Supplying to both overseas clients and close to home supermarket chains, Wiskerke Onions needed a solution that can flexibly switch between big bags and small packaging.

Wiskerke Onions is responsible for a large part of the Dutch onion export. The family business ships their onions to 125 different countries as well as supermarkets close to home. International export usually requires packing onions in big bags, while retail clients demand small packaging. That’s why Wiskerke needed a flexible packing line that can do both.

Having started in 1933, Wiskerke has four generations worth of experience in processing onions. The collaboration with Eqraft goes back a long way: for three decades, Wiskerke has been using Eqraft machinery, from solutions for receiving, cleaning, and topping onions to bunkers, sorters, and packing machines. Their factory currently boasts five combination scales, several Baxmatics, roll stock baggers, crate fillers, and a double big bag filler.

Bob Salm, head of technical services at Wiskerke, is happy with the choice. ‘Eqraft machines are very reliable: they always keep running. We’re still using the same onion toppers we bought in 1993.’ He adds: ‘The support engineers know how important continuity is for our business. That’s why they solve problems quickly and efficiently.’

After processing 12 million bags with their Baxmatic in just 5,5 years, the newest addition to Wiskerke’s factory is an Exigo combination scale with a new Baxmatic. ‘The choice for the new line was a preventative one,’ says Jaap Wiskerke. As Wiskerke processes large amounts of onions, the Exigo is the perfect solution: it calculates optimum output weight at high speed. The collaboration won’t end here: both parties are looking forward to more projects in the future.