe to the U.S., catering to various sectors, including onions, potatoes, and bulk products. While machines are customized for different product types, the core technology always does the same: helping clients meet and exceed expectations when it comes to grading, packing, and delivering.
Integral approach
Working closely together with their clients, Eqraft always examines the entire production process before supplying a new machine line. That way, they ensure a swift return on investment. The engineering team designs grading, weighing, and packing lines, while experienced mechanics make sure machines are assembled, installed, tested, and calibrated on-site. For factory owners and managers, overseeing the installation of new equipment can be a stressful task, especially when day-to-day business operations demand attention. Eqraft’s experienced project managers ensure that every aspect of the process is meticulously coordinated. Following installation, the support team provides seamless online monitoring. Additionally, the company’s international network of service engineers ensures prompt and efficient assistance whenever help, maintenance, or spare parts are required.
A branch on American soil
In recent years, Eqraft has grown rapidly, both in the number of projects and new employees. This continuous growth lead to a brand new headquarters, which opened earlier this year in Emmeloord, the Netherlands. Founding Eqraft Inc and having permanent representation in the United States was a logical next step. That’s why as from August 2024, Eqraft has their own service center in Tri-Cities, Washington. As the agricultural industry evolves, Eqraft continues to innovate, offering comprehensive and technologically advanced solutions for weighing, packing and more. With their new US presence, they’re fully equipped to meet the growing demands of modern agri-factories worldwide. Keurhorst sums it all up by saying: ‘Whatever your next step is, we can help you be ready for anything. Together, we’ll keep realizing the Factory of the Future.’
