Interko installs cutting-edge ripening rooms worldwide

INTERKO, the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, has completed further installations worldwide which are successfully delivering significant operational and environmental benefits to their operators.

This year, Interko has installed cutting-edge rooms in the Netherlands, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina for various well-known and important fruit retailers, importers and distributors who wish to cut their operational costs, reduce energy consumption and minimise product loss, while improving product quality, finish and shelf-life.

The Dutch company is looking forward to sharing its progress with visitors to Fruit Attraction 2021 on 5-7 October 2021. The popular trade show returns to IFEMA in Madrid, Spain, where Interko is exhibiting in Hall 10 on Stand 10C09C. Managing Director/Partner Chris Maat and Project Manager Narcís Guinart, who both speak Spanish, will attend. Visitors can schedule an appointment by emailing info@interko.com.

Interko Managing Director/Partner Chris Maat explains:

“Our most recent installations will interest a lot of companies in the fresh produce world in terms of understanding the widespread benefits being reaped by the operators. It’s been a long time since we have been able to meet customers face-to-face, and Fruit Attraction 2021 is the ideal opportunity to explain and demonstrate in-person how other companies could benefit from upgrading their ripening rooms to a market-leading Interko system that’s equipped with our latest innovative technology.”

New Installations

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, this summer Interko installed turn-key Optimo ripening rooms for two companies who ripen avocados. One is an importer-exporter who is re-exporting the fruit across Europe, while the other is supplying directly to French supermarkets.

Maat reveals: 

“Interko is well-known when it comes to traditional banana ripening. However, not all Dutch operators are aware that Interko’s range includes advanced ripening rooms for avocados. We are keen to spread the word because the Netherlands is re-exporting across Europe a significant percentage of its imported avocados, and most of that volume is being ripened first by Dutch distributors.”

Following the installations, one customer is claiming a huge reduction in production loss after a considerable fall in the requirement for re-sorting. Both customers are benefiting from the flexibility offered by Optimo technology.

Maat points out: 

“Interko’s Optimo rooms can be compartmentalised into four zones since each zone has its own cooler and air guidance system. This means you don’t have to fill the entire room if you only want to ripen a smaller load of avocados or other tropical fruits. This is a major benefit because operators can respond quickly to market requirements while supply and demand fluctuates as the avocado industry evolves.”

Latin America

In Mexico, this year Interko has installed eight new Ultimo banana ripening rooms for a leading multinational retail group, as well as two Optimo rooms for Mexican tropical fruit supplier, Frutas Reales.

In Colombia, the Dutch firm has installed four Ultimo ripening rooms for an expanding avocado producer-exporter.

Earlier this year Interko also completed the installation of another six state-of-the-art Ultimo ripening rooms for Don Jaime , a major premium banana distributor in Argentina. The rooms have lowered the company’s operational costs and improved both fruit quality, finish and shelf-life.

About Interko

Interko is the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of cost-effective, high-quality and low-maintenance ripening rooms for fresh fruit, and cooling systems for the horticulture sector. Founded over 50 years ago in the Netherlands, Interko develops precise, advanced and energy-efficient systems that are built to last. Since its creation, Interko has installed over 7,000 ripening rooms for bananas, avocados, mangoes, papayas and tomatoes – the earliest of which are still in operation and performing well today. Every year Interko installs around 200 ripening rooms.