Our story: from onion topper to turn key factories
At Eqraft we design, build, and maintain smart factories. That’s no easy task: the agri industry demands ever higher standards. The last couple of years have been especially challenging, forcing us to critically assess ourselves. Now more than ever, we’re ready for the future.
Managing a factory is a complex job. In recent years, supply chain issues, travel restrictions, and changing weather conditions have complicated our everyday work. At the same time, large-scale buyers put mounting pressure on factories, competition is fierce, and scaling is a prerequisite. Our aim is to help clients meet and exceed expectations when it comes to grading, packing, and delivering produce. Thanks to almost 40 years of experience, Eqraft knows the agricultural sector from the inside out. Our goal is to increase our clients’ performance, efficiency, and continuity. We ensure that you stay ahead of competition, improve your overall margin, and save time for the things that matter most.
How we started
Our legacy dates back to 1984, when Emmeloord Repair and Construction (ERC) was founded in the Netherlands. ERC developed the closed onion topper, which turned out to be a great success. Later, weighing and packing machines were added to the portfolio. Over the years, high-tech machinery replaced simple mechanics and the machine builder’s role gradually changed to that of an integral supplier for factories. In 2017, the company merged with Qreenno and Propak and continued as Eqraft. Since this rebranding, we’ve been focusing on what we do best: not only supplying state-of-the-art machines but also offering our guidance throughout the whole process.
Comprehensive approach
Together with our customers, we analyze the entire production process to guarantee a quick return on investment. We design and assemble the production line, and our mechanics ensure that machines are tested, calibrated, and properly running on site. Managing the installation of new machines can be a rather stressful process for factory owners and managers – especially if you have a business to manage in the meantime. Our experienced project managers make sure all aspects of the process are perfectly aligned. After the installation, our support team can easily perform online monitoring. Our international network of service engineers guarantees rapid and effective response when help, maintenance or spare parts are needed.
At Eqraft, there is a strong sense of belonging. Several colleagues built long-lasting careers of continued growth and learning. Thanks to their punctuality, broad technical expertise, and open-mindedness, Eqraft became the company it is today: an internationally renowned builder of agricultural factories.
“We’re very grateful to our partners and colleagues for their trust”
Overcoming obstacles
Mentioning only our successes wouldn’t be right, because growing means facing challenges. In 2019, the company that started in the eighties unfortunately went bankrupt. Eqraft’s current management acquired the bankruptcy estate with Proqraft BV and continued with Eqraft as its trade name. Engineering, software development, project management, buying, production, and service are now located in Emmeloord, the Netherlands, led by Marcel Kampes as General Manager. From the other location in Goes, Rutger Keurhorst takes on the role of Commercial Manager and is in charge of consulting, project engineering, sales, and marketing. ‘It’s been hard, but I do believe the bankruptcy has raised awareness among us internally about the things that needed improvement,’ says Rutger. ‘We’ve optimized our systems and procedures – for example, we’ve improved our standardized solutions so we can ensure faster and more reliable delivery times.’
After the takeover, Eqraft’s team – including the entire management and employees who were involved from the very beginning, as well as new colleagues – worked hard to deliver machines and realize new processing lines for our customers. Despite some delays, they managed to finish the projects they were working on thanks to a joint effort. ‘We’re very grateful to our partners and colleagues for their trust and contributions to the fresh start of Eqraft,’ Rutger concludes.
Embracing change
The pandemic made matters even more complex. ‘Travel restrictions, increasingly expensive raw materials, and long delivery times – everything was uncertain,’ Rutger recalls. ‘We saw some clients struggle while others flourished, depending on which market they served: large packaging for the hospitality industry gave way to small packaging for supermarkets – a trend I think will continue in the near future.’ Moreover, he admits missing face-to-face contact with clients during fairs and live meetings. ‘A lot can be arranged virtually, but nothing beats a real conversation.’
The last years have shown just how crucial it is to be able to embrace change. Agricultural businesses are getting larger and larger, increasing competition. And with weather conditions all over the planet becoming more extreme, it’s hard to maintain a constant quality. That’s why it’s so important to build a flexible business, for example through optical sorting. Rutger: ‘Supermarkets can decide to purchase electronically graded produce only; it’s a quality guarantee.’ Whatever your next step is, we can help you be ready for anything. Together, we’ll keep realizing the Factory of the Future.