Prinzen Potatoes
The partnership with VHM goes back many years. Anno was one of the first to purchase a fully automatic VHM machine in the company’s signature orange colour – and he’s been a loyal customer ever since. Today, four VHM modules form the Fully Automatic Modular Box Filling Station System – the heart of their box logistics during harvest: efficient, safe, and gentle on the product. After successfully automating their box logistics, the family decided it was time for the next step in automation: sorting.
The ambition
Sorting seed potatoes is a labour-intensive and costly task. In the past, the potatoes had to be warmed up after cold storage before they could be sorted – a time-consuming step that required lots of forklift movements, energy, and produced unnecessary emissions. At the same time, newer, longer-shaped varieties demand more precise sorting. The Prinzen family wanted an efficient line with higher capacity, less labour, and extra flexibility.
The challenge
The old process involved several steps – warming, transferring, sorting, and cooling again – each requiring extra handling, more people, and the increased risk of quality loss. Anno explains: “You sometimes had to plan two days ahead which batch we wanted to sort. Flexibility was out of the question. And if someone called in sick, we had an acute problem.”
“VHM took charge – and that was crucial to this project’s success.”
About Prinzen Potatoes
Prinzen Potatoes is a family business in Aalten, with over 360 hectares of seed potatoes and 30 hectares of onions. The company is known for its diversity of plots, pragmatic approach and strong family tradition. Three generations work together to deliver top performance every season. Prinzen is at the forefront in investing in new technology – from automatic box logistics to optical sorting – always with an eye on efficiency, sustainability and the future.
The solution
Together with partners Gejo, Bijlsma-Hercules and Jongejans, we realized a new, product-friendly sorting line according to the principle “full boxes in, full boxes out. No bunkers, minimal drop heights and transitions – and heating is no longer necessary. The boxes now function as both stock and buffer.
At the heart of the line is a Gejo optical sorting machine with advanced camera technology, already prepared for AI. It sorts by size and quality with precision and consistency. VHM integrated the complete box handling, and managed the entire project – from initial concept to final delivery, coordinating every partner involved. The result is one smart, integrated system ready for the future.
Bhodi Prinzen: “VHM really made this their project. They kept a clear overview, made concrete agreements, and ensured everyone delivered on time. Without their coordination, this wouldn’t have gone nearly as smoothly.”
The Result
The new sorting line saves labour and forklift movements, reduces energy use, and makes warming unnecessary. The process is now simpler, faster, and much more gentle on the product thanks to minimal drop heights and fewer transfers. At the same time, the line provides enough capacity for future growth – without night shifts or peak pressure on staff. For Anno, that was a must.
With this project, Prinzen took one of the biggest automation steps in the seed potato world. An investment that shows what is possible when technology, vision and cooperation come together.
Anno: “We’re sorting more precisely now, with the same number of people – and a much calmer process. Best of all, we don’t have to warm the potatoes anymore.” Bhodi: “This investment goes far beyond today or tomorrow. It’s a sorting line I can continue building on as the fourth generation.”
Strong roots, smart automation
At Prinzen Potatoes in Aalten, a new state-of-the-art sorting line is now running on the principle: full boxes in, full boxes out. And believe us: it looks impressive! Curious about how it started. Check it out here.
