Geek+ and Hessing Revolutionize Food Logistics with Robotics

The Customer

Hessing Supervers has been a trusted name in fresh produce processing for over 50 years. Specializing in ready-to-cook vegetables, processed fruits, and meal salads, Hessing supplies retail chains, fast-food outlets, and inflight caterers across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark. Handling millions of packages weekly, the company sought to modernize operations to keep pace with growing demand and maintain its commitment to freshness and quality.

The Challenge

Operating in the highly competitive fresh food market, Hessing faced several operational challenges:

• Complex Workflow Management: Their Greenport Venlo site required seamless coordination across washing, mixing, and packaging zones.
• Time Sensitivity: With fresh produce having limited shelf life, delays in processing and distribution could lead to increased food waste and cost inefficiencies.
• Scalability Needs: Rising demand for pre-packaged fruits and vegetables necessitated a logistics solution capable of efficient scaling.
• Employee Safety and Productivity: Managing a three-story facility posed increased risks and physical demands on employees.

Our Solution

Hessing turned to Geek+ to implement a state-of-the-art logistics system designed to meet these challenges head-on. Key features of the solution included:

• 112 Geek+ M200 Robots: These autonomous mobile robots connected distinct processing areas and ensured seamless movement of goods across floors.
• AI-Driven Fleet Management: Utilizing advanced algorithms, the central AI monitored hundreds of robots simultaneously to optimize routes, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure peak performance.
• 3D Obstacle Detection: Robots were equipped with sensors to identify and safely bypass obstacles, maintaining the highest safety standards for employees and products.
• Three-Story Operation Integration: The AMRs operated on multiple levels, ensuring end-to-end coverage of the distribution process while optimizing vertical space utilization.
• Streamlined Food Processing Workflow: The system enabled faster transitions between washing, mixing, and packaging stations, minimizing hold-ups and preserving the freshness of produce.

The Geekplus impact

The new system delivered outstanding results for Hessing, including:

• Efficiency Gains: Robots transformed workflow efficiency, enabling faster processing times and timely produce delivery.
• Reduced Food Waste: The intelligence-driven logistics minimized delays, ensuring higher percentages of products reached consumers in peak condition.
• Fresher Produce: Accelerated movements through the supply chain enabled retailers to enjoy longer product shelf lives.
• Enhanced Safety and Productivity: Employees reported improved working conditions due to reduced physical strain and optimized facility operations.
• Scaled Operations: The innovative system positioned Hessing to expand its operations in response to rising demand without adding logistical bottlenecks.

“By automating our distribution center with Geek+’s moving solutions, we’ve made our ‘factory of the future’ vision a reality. We now bring healthier food to consumers faster and with less waste—an achievement we are truly proud of.”

Hans Hessing, Director Center of Excellence, Hessing Supervers

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