Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers says its new automated pear packing line features double the defect sorters and pear-protecting specifications.
“The first thing this line is going to prioritize is quality,” Don Reeves, Stemilt’s facility manager, said in a news release. “We’ll have less hands on the fruit and a great cold chain going from the packing line all the way to storing which will help as it gets later in the season. The line’s automation shows potential for adding new varieties because we can increase tonnage with our new sorting technology.”
The pears will run through two automated defect sorting cameras with the ability to flip the pears over in cups for a 360-degree view of the fruit, the release said. Operators can adjust the automatic belted brush beds based on the delicacy of the pears.
“The most automation to be added to the new pear line is the bagging and sorting process,” Reeves said. “Automatic bin fillers are going to help us put fruit back into our controlled atmosphere rooms when packing fresh to order.”
The packing line also features a new bin washer.
Stemilt said the new line is nearly three times the size of its former pear packing line. This added space allows for box mezzanine area and future expansion.
“The more consistent we can make the box opening experience, the better” Reeves said. “The first pears of the year are already running on the new line, and we’re excited to boost quality and freshness for our new Happi Pear and Stemilt Rushing Rivers pears to delight consumers.”
Packed boxes will ride on a conveyor built into cold storage at Stemilt’s Fresh Cube distribution center to quickly cool the fruit.
“The automated pear line is expected to double our capacity,” Reeves said. “Automatic defect sorters, pear-specific belted brush beds, a bin washer and automated baggers are all features that will help create a uniform pack. These elements help us produce high-quality pears for consumers to enjoy. The automation and increased capacity are important as we prepare for future volume growth on pears.”
