Mechanization and Expansion of Internal Logistics

Nature’s Pride is a wholesaler of exotic fruits and vegetables, supplying trade companies and retailers in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe. The company is a market leader in the ripe avocado segment and is known for its innovative approach to ripening and shelf-life extension, including the use of Apeel’s plant-based protective coating.

Due to increasing demand for ripe fruit and continuous business growth, Nature’s Pride needed to expand its production capacity and logistics infrastructure. To accommodate this, the company decided to extend its recently completed 22,000 m² facility with an advanced mechanization solution.

The Challenge

Nature’s Pride faced several logistical challenges:

Limited space: Growing demand for ripe avocados required additional storage for raw materials, finished products, and packaging materials. Additional sorting and packaging lines were also needed.

Efficiency and cost pressure: The need to optimize cost efficiency and labor shortages called for an automated solution to reduce manual labor and increase productivity.

Integration with existing operations: The new expansion had to seamlessly integrate with current logistics processes while considering future growth.

Layout obstacles: The access ramp to the rooftop parking area presented a physical challenge for internal material flows.

The Approach (Solution & Process)

To address these challenges, an advanced mechanization and automation solution was designed and implemented. The core components of this solution included:

Robotic pick & place for avocados Delta robots integrated with a state-of-the-art sorting machine featuring the latest sorting technology.

Fully automated pallet warehouse Direct pallet input and scanning for suitability. A 3D-shuttle storage system with 2,000 pallet spaces for finished products and a separate warehouse with 1,000 pallet spaces for packaging materials.

Automatic layer stacker This installation, directly connected to the automated pallet warehouse, picks up complete layers to create new pallets using vacuum-based layer picking.

Robotic palletizers High-capacity robotic palletizers for packed goods in crates and boxes, including internal pallet transport.

Design and Project Management

We played a crucial role in designing and implementing this expansion. Key activities included:

Logistics input for facility design Ensuring an efficient integration of inbound and outbound flows. Planning for future growth while maintaining operational efficiency.

Automation design Specifying mechanization solutions and preparing RFQ documentation. Managing the procurement process with various system integrators.

Project management Coordinating detailed engineering and collaborating with the selected supplier. Overseeing installation and commissioning, including safety and maintenance planning.

Results & Impact

Thanks to the expansion and mechanization, Nature’s Pride has achieved:

A future-proof supply chain, combining growth and efficiency.

Increased productivity and reduced labor costs through robotics and automation.

Seamless integration between existing and new infrastructure, despite physical layout challenges.

A sustainable and efficient logistics system that ensures reliable and high-quality fruit delivery.

Conclusion and Next Steps

With this expansion and automation, Nature’s Pride continues to lead the exotic fruit and vegetable market. The company’s innovative approach and efficient supply chain enable it to adapt to future growth and technological advancements.