Frozen vegetable processors go for SORTEX K in big way.

For optical sorting of vegetables and fruits, 2007 was the year that the SORTEX K became preferred equipment for many players in the frozen produce industry. Spain loomed as a particularly good market.

Customers include Ultracongelades de Azagra, whose group technical manager, Antonio Baldero, commented: "After trials, we were so pleased with the sort quality and product recovery, that we decided to roll out 15 new SORTEX K machines across all our companies."

Ignacio Viente, maintenance manager of Ultracongelades de Cortes, shortly after the installation of new machines, stated: "We noticed that an important increase in quality of our accept product could be achieved in one pass, saving re-work costs."

Jose Carlos, maintenance manager of Ultracongelades de Duero, commented: "The unit has much reduced maintenance and down time costs. The feature of no moving parts is a huge benefit."

Ultracongelades de Azarbe, which specializes in sorting of peppers, reported that the SORTEX K was the first optical sorter to be able to make grade with green pepper slices and dices in one pass.

In France, Pinguin Aquitaine installed a SORTEX K at its factory in Ychoux for sorting primarily frozen corn and carrots. Pierre Quemeneur, plant manager, stated: "We were the first user in France, and can say that the equipment fulfilled all the claims made by Buhler Sortex. Better quality, better product recovery, excellent shape sorting and profile ejection. The equipment is simple to set up, is stable, and has low cost of ownership."

Sovaleg of Brittany installed a unit for its frozen pea and green bean lines. Manager Serge Lohier stated: "Before we placed an order, we looked at all the optical sorting companies. We decided on SORTEX K in spite of its extra cost. This season has justified the expenditure very quickly."