Sjoerd van Diepen, technical sales advisor for Netherlands-based Modesta, is boots-on-the-ground in Washington’s Tri-Cities area for the next few months.
Working with father-son team Larry and Kerrick Bauman at Target Ag in Othello, van Diepen and Modesta are installing a new chain filter to provide dust extraction and support the topping, grading and packing processes at the facility.
Sjoerd said, “No one likes onion skins, leaves, and dust. A clean working environment makes happy workers and good performance of high-tech equipment. And what’s more: retailers and consumers pay a premium for clean onions.”
During the next two months van Diepen will be working and living in North America “to meet with new and existing clients and keep an eye on various Modesta projects that are currently being installed,” a Modesta release said.
In Othello, the Baumans opted for their new Modesta chain filter about a year ago, and the new system is currently being installed. It “will lead to total dust extraction capacity of 110 000 m3/hr (65 000 cfm) to support the topping, grading, and packing processes at Target Ag,” the release said. It also noted, “Modesta actively contributes to a cleaner product by removing onion skins, which allows Target AG to appeal to a larger client base.”
The release continued, “The Baumans’ decision to invest in a durable dust extraction solution is in line with recent HSE developments: food safety regulations are becoming increasingly strict and awareness about the importance of a healthy working environment is rising. Modesta’s enclosed waste scraper conveyors ensure a clean factory floor, free of dust or onion skins.”
Also, Blue Sky Onions in Royal City, WA, has invested in high-tech equipment for sorting and packing onions in recent months. “Modesta’s advanced dust extraction system and processing of onion waste is crucial for the proper functioning of sensors, camera technology and mechanical parts. This project will also go live before the start of the new onion season,” the release said.
“I look forward to meeting onion growers/packers of all shapes and sizes in North America,” said Sjoerd, who will be living in Tri-Cities with his wife and their six-year-old twins until June 19.
The release commented, “Sjoerd is a true veteran when it comes to the agri business: he has over 10 years of experience in three different onion processing companies.”
And it concluded, “Target AG and Blue Sky Onions follow the lead of onion growers/packers Baker & Murakami in Oregon, Big O Farms in New York and Bybee Farms in Washington to ensure clean, safe and healthy onions and facilities. Sjoerd emphasizes that Modesta does not only serve the larger projects. ‘Our range of dust extraction filters starts at 5 100 m3/hour (3 000 cfm) so feel free to reach out!’ he said.”
For all the latest Modesta updates, go to Updates — Modesta Filters | Empowering clean air
