It is rare to think first of internal logistics when building a greenhouse. The greenhouse comes first, then the shed, and often internal logistics come after that. Metazet has a clear strategy. In Wateringen, they have products to optimize the internal logistics, both for new and existing buildings.
As far as internal logistics is concerned, the focus is on saving labor, increasing production, and reducing the workload. Well-known are their various tractors and the hanging basket system, but a special flail conveyor made by Wateringen is also ideally suited to make work easier.
"Such a flail conveyor makes the work a lot easier," said Wilfred Lange. "The system is used for the bulbs in bloom. Those crates easily weigh 25 kilograms." The logistics systems specialist points out that those crates normally stand on the ground. "By moving them over the flail conveyor, people no longer have to bend down. Another advantage is that sorting can be done easily, for example by color. Technically, the system is actually quite simple. It's an air pressure-based system."
Flail conveyor
All over the world
Because of the size of the system, the flail conveyor has not been physically showcased very often at trade shows. You can more easily come across the hanging basket system, both at trade shows and in the field. "We have already sold more than 1,600 of them," he said.
Metazet sells the system as a kit, with instructions. "It is going to destinations all over the world, but is especially popular in North America," says Dolf van der Hoeven. Dolf is the director of logistics at Metazet. "There are growers in Canada who recover the investment in the system within two years, as they need fewer people for the same work. With our system, one person can take three lanes, while six to eight people would be necessary in a system with a fixed tube and a boom lift."
It is possible to lower the hanging basket system at one point, bringing the crop closer to the employee. Inventive growers have also managed to use the system in such a way that employees can cut cuttings from mother plants while these are rotating.
The first step towards automation
Metazet's systems can be fitted directly into new constructions, as well as existing facilities. "For growers, the purchase of a Trike is the first step towards automation," says Dolf.
Metazet supplies the Trike in three variants, depending on the (pulling) power the grower needs. Wilfred points to height differences within nurseries. "This is important especially when working internationally. You have to take that into account. For that reason, we give growers the opportunity to try them before choosing the right model."
Grower in action on a Trike
With or without a driver
While the somewhat smaller growers tend to go for the Trike, Metazet sees large growers betting on automatic internal transport. This can be done with the M-Track, an induction-guided tractor. "Those operating the tractors are usually people with important roles, such as farm managers, and companies may want to assign them other tasks and not have them just driving around on the tractor. The advantage of the M-Track is that it doesn't require a driver."
Metazet takes care of installing the induction lines. First, a route is planned, including intersections, after which the route is drawn in the greenhouse. After this, a 1.5-centimeter saw cut is made in the concrete floor, and then the tractors are provided with a customer-specific program. Fully autonomous driving through the greenhouse is also on the way. Metazet has already brought the NXT-Row twice to GreenTech Amsterdam. This is a platform that can autonomously navigate from lane to lane through the greenhouse and can help with various tasks.
M-Track
In all cases, the grower and Metazet will do the math together to determine the Return On Investment. Wherever labor becomes more expensive, logistics systems that cut labor costs are in demand. "Moreover, you also get more pleasant working conditions for the employees," said Wilfred.
For more information:
Dolf van der Hoeven
Wilfred Lange
Metazet
[email protected]
www.metazet.com