Scholtens Luttelgeest
Within the family business everyone has a clear role. Daniël focuses on the potato crops, Niels on the other crops. “It’s all about being able to switch quickly when needed,” says Daniël. “Whether it’s new machines, new crops or better box logistics, we seize the opportunities whenever they arise.”
The ambition
There is a deep-rooted drive for innovation at Scholtens. “We try to be among the first to adopt new technologies,” Daniël explains. “Not necessarily the very first, but certainly not the last either. Optical sorting, spot spraying, autonomous tractors: these are investments that pay off. As labour becomes scarcer, we simply need to make the work easier and more efficient.”
That is why there is also a strong focus on automation in post-harvest processing. “We spend about half the year in the barn, sorting, storing and loading,” says Niels. “That’s when you need things to run smoothly. Thanks to the VHM machines, we can keep doing all this with the same people and do it faster too.”
The challenge
Our first contact with VHM dates back many years. Bennie: “Our first VHM machine was a Scrapr—and it’s still going strong!” As labor becomes increasingly scarce and potato processing must become more efficient, Scholtens sought ways to further automate crate logistics. Flexibility was a key requirement. The solution had to be optimally deployable both during harvest and in the winter months.
“Anyone can work with the VHM machines, they are really user-friendly.”
About Scholtens Luttelgeest
Scholtens Luttelgeest is a modern arable farm with solid roots in the Northeast Polder. Since 1950, several generations of Scholtens have worked here growing seed potatoes, onions, chicory and sugar beets, among other things. The company now covers 400 hectares, 60% of which it owns. Daily management is in the hands of nephews Daniël and Niels Scholtens, along with their fathers Bennie and Marcel. Scholtens consciously chooses scaling up, automation and sustainable innovations. The company largely delivers directly to trading houses and cooperatives at home and abroad and is known for its pragmatic approach, committed employees and drive for innovation.
The solution
The BigBagFilrPro was introduced in 2023. This was followed by a major advancement: the Fully Automatic BoxFilr. A year later, the system was expanded with the EvenFlow, featuring RollCleanr, Turnr, Track, the elevated Stackr, and the lift.
Niels: “That line has really become the heart of our box logistics. Full boxes in, full boxes out. We use it during harvest, but also in the winter for sorting. Thanks to its modular design, we can expand or adapt it depending on the season. For example, we deliberately chose a raised Stackr, which allows us to create an extra buffer of full boxes during harvest. This makes everything run more smoothly and prevents the entire process from grinding to a halt.”
When asked about VHM, the men are clear: “Robust machines, good service, and short lines of communication.” Niels adds: “You call, and you get someone on the line who knows what they are talking about. No middlemen, just immediate support. And most issues are solved within five minutes.”
Bennie sees this as part of VHM’s culture: “They are truly hands-on – no fuss, just get it done. Everyone at VHM has the same goal: to deliver good machines that simply do what they are meant to do.”
The Result
The advantages are clear: fewer forklift movements, better flow and more peace of mind. “What used to take two forklifts and two people, can now be done by one person. The machine supports you and adapts to your way of working,” says Daniël.
Thanks to their modular design, the machines can be easily adapted to the tasks at hand. This allows Scholtens to get more work done with the same number of people and makes optimal use of available capacity during both the harvest and the winter months.
The family is optimistic about the future. Bennie: “In five years’ time, we will have our first autonomous tractors out in the field. For simple jobs like loosening the soil, it is already possible.” Daniël and Niels agree: “It is all about working smarter. Getting more done with the same number of people, while maintaining the quality of our products. The right machines help us achieve that. VHM helps us get ready for the future.”
“I’m curious about what the future will bring. We’re undertaking all kinds of activities in the field of sustainability. For example, we have solar panels, a windmill and crop storage which uses less energy than ever before. Performance is high, thanks to the many machines. In addition, the margin of error is low, and maintenance is nil. I’m very satisfied. Organic growth is fine with me, but I really don’t need to double in size anymore.”
