Agracool & VDH, A Complete Solution for Sustainable and Efficient Storage Processes!

Rob Plaat grew up in a family business active in three sectors of the fruit industry: fruit growing, trading, and storage. From a young age, he became involved in the family business. With extensive experience in the fruit industry, Rob was eager to expand his knowledge in other fields and chose to study business administration. Entrepreneurship appealed to him, and when opportunities arose to start his own business in the fruit sector, he seized them with both hands.

Ten years ago, as a skilled specialist, Rob founded his company, Agracool. His network brings together more than 35 years of experience in post-harvest consultancy.

You’ll Reap the “Fruits”

VDH Products provides the technology, while Agracool brings the expertise in fruit storage. It’s a partnership from which you can quite literally “reap the fruits.”

Visit us from October 30 to November 1 at AgroWorld in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and discover how to improve your fruit storage results. You can find us at the Netherlands pavilion, where you can learn more about our innovative solutions and how we can help optimize your storage processes.

• Less Product Waste: By optimizing storage conditions, you reduce fruit waste, leading to increased revenue.
• Higher Quality: Your fruit will reach the market or store in top condition, resulting in higher returns per kilogram.
• Energy Savings: Utilize intelligent control technology, proper insulation, and renewable energy, allowing you to reduce energy costs by up to 30%.      

                                                               
Better Quality, Higher Yield

Rob Plaat says about fruit storage:

“Cooling products is something anyone can do. But fruit is a sensitive product. Storage is not just about the right temperature; humidity, oxygen, and CO2 levels in the storage room are just as important as temperature.”

Creating the optimal climate in storage leads to better quality fruit.

“The fruit stays crisp, doesn’t dry out, and doesn’t brown on the inside.”

The benefit: a higher yield, both in kilograms and, therefore, a larger profit margin.

Reducing Energy Costs

More efficient storage can lead to significant cost savings, especially in terms of energy.

“Recently, I managed a project where we reduced energy costs by 30%, saving over 50,000 euros annually. This meant the investment was recouped in a short time.”

Additionally, the use of renewable energy offers interesting cost-saving opportunities.

“For a new construction project, I advise entrepreneurs at the design stage to consider sustainable solutions. For example, I recommend investing in a solid roof structure suitable for solar panels. Agracool prefers to be involved from the very beginning of a new construction project, so we can advise on energy-efficient and sustainable construction and storage methods in time.”

 
Agracool’s Consulting Services 

• New Construction Projects: Are you building a new facility for fruit storage? Agracool guides you from blueprint to completion.
• Installations: What is the best system for cooling, ventilation, or Controlled Atmosphere? Agracool works with you to find the optimal solution.
• Control Systems:  How do you optimally manage the systems in your cold storage rooms? Rob Plaat is your guide through the software and helps you select the best storage regimes.

Knowledge of Cultivation and Harvesting

The installation and control system are essential, but successful storage requires more.

“You need to know what happened during the product’s growth process and harvest.”

The condition of the fruit before it enters the cooling process also affects the final product.

As my father used to say:

“A storage room isn’t a hospital, we can’t make the fruit better.”

Key factors include the fruit's mineral composition and the timing of the harvest.

“You can’t store pears harvested at the end of September for a whole year. They are too ripe, picked too late for that.”

VDH: From Supplier to Knowledge Partner

Jacco Smid, Sales Manager at VDH Products, is pleased with the collaboration with Agracool, led by Rob Plaat.

“At VDH, we aim to help our customers achieve optimal fruit quality. We do this by providing high-quality measuring and control equipment, as well as sharing valuable knowledge and experience in fruit storage.

Agracool offers independent expert advice to enhance the storage process, tailored to the specific needs of different fruit types. Our partnership is a blend of innovative technology and practical expertise, enabling our customers to improve the quality of fruit for consumers and reduce waste.”