Bühler presents pioneering foreign material detection technology and introduces new segment leader at Fruit Logistica

Berlin, Germany, will have the opportunity to meet The Bühler Group’s new Segment Development Manager for Fruit & Vegetables in Europe and CIS, Stefano Bonacina and to step inside the SORTEX F – the industry’s most hygienic optical sorting platform for frozen fruit and vegetables.  Available with SORTEX PolarVision™ technology, this system actively targets smaller and difficult-to-detect foreign material (FM) and enables processors to sort their produce hygienically – making it easier to comply with ever stricter safety specifications.

Enthuses Stefano: “Bühler’s optical sorting portfolio, which includes the popular and respected SORTEX K and SORTEX E ranges, provides solutions for all stages of fruit and vegetable processing – from farm to freezer. The addition of the all-new SORTEX F, developed by Bühler’s in-house specialists, using current best-practice and hygenic product design, offers its most advanced hygienic technology to date, with a stainless-steel frame, sloped surfaces, hygienic conduits, and hygienic grade fixings. This unrivalled machine, with zero tolerance for product build-up, minimises the risk of contamination.”

He adds that SORTEX PolarVision™ technology, available on the SORTEX F and the SORTEX E, is a sophisticated FM detection system, capable of delivering outstanding results, across a wide variety of frozen produce – from single products, such as peas or raspberries, to complex vegetable or fruit mixes. It uses a combination of sophisticated technologies, developed in response to industry demands for an advanced solution to tackle hazardous and problematic FM, including snails, dark and light plastics, wood, cardboard, cigarette ends, glass and stone.

Stefano, whose experience in the fruit and vegetable industry spans 29 years – 18 of those with Bühler – started his career in fruit and vegetable packaging. Before stepping into his current role, he was Bühler’s Sales Manager for Italy, with responsibility and a great track record in sales of optical sorters, across various industry sectors, including fruit & vegetable processing businesses. He also successfully managed the team of service engineers in Italy, to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. He will be joined on the Bühler stand by regional specialists from Poland, Benelux, Austria and the UK.

Now, in his new role, Stefano is planning to build on Bühler’s leading position in the fruit and vegetable processing market, by building even stronger and closer partnerships with key accounts, while also working on forging new relationships.

He says: “I’ll be looking to recognise and understand new market trends and how Bühler can help customers capitalise on the opportunities these trends bring. It will also be important for me to build strong and trusting relationships across the sales network to drive consistent business growth.”

Visitors to Fruit Logistica can find Buhler in Hall 8.1, stand B-24.