Ulma packaging has supplied an Atlanta Hi-tech flow-packaging machine fitted with a Dakota automatic in-feed system to tomato and cucumber growers, John Baarda.

Ulma's Uk managing director Derek Paterson said: 'The Atlanta's electronic control gives it the highest possible versatility and flexibility in product changes and it also incorporates perfect dynamics as far as machine movements are concerned.

'The machined needed to have a special in-feed system so it could weigh, sort and space vine tomatoes in punnets – and achieve speeds of up to 80 packs a minute, so the Dakota was incorporated.' David Baarda added: 'We have been producing a range of tomatoes and cucumbers for more than 60 years but we needed something special for the vine-grown ones.

'The Atlanta is running exactly to expectations, and that is something you can't put a value on. It is one of the best pieces of equipment ever introduced into our packhouse – and we have quite a few as we move more and more towards mechanisation.'

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