Cold Storage Jacobs
When the brothers took over the company more than twenty years ago, it was still partly about arable farming. However, external factors – such as diseases in rented plots – made it clear that further scaling up of cultivation is not always the best way forward. The focus therefore shifted to storage and trans-shipment for third parties. Today, the core business is the storage of seed potatoes and onions, the cutting of oversized seed potatoes and the drying of grass seed.
The ambition
In 2022, all activities were brought together at a single location, which made things a lot easier. “Less transport, less driving and much more efficient working,” says Corné. This kind of continuity is necessary because the work requires flexibility. “Cutting seed potatoes is completely dependent on the weather and planting time,” explains John. “You have to be able to adapt quickly.”
Labour plays a major role in this. “Staff are scarce,” says Corné. “Together with one permanent employee, we do everything ourselves.” For Cold Storage Jacobs, automation is therefore not a luxury, but a prerequisite for keeping the work manageable and ensuring quality.
The challenge
Five years ago, Cold Storage Jacobs started the business of cutting seed potatoes. What began as largely manual work was gradually automated. In 2021, VHM Machinery came into the picture, first with a MonoFilr and shortly afterwards with a TwinFilr. “Capacity and throughput were decisive factors,” says Corné. “Unloading lorries without downtime really makes a difference.”
The line was gradually expanded with a second TwinFilr and modular stackers until ultimately evolving into a fully automatic box logistics around the cutting process. “There was no need to do everything at once,” says John. “We wanted to expand when it was necessary.”
“VHM’s machines are robust and well designed. That makes all the difference in our day-to-day work.”
About Cold Storage Jacobs
Cold Storage Jacobs is a family business in Steenbergen, founded in 1958. Since 1965, the company has specialised in the storage of agricultural products, with a strong focus on seed and consumption potatoes. The day-to-day management is in the hands of brothers Corné and John Jacobs. The company manages approximately 6,000 boxes and operates entirely from one central location. Its activities consist of potato and onion storage, cutting of oversized seed potatoes and drying grass seed. Cold Storage Jacobs is known for its no-nonsense approach, flexibility and focus on quality and reliability.
The solution
The automated crate logistics surrounding the cutting process now form the heart of the operation. VHM’s Fully Automatic Street consists of a combination of a Stackr, a Turnr with EvenFlow, a BoxFilr, and another Stackr. This line is used to empty the boxes (Turnr + EvenFlow), cut the potatoes (MCR), and refill the same boxes with the BoxFilr.
Working in tandem with the MCR Machinery cutting line, the VHM machines ensure smooth throughput. In this stable and well-organised process, the potatoes are filled into boxes and stacked immediately after cutting. This setup has significantly increased capacity without adding extra complexity. “But even more important than capacity is peace of mind,” says John. “Knowing that the process is running smoothly.”
The brothers are clear about VHM: “Solid machines, well designed and reliable,” says Corné. Just as important are collaboration and support. “VHM understand what we are about, listen carefully and can monitor and log in remotely,” adds John. “That builds trust.”
The modular design of the line makes the system flexible and future-proof. “We can continue to expand when it suits us,” says Corné.
The Result
With this setup, capacity has increased significantly without making the process more complex. Where previously a great deal of manual work and forklift movements were required, the process now runs in a controlled and predictable way. “Stability in the process is more important to us than maximum capacity,” says John. “Knowing everything is running as it should.”
The brothers are therefore looking ahead with confidence. “The market remains volatile,” says John. “But we can adapt. And that is very reassuring.” Their advice to fellow entrepreneurs: “Do not just look at the cost. If you can rely on your machines and your partner, it always pays off.”
We use the following machines:
-
TwinFilr
Robust high-capacity box filler for continuous filling process and product-friendly filling of boxes and big bags by weight. -
Fully Automatic BoxFilr
Modular box filling station for continuous filling by weight. With automatic box stacking and destacking. -
Fully Automatic Turnr + EvenFlow
Effective emptying of boxes with continuous product output, in combination with automated box discharge.
