Until recently, orchids still rolled off the conveyor belt, but when Concorde Plants in Honselersdijk made the switch to spathiphyllum, that was exactly one of the points where the internal logistics needed an update. The old WPS system needed to be updated, or rather, replaced. A job for the guys from Opti Systems, who are currently putting the finishing touches to it.
Wojciech Grabowski in front of the buffer system in the greenhouse at Concorde Plants.
We spoke to Wojciech Grabowski on-site and Rick van der Tang over the phone, both owners of this still relatively new player in the market (we spoke to them about it before; see here). Initially, the grower hoped to continue with the existing system, but because it would require so much maintenance, it was eventually decided to go for an entirely new delivery system.
Plants are put on the belt by a robot and run through the photo booth.
Now, all handling runs over Opti Systems’ internal transport system. When the plants are ready to be delivered, a robot puts them on the belt towards the buffer. They then pass through a photo booth – a piece of technology realized in collaboration with Marcel de Visser of DV Automation – and are assessed for external characteristics. Using smart software, numerous gradings can be made, with (as is customary in spathiphyllum) the number of flowers being the main distinguishing category. Next, the plants enter the buffer, which has 30 belts.
Plants on their way from the photo booth to the buffer.
Plenty of space
Wojciech: “The buffer now accommodates 1380 plants, and with the current system, 40,000 plants can be shipped per week. At least, that was the customer’s requirement, but we have far exceeded it. Where they thought they would need five long days, they now process 10,000 on a normal working day and are usually finished by Friday afternoon.”
Challenges
For Opti Systems, it was the first time that camera technology had been integrated into their own system. Moreover, HT Verboom had to slightly convert the container system to make sure the delivery of the plants from the tables onto Opti Systems’ conveyor belt went smoothly. Also, installing the new system and continue the work in the greenhouse where 40.000 plants oer wee jare placed, was a challenge. Finally, the plants have to be spaced once during cultivation. At that point, the plants are brought to the front, placed on a belt by a robot, and then again assessed by a camera system. Two grades are made here, after which an employee also removes any (prematurely emerged) flowers. The plants are then placed back on benches by the robot and returned to the greenhouse. Rick and Wojciech also realized this part of the internal transport of the plants in collaboration with DV Automation.
Plants are spaced fully automatically.
On a roll
At the moment, the final touches are being made to the system and then Concorde Plants’ internal process will be running smoothly for decades to come.
For more information:
Opti Systems bv 
Vlotlaan 336
2681 TV, Monster
Tel.: +31 (0)6 42706618
Tel.: +31 (0)6 17206426
[email protected]
www.optisystems.nl
Concorde Plants B.V. 
Mariëndijk 32b
2675 SW, Honselersdijk
Tel.: +31(0)174 626 222
[email protected]
www.concordeplants.nl