By Kathleen Thomas Gaspar
With several generations’ experience in onion production passed along to him and more than two decades of onion/garlic equipment distribution across the United States, John Rietveld of Rietveld Equipment is adding a new facet to his service: Equipment and parts on hand, eliminating lag time for manufacturing and moving.
The Illinois-based operation has been distributing Allround equipment for three years and has several installations around the country, and John said having equipment and parts in stock “enables us to get customers serviced in one day.”
With a background in farming, Rietveld understands the need for prompt service. Over the years Rietveld family has grown a wide variety of produce, and today the John Rietveld Farm produces onion sets and sweet corn. In the onion production, John said, Allround topping and grading equipment has been used in the warehouse since the 1970s. The opportunity to distribute Allround, along with Meconaf Dust Extraction and Protec Optical Sorting, gives Rietveld Equipment the ability to offer complete lines to its U.S. customers.
Certified installers and technicians are available 24/7, and the company’s central location in Bourbonnais, IL, just an hour south of Chicago, ensures quick service to virtually every production area in the nation.
Custom design is also part of the service. “We usually go and do a site survey,” John said of designing and assembling a line. The techs go through all specifications with the clients, and then, at no cost, the client is provided with 2D and 3D drawings of the line. “We really like to offer that service,” Rietveld said, noting that the client is under no obligation.
The parts that will be kept in stock are mostly universal – onion toppers, bulk tippers and box fillers. John’s farming background has taught him to ask the basic questions when something breaks: “How can I get the right part, and how fast can I get it?” He said he’s working on the inventory of parts for machines used in the U.S.
“It’s also not difficult for customers to come to the Chicago area to see a machine,” he said.
When asked about any changes in equipment design and construction in recent years, John said Allround has modified its machines for U.S. onions, which are larger than those grown in other areas. And the company’s website, www.rietveldequipment.com, provides a thorough look at equipment available through the Illinois outlet.
“These companies look for new ways to mechanize and provide savings on labor,” the site says. “Rietveld Equipment offers full installation
and service for all the equipment we distribute to the U.S. market. We
specialize in equipment for handling, grading, sorting and cleaning, from
the truck to the final package.”
Check out just of few of the in-stock equipment and parts offered by Rietveld Equipment
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