Customer case study

Bell pepper grower Vijverberg seized the opportunity of expanding its business to set up a completely new sorting line. The company found a partner in Gearbox for the development of its idea into a concrete innovation: the EasyX. Sander Boslooper of Vijverberg considers the collaboration a unique aspect of the development process. "Together, we are constantly looking for improvements."

A few years ago, the location in Berkel en Rodenrijs acquired an 11.6-hectare greenhouse from a colleague, expanding the company from 8.4 to 20 hectares. In the run-up to the expansion, Rolf Vijverberg and Sander Boslooper asked themselves what would be needed to automate processes and save labour, in order to grow and sort more efficiently.

The purchased greenhouse was redesigned and modelled on the successful cultivation formula used in the company's own greenhouse. An existing sorting machine was purchased for sorting purposes, with the idea of converting it to meet the requirements of the bell pepper growers.

The initial plan was to submit the request for the machine update to the manufacturer, explains Boslooper. "When we saw the quote, we immediately thought: there must be a better way. We had a solid and reliable basis in the machine, but we wanted to make significant improvements to the software and cameras. We took our vision to Gearbox and asked them if they were interested in taking on the challenge with us. We wanted to develop something that didn't exist yet."

The system development of the EasyX add-on is based on three pillars: more efficient sorting and utilisation of the existing reliable machine as a basis, utilisation of data generated to improve quality, and utilisation of data to gain insight into the challenges in cultivation. At the peak of the season, Vijverberg had 6 to 8 people working on the sorting belt for sorting. This can be done more efficiently through automation, says Boslooper.

In addition, the data generated by the computer is used to improve quality. People can make mistakes, according to the grower. "We want to use the data to reduce those mistakes; to have fewer second and third grade bell peppers. We work with a path registration system that is linked to EasyX. This allows us to trace exactly who cut which bell peppers at what time and location. We can use the data to train staff, which means we have less damage to the bell peppers. This makes a huge improvement."

The EasyX can also help to gain insight into cultivation challenges. Take aphids, says Boslooper, one of the biggest challenges in cultivation. "The EasyX photographs every bell pepper on the conveyor belt: it immediately recognises aphid damage. The data tells us exactly which path the fruit was harvested on, allowing you to intervene more quickly. You become more proactive in combating diseases and pests and have more insight into what is happening in the greenhouse."

Vijverberg has now been working with EasyX for four seasons. Gearbox manages the database and markets the product. The more growers purchase the system, the faster the database is built up and the more efficiently it can be used. Boslooper: "For every defect that is detected, 5,000 unique images are needed for the system to function properly. This means that the model can only be improved through the joint efforts of growers. The starting point is to work together to build something great for the long term. We are already seeing a positive effect from scaling up with other growers."

As mentioned, Vijverberg is very positive about the collaboration with Gearbox. Gearbox takes care of everything, says Boslooper. "The system is not yet perfect; it is still under development. When we report a problem to Gearbox, it is quickly addressed. But perhaps even more important is the collaboration between both parties on the development of the EasyX. We are continuously working together on improvements. That is unique; as a nursery, you don't often get that opportunity."